Bullying
Busbee Creative Arts Academy Bully Prevention Program
Busbee Creative Arts Academy aims to provide a safe and peaceful learning environment in which bullying behaviors are not tolerated through its Bully Prevention Program. A summary of the characteristics and definition of a bullying situation and an overview of the Bulldogs Against Bullying Process is outlined below. Full implementation of the program will include the use of BAB referrals; education and counseling for victims, bullies and bystanders; implementation of conflict resolution and character education lessons; and information and education for parents.
Goal of Bully Prevention Program
Our goal is to educate bullies or those displaying bullying behaviors and empower non-bullying students to refuse to accept bullying behaviors and to help them develop empathy and offer healthy support for those who are being victimized. Through this, we will reduce bullying behavior.
Characteristics of Bulldogs Against Bullying
The characteristics of our Bully Prevention Program are
- a commitment from school personnel, students and parents to oppose all forms of bullying
- effective procedures in place to deal with bullying incidents
- immediate intervention and ongoing support for victims
- consequences, education and support to help the bullies change their behavior
- education and reinforcement of conflict resolution skills and strategies
- classroom guidance to educate students about bullying behaviors and to raise awareness of the school’s expectations
Bullying Defined
“Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.” -StopBullying.gov
BAB Bulldogs Against Bullying (BAB) Process
BAB forms are located in the Parent Center and online. A BAB form is a one-page form to be completed by students (bullies, victims, and bystanders).
Using the BAB Form
It is important to separate bullies and victims, not only to talk with them, but also to allow privacy in which to record his or her account of the incident.
Once the student has completed the BAB form, it should be submitted to the School Counselor.
What happens with the BAB form once it is turned in?
First Incident
- Student (bully, victim or bystander) completes a BAB form and submits it to teacher, Ms. Govan or online.
- Counselor meets with students individually (bully and victim) to gather information and to provide support.
- Counselor follows-up with students and teachers to make them aware of the situation if necessary.
- If the bully incident involves a threat or physical assault of any type, additional intervention shall include a referral to an administrator for assessment and appropriate follow-up with possible D-Note.
Second Incident
- Students complete a BAB form.
- Counselor meets with students individually and contacts parents.
- Counselor works with victim individually or in small group on empowerment skills and strategies.
- Counselor continues to work with bully individually on appropriate behaviors.
- Counselor follows up with team regarding interventions and parent contacts.
- If incident is deemed bullying, the discipline policy will be enforced.
Third Incident
- Students complete BAB form.
- Counselor meets with students individually and contacts parents.
- Counselor holds face-to-face conference with bully, parents and administrator to complete a “HIB” form.
- Counselor continues to work with bully individually on appropriate behaviors.
- Counselor continues to work with victim individually or in small group to review empowerment skills and strategies.
- Administration will continue to follow the discipline policy.
**Some incidents will be referred directly to administration and the discipline policy will be enforced.