JACKIE: Good. By taking a stand for Abigail, you set a strong expectation for all bullying incidents to be reported. Of course, it can be frustrating when you get push-back from a colleague or feel like you’re alone in your efforts. Since it’s hard to tackle bullying alone, how can we make sure our whole school gets involved?
First, build an inclusive environment to encourage positive change. Second, motivate bystanders to become upstanders and allies who take decisive action. Finally, reach out to support targeted students and aggressors and connect them with support. Let’s take a closer look at each one...
Getting the School Involved:
Build an Inclusive Environment
Motivate Bystanders to Become Upstanders and Allies
Reach Out and Connect
An inclusive environment encourages acceptance and safety for everyone. When you make yourself a visible supporter or a visible RFA liaison, students like Gabriel, Stephanie, and Abigail know there is someone they can go to.
Being an LGBTQ ally and posting rainbow stickers shows you’re available to help those who may feel marginalized. This lets students of all backgrounds know they are welcome and accepted.
Inclusive Environment:
Make yourself a visible supporter
Post inclusive visuals
Next, motivate bystanders to become upstanders and allies. By following Chancellor’s Regulation A-832, you can make sure all staff and students are taught how to identify bullying, know how to report incidents, and understand what the school will do about it.
Remind adults that they must intervene whenever they see or hear bullying of any kind. A report can be made by any school staff member to the RFA liaison, and must be filed within one school day. By acting swiftly, targeted students can be protected earlier from aggressive behavior.
And encourage students to report! Students who witness or have information about a bullying incident can go directly to the RFA liaison or contact the Office of Safety and Youth Development, or OSYD, by emailing [email protected]. Recommend students to report when they feel safe to do so, and assure them that any act of reprisal will have severe consequences.
Motivate Bystanders to Become Upstanders and Allies:
Follow Chancellor’s Regulation A-832
Remind staff to intervene immediately
Encourage students to report
OSYD - [email protected]
Finally, when you reach out to aggressors and victims, not only can you help uncover and resolve issues, but you can also refer them to ongoing support, such as the school counselor.
You can also connect families to other anti-bullying educational programs and workshops. These courses help students and parents respond to bullying outside of school and raise awareness within their community.
Reach Out and Connect:
Connect to counseling services
Connect to anti-bullying education programs
For additional guidance, you can find Chancellor’s Regulation A-832 -- and other helpful ideas -- in the Resources section of your menu.
Every time you address biased language, reach out to a marginalized student, or enforce your school’s bullying and reporting policy, you have a direct, positive impact on your students. Thank you for making your school a better place to grow and learn.