The Buzz About Bullying on The Buzz About Bullying on BusesBuses

Carole KerkinCarole Kerkin

January 2012January 2012

Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda

The New LawThe New Law CREC PolicyCREC Policy Working on the Developing aWorking on the Developing a

Positive Bus ClimatePositive Bus Climate Intervening with Bullying BehaviorIntervening with Bullying Behavior A Word on Harassment versus A Word on Harassment versus

BullyingBullying What You Can Do!What You Can Do!

The LawThe Law

On July 1, 2011, On July 1, 2011, An Act Concerning An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws, Laws, Public Act No. 11 – 232 was Public Act No. 11 – 232 was enacted in CT.enacted in CT.

Some of the provisions took place Some of the provisions took place immediately while others do not immediately while others do not apply until July 1, 2012.apply until July 1, 2012.

Revisions Enacted July 1, Revisions Enacted July 1, 20112011

Public Act No 11 – 232 Public Act No 11 – 232 significantly significantly changes and expands the legal changes and expands the legal definition of bullying.definition of bullying.

Changes to the DefinitionChanges to the Definition

Old NewOld New

Face-to-Face Electronically tooFace-to-Face Electronically too

In-School Bus, bus stop,In-School Bus, bus stop,

in communityin community

In one school year Over many yearsIn one school year Over many years

Changes to the DefinitionChanges to the Definition

New:New: Causes significant impact on the Causes significant impact on the

student,student, Disrupts the educational Disrupts the educational

environment,environment, Creates a hostile environment for the Creates a hostile environment for the

student.student.

Districts must identify a “Safe School Climate Districts must identify a “Safe School Climate Coordinator” (done – not due until 7/01/12),Coordinator” (done – not due until 7/01/12),

Each school must identify a “Safe School Each school must identify a “Safe School Climate Specialist” (done – not due until Climate Specialist” (done – not due until 7/01/12),7/01/12),

Each school must create a “Safe School Each school must create a “Safe School Climate Committee with parent Climate Committee with parent representation.representation.

Responsibilities for Schools Responsibilities for Schools and Districts ( and Districts (New)New)

Responsibilities for Schools and Responsibilities for Schools and Districts (Districts (New)New)

Student, Staff and Parent Student, Staff and Parent Assessments must be completed by Assessments must be completed by 7/2012,7/2012,

Safe School Climate Plans must be Safe School Climate Plans must be completed by 1/01/12,completed by 1/01/12,

““Student Safety Support Plans” must Student Safety Support Plans” must be completed for all verified acts of be completed for all verified acts of bullying.bullying.

The BIG The BIG (New)(New) Responsibilities Responsibilities for Schools and Districts for Schools and Districts

All parties must be informed All parties must be informed regarding the new law,regarding the new law,

We must focus on prevention,We must focus on prevention, We must train ALL school employees We must train ALL school employees

how to identify, report, prevent and how to identify, report, prevent and intervene with bullying,intervene with bullying,

Report, report, report!!!Report, report, report!!!

CREC’s Anti - Bullying CREC’s Anti - Bullying PolicyPolicy

Uses the same language as the law,Uses the same language as the law, Was created by our attorney with help Was created by our attorney with help

from the CT State Department of from the CT State Department of Education,Education,

Is to be followed by all CREC Is to be followed by all CREC employees,employees,

Helps guide our practice.Helps guide our practice.

Developing aDeveloping aPositive Bus ClimatePositive Bus Climate

A positive climate is one where students A positive climate is one where students feel: connected, respected and safe.feel: connected, respected and safe.

What does this look and sound like?What does this look and sound like? Adults listen and care,Adults listen and care, Students are kept safe by the adults Students are kept safe by the adults

onon the bus,the bus, There are rules to be followed,There are rules to be followed,

Developing aDeveloping aPositive Bus ClimatePositive Bus Climate

Rules are modeled by drivers and Rules are modeled by drivers and monitors,monitors,

Rules are consistently applied,Rules are consistently applied, Rules are reinforced and violations Rules are reinforced and violations

consequenced calmly and quietly,consequenced calmly and quietly, The rules are known by all and The rules are known by all and

practiced,practiced, Children and adults are happy and in-Children and adults are happy and in-

control.control.

The “R” WordThe “R” Word

When there is a strong, positive bond between a driver and his or her students, behavior on the bus tends to be positive and less problematic for the driver.

If it’s mean; intervene!If it’s mean; intervene!

(But how???)(But how???)

InterventionsInterventions

While the bus is in motion: Give verbal warnings, using students’

names whenever possible, Call your school or supervisor, Avoid “stare downs” using the rear

view mirror.

InterventionsInterventions

When the bus is stopped: Have students change seats, Talk with students who bully and/or are

bullied, This should be done individually to avoid potentially re-igniting the bullying situation,

Implement seat assignments based on district policy,

Request assistance from school or teachers as appropriate.

InterventionsInterventions

If student or driver safety becomes a concern:

1.Always follow district policies, 2.Stop the bus in a safe place out of traffic, 3.Secure the bus. 4.Stand up and speak clearly and calmly

to the student(s) who are bullying another student or students.

InterventionsInterventions

5.Change the seat of the student who was bullying and/or the student being bullied, if needed, to a safe seat (the Carole rule on this),

6.Never put a student off the bus except at school or at his or her residence or school bus stop,

7.When intervening, use caution not to challenge or provoke a student who is bullying because it may initiate further negative behavior.

InterventionsInterventions

Hands off. Don’t place your hands on students except to protect them in an immediate emergency.

Don’t try to “assist” a student into the seat by forcing him or her down.

Any physical contact between bus driver or attendant and student must be an absolute last resort in an emergency situation.

InterventionsInterventionsKeep your cool: DO—Appear calm, centered, and

self-assured; use a modulated low tone of voice. Be aware of options. Be very respectful even when firmly setting limits or calling for help.

DON’T—Be defensive even if the comments or insults are directed at you.you.

InterventionsInterventions

Communicate Effectively Nonverbally:

DO—Allow extra physical space between you and the aggressor, get to the same eye level, keep your hands out of your pockets to protect yourself, and stand at an angle to the student.

DON’T—Turn your back, stand full front to the student, maintain constant eye contact, point or shake your finger, smile, or argue.

De-escalate the Discussion DO—Trust your instincts, empathize with feelings but

not with the behavior, suggest alternatives, and explain limits in a firm but respectful tone.

DON’T—Get loud, yell, scream, argue, or analyze.

InterventionsInterventions

De-escalate the Discussion: DO—Trust your instincts, empathize

with feelings but not with the behavior, suggest alternatives, and explain limits in a firm but respectful tone.

DON’T—Get loud, yell, scream, argue, or analyze.

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do

The new legislation clearly indicates The new legislation clearly indicates that any SUSPECTED act of bullying that any SUSPECTED act of bullying must be brought to the attention of must be brought to the attention of the Safe School Climate Specialist.the Safe School Climate Specialist.

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do

Get to know your passengers – names and all,Get to know your passengers – names and all, Work on developing good relationships with Work on developing good relationships with

students,students, Post your simple rules, practice and model them,Post your simple rules, practice and model them, Deal with disciplinary issues quietly and calmly,Deal with disciplinary issues quietly and calmly, Report any behavior that looks or feels like Report any behavior that looks or feels like

bullying to school staff – we will investigate!bullying to school staff – we will investigate! Ask for help when you need it!Ask for help when you need it!

The EndThe End

Travel Happy!Travel Happy!