Become an Ally
One out of every four students, which is 22%, report being
bullied during the school year according to the National Center
for Educational Statistics. However, according to McCallion and
Feder school-based bullying prevention programs decrease
bullying by up to 25%. Yankton’s Webster Elementary School
is a great example of taking that extra step to prevent bullying
and keep kids feeling safe at school. Melanie Ryken, Webster’s
principal, said that while the staff felt they were doing all they
could to stop bullying, they felt that there were better tools out
there to help them go even further. “Overwhelmingly, the staff
was interested in becoming trained even if that meant giving
up a few days in the summer to devote to learning about it,
training additional staff, and implementing it at Webster.”
Webster is currently using the Olweus Bullying Prevention
Program, which is the most researched and best-known
bullying prevention program available today. The program
began at Webster in the summer of 2012 when a group of
12 staff members became trained. After the initial group was
trained, they in-turn trained the entire staff. Monthly committee
meetings were then held to plan for the implementation with
the students. “We developed the Webster rules for anti-bullying,
designed a rubric and report for consequences, learned how
to intervene on the spot, began classroom meetings with the
students, informed the parents, got parent/student buy-in,
conducted an online bullying questionnaire for older students,
and made an anti-bullying video to share our passion.” In
addition to this, they also made it personal to Webster by
making a BIG deal every fall at their kick-off assembly. And
of course there is the annual video the staff and students
put together every year, which not only involves everyone but
adds that extra personal touch. Mrs. Christensen plans and
conducts the video and it involves each and every student.
The video is something the students, staff, and even parents
look forward to every year. Local businesses and community
members have also helped make this program a big deal by
funding a free anti-bullying t-shirt. “We feel it is important to
spread the word...not just at school; but at the gym, in the
store, and around the community.
The program deals with all forms of bullying. “We have seen
the action of the program outside of school as well. Such as
12vHERVOICEvSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
at football games while supervising. In addition, parents have
notified us that they’ve seen their kids or others at Webster be
allies at games and as they get older and move on.” In regards
to cyber bullying, Melanie says “the definition of bullying
remains the same whether it’s verbal, physical, or indirect.” The
consequences are the same on the rubric, and if it happens
in a venue other than the school...the deciding factor is if it
influences what is happening at school. If it is, then the staff
addresses it.
When bullying is reported there are 6 steps for “on the spot
bullying interventions.”
1. Stop the bullying.
2. Support the student being bullied.
3. To the student who is bullying - we name the bullying
behavior and refer to the 4 anti-bullying rules.
4. Empower bystanders.
5. Give immediate consequences.
6. Take steps to protect the student who was bullied from
future bullying.
“We are much more in tune to what bullying is and what
defines bullying. We have learned how to empower students
to stand up to bullying and become allies.” Melanie believes
that implementing this program has strengthened the staff
and students. From the very beginning, Melanie and the staff
have only received positive reactions and comments from the
parents and even the students themselves. The staff keeps the
parents informed and invites them to the functions; such as
the kick-off assemblies each fall.
“We have noticed a decrease in bullying behaviors and
most importantly, we have noticed an increase in the number
of allies.” When students are spotted being an ally, the school
sends home a postcard to the parents. “Students are learning
-- stop being a bystander and become an ally.” Melanie believes
“most definitely” that this program can stop bullying. “We have
seen the first hand effects in addition to the overwhelming
research for the program.”
If you are still curious about bullying and the program at
Webster, Melanie included information given from the Olweus
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