Character and Anti-Bullying Information

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2016-17

One of the first Disney movies I remember watching as a child was Bambi.  One of my favorite quotes comes from this movie and I teach the children the “Thumper Rule”.  As you all probably remember, Thumper made fun of Flower, the skunk, because he said a skunk could not be a flower.  His mother told him “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all”.  There are so many problems that are caused because we forget this very simple rule.   

Broadus Wood Anti-Bullying Promise:

I, AS A STUDENT AT BROADUS WOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,

PROMISE...

I      I will speak up instead of acting as a bystander.

             I choose to participate in activities that don’t involve teasing.

            I forgive others if they make poor choices. 

            I model good behavior  

I      I ACCEPT OTHERS FOR THEIR DIFFERENCES. 

            I INCLUDE OTHERS IN GROUP SITUATIONS 

I      I WILL TALK TO AN ADULT WHEN THERE IS A SITUATION I CANNOT MANAGE ON MY OWN. 

           I AM POWERFUL IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MY SCHOOL.

AGE-APPROPRIATE FAIRNESS DEFINITIONS

1)      3-4 year olds define fairness as whatever they want.

2)      5-6 year olds are beginning to know that others have rights and they are more interested in conforming to rules

3)      7-9 year olds are beginning to know right from wrong.  They sometimes use this distinction to act as a tattle tale.  They are becoming more social.  While playing games, many may unintentionally break the rules because they can’t remember to do 2 things at once – what they are supposed to do to follow the rules and what they want to do.

 

Broadus Wood Anti-Bullying Promise:

I, AS A STUDENT AT BROADUS WOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,

PROMISE...

1.  I will speak up instead of acting as a bystander. 
2. I choose to participate in activities that don’t involve teasing.
3. I forgive others if they make poor choices.
4. I model good behavior  
5.  I ACCEPT OTHERS FOR THEIR DIFFERENCES. 
6.  I INCLUDE OTHERS IN GROUP SITUATIONS 
7.  I WILL TALK TO AN ADULT WHEN THERE IS A SITUATION I CANNOT MANAGE ON MY OWN.  
8.  I AM POWERFUL IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MY SCHOOL.

 
During the month of February, we have been focusing on taking responsibility for our actions.    Does your child take responsibility for their actions?  Does your child do what they are supposed to do without being prompted?  These are the children that we are hoping to produce.  Remember to help your child learn to be a responsible person through modeling the wanted behavior and correcting your child when they do not act responsibly. 

During the month of December, we have been focusing on service to others.  We all need to remember this time of year is called the Season of Giving and not the Season of Getting.  To help your children become a more service and giving minded person, help them to become involved in activities where they are involved in giving of themselves without getting anything in return.  This can be a yearlong activity, however this time of the year has lost of options where your children and your family can get involved in community service projects.

Character Focus

During the month of November, we are focusing on the Lifelong Guideline of Respect.  Treating other with respect means using the Golden Rule of treating others the way you would want to be treated.  You can show respect by being tolerant of differences, using good manners, considering the feelings of others, and dealing with problems peacefully.

When we are respectful, we make sure our actions will only help, not hurt others.  When we stop and think about how our choices might make someone else feel, we prevent hurt feelings and are able to understand others better.  By showing respect for the feelings of others, we let others know they can count on us and help others feel safe.

Bully Proof Your Child

The first step to eliminating bullying is to teach children to be respectful.  A first step is to filter your speech and make sure that what is said is respectful of other people. 

T –Is what you are saying TRUE?

H – Is what you are saying HELPFUL?

I – Is what you are saying INSPIRING?

N – Is what you are saying NECESSARY?

K – Is what you are saying KIND?

CHARACTER FOCUS

We are focusing on a different character trait every month.  October’s character trait is TRUSTWORTHINESS.  

 A person who is trustworthy is honest, reliable, and loyal.  Take the opportunity to point out to your child people on television, in the movies or in your personal life that shows the character trait of trustworthiness.   

You are looking for people who 1) do not deceive others, cheat or steal, 2) do what they say they will do, 3) have the courage to do the right thing, 4) has a good reputation, 5) and stands for family, friends and country.

BULLY PROOF YOUR CHILD

A person has the right to be treated respectfully and to strive to achieve their goals.  This section is dedicated to sharing information that will help bully proof your child’s life.

To help a child combat bullying, an understanding of the difference in someone being mean and bullying has to occur. 

1)    BEING MEAN – when a person uses bullying behaviors (teasing, excluding, name calling, physically hurting, talking behind a person’s back, etc) toward another person. 

STRATEGY - the child needs to stand up for himself or his friend when the mean behaviors happen.  After trying to solve the problem 3 times, the child needs to seek the help of the teacher or adult.

2)    BULLYING – when  a person uses bullying behaviors

R – REPEATED (OVER AND OVER AGAIN – MORE THAN 3 TIMES)

I – INTENTIONAL (THE PERSON DOES THE BEHAVIOR ON PURPOSE KNOWING WHAT WILL HAPPEN)

P – POWER IMBALANCE (SIZE OR AGE, NUMBER OF CHILDREN INVOLVED, SOCIAL POWER)

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.  THE QUICKER THEY STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS, THE LEAST LIKELY THE BEHAVIOR WILL TURN INTO BULLYING.