This PowerPoint provides a summary of Massachusetts law on bullying and provides resources with hyperlinks on bullying topics.

1. Anti-Bullying Information and Resourcesfor Educators, Parents and Students Franklin Public Schools Anti-Bullying Task Force 2010-2011

2. As the school year gets underway, public and non-public school leaders are working to implement the requirements of the new bullying prevention and intervention law, M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O, as added by Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010. The Department believes strongly that bullying prevention and intervention strategies will be most effective when they are part of a broader approach by schools and districts to ensure safe and supportive learning environments for students. Introduction:

3. The new bullying prevention law may be found in its entirety at: http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2010/Chapter92 School districts, charter schools, Department-approved private special education schools, and collaborative schools must submit their Plans to the Department by December 31, 2010. The Bullying Prevention Law:

5. Prohibition Against Bullying Bullying is prohibited: on school grounds, on property immediately adjacent to school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function, or program, whether it takes place on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased, or used by a school district or school, Summary of the Law

6. Bullying is also prohibited: through the use of technology or an electronic device that is owed, leased or used by a school district or school (for example, on a computer or over the Internet), at any program or location that is not school-related, or through the use of personal technology or electronic device, if the bullying creates a hostile environment at school for the target, infringes on the rights of the target at school, or materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying is prohibited. Summary of the Law (Cont.)

7. Reporting Bullying Anyone, including a parent or guardian, student, or school staff member, can report bullying or retaliation. Reports can be made in writing or orally to the principal or another staff member, or reports may be made anonymously. School staff members must report immediately to the principal or his/her designee if they witness or become aware of bullying or retaliation. Staff members include, but are not limited to, educators, administrators, counselors, school nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, athletic coaches, advisors to an extracurricular activity, or paraprofessionals. When the school principal or his/her designee receives a report, he or she shall promptly conduct an investigation. If the school principal or designee determines that bullying or retaliation has occurred, he or she shall (i) notify the parents or guardians of the target, and to the extent consistent with state and federal law, notify them of the action taken to prevent any further acts of bullying or retaliation; (ii) notify the parents or guardians of a aggressor; (iii) take appropriate disciplinary action; and (iv) notify the local law enforcement agency if the school principal or designee believes that criminal charges may be pursued against the aggressor. Additional Components:

8. Professional Development for School and District Staff: Schools and districts must provide ongoing professional development to increase the skills of all staff members to prevent, identify, and respond to bullying. The content of such professional development is to include, but not be limited to: (i) developmentally appropriate strategies to prevent bullying incidents; (ii) developmentally appropriate strategies for immediate, effective interventions to stop bullying incidents; (iii) information regarding the complex interaction and power differential that can take place between and among an aggressor, target, and witnesses to the bullying; (iv) research findings on bullying, including information about specific categories of students who have been show to be particularly at risk for bullying in the school environment; (v) information on the incidence and nature of cyberbullying; and (vi) Internet safety issues as they relate to cyberbullying. Additional information about the school’s or district’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan will be made available when it is finalized. Additional Components (Cont.)

10. Information about the definitions of bullying as well as the reporting protocols and administrative responsibilities has been included in each schools’ Parent/Guardian Handbook. Handbooks are available online at each schools’ website and also in hard copy format at the individual schools. Students are encouraged to report incidents of possible bullying to a trusted adult such as a parent/guardian, teacher, principal or school counselor, who will assist him/her at once. District Protocol:

11. “A Bully Free School”-Educational Leadership Dec.’09-Jan. ‘10, (pgs. 75-78). “Helping Teen Girls Deal With the Hidden Culture of Female Aggression” “Girls Interrupted” by Jan Hoffman in The New York Times, Aug. 15, 2010 (p. ST1, 9). “There’s Only One Way to Stop a Bully” by Susan Engel and Marlene Sandstrom in The New York Times, July 23, 2010 (p. A19). “Online Bullies Pull Schools Into the Fray” by Jan Hoffman in The New York Times, June 28, 2010 (p. 1, 12, 13). Cyberbullying and Suicide Fact Sheet Current Articles:

12. “Bullied to Death?” by John Cloud in Time Magazine, October 18, 2010 (p. 60-63). “The Elephant on the Playground” by Jill Vialet in Principal, Nov./Dec. at www.naesp.org. Deadly Bullying: A Special Report in People Magazine, October 18, 2010 (p. 56-69). Current Articles (Cont.)

14. Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

15. Anti-Defamation League

16. The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander (Updated Edition) by Barbara ColorosoMore Resources for Educators:

17. Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center: www.marccenter.org Queen Bees and Wannabees: Helping your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends and the New Realities of Girl World by Rosalind Wiseman PBS Parents: www.pbs.org/parents/itsmylife/resources/bullies.htmlUS Dept. of Health and Human Services: Stop Bullying Now: www.stopbullynow.gov Federation for Children with Special Needs-VulnerableTargets:http://www.fcsn.org/publications_resources/newsline/nlv30n3.pdf Resources for Parents/Guardians and the Public:

18. Kids Health-Resources for parents, kids and teens: www.kidshealth.org Anti-Defamation League: http://regions.adl.org/plains-states/news/adl-addresses-bullying-on.html http://cyberbullying.us/index.php Why Good Kids Act Cruel: The Hidden Truth about the Pre-Teen Years by Carl E. Pickhardt More Resources for Parents and the Public:

19. Bootsie Barker Bites by Barbara Bottner Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes Just Kidding by Trudy Ludwig My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig Nobody Knew What to Do by Albert Whitman Oliver Button is a Sissy by TomiedePaola The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill Say Something by Peggy Moss Suitcase by Mildred Pitts Walter Thank You, Mr. Falkerby Patricia Polacco Weslandia by Paul Fleischman Books for Elementary Students:

20. Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls by Rachel Simmons Sticks and Stones: Teens Write About Bullying by Hope Vanderberg and Keith Hefner Hoot by Carl Hiasson The Revealersby Doug Wilhelm Books for Middle/High Students:

21. “And It’s You” Pamphlet: Some Unusual Facts about Online Safety “Rachel’s Challenge” Information “Teen Angels” Information Additional Resources for Teens:

22. “Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.” Anonymous Final Thought