Monday, May 21, 2012

Pledges

School Faculty Pledge

I a faculty member of ______________________________ agree to join with others in my school and my community to stand united and take a firm stance against bullying in my school and in my community.

I ____________________________ believe that everyone, regardless of color, race, gender, popularity, athletic ability, intelligence, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, style of clothes, and physical looks, should have equal opportunities and rights to enjoy our schools, and do so while feeling safe.

Bullying consists of many things and include things such as; pushing, shoving, hitting, spitting on, pulling hair, kicking, calling names, making fun of, laughing at, and excluding someone from an activity. Bullying can never be justified, and is inexcusable in all circumstances. Being a bully cannot be contributed to “kids just being kids”, nor can it be contributed to “kids just teasing”. Bullying causes both physical and emotional pain to the victim. The victim is never the responsible person for being the target of a bullying attack.

By signing this pledge, I agree to:

1. I will aid our schools in the development of a clear and understandable policy in regards to bullying, and I will display these policies in a predominate place in my classroom, and around my school.

2. I will help train my fellow faculty members in the safe handling of bullying incidents.

3. I will help develop or adopt a curriculum that educates our community’s students about bullying.

4. I will teach my students about the forms of bullying that are less evident or obvious; things such as gossiping and exclusion.

5. I will discuss with students pro-active ways to combat bullying. (such as inviting a previously excluded student to join them for lunch)

6. I will help develop a support system for the students who are involved directly or indirectly with bullying. For example, peer to peer counseling or mediation.

7. I will help develop or adopt a support system for parents in order to inform them when their children are involved in incidents of bullying.

8. I will report all incidents of bullying that I see or am made aware of to an appropriate school faculty member or to local law enforcement.

9. I will strive to create a safe atmosphere where children will not be afraid to report incidents of bullying, nor will they feel that their reports will be ignored.

10. I will be there to support our community’s students who have been or are currently being bullied by others.

11. I will make sure that when a bullying incident does occur, that all students involved have an equal opportunity to state their version of the incident.

12. I will help my school in the implementation of consequences for the offenders in incidents of bullying. For example, verbal warnings, removal from a classroom or even removal from school grounds, require a verbal or written apology to the victim and their families, a mandatory parent/teacher/administrator meeting, detention, or even expulsion for the repeat offender.

13. I will help in the monitoring of individual incidents of bullying, and be fully informed as to their progress.

I ________________________________ am fully aware, and I acknowledge that if I see or become aware of a bullying incident, and I do not report it to the appropriate authorities, than I am just as guilty of bullying as the bully themselves.

Signed by: ______________________________________

Print Name: _____________________________________

Date: _________________________

Parent Pledge

I the parent of ______________________________ agree to join with others in our schools and our community to stand united and take a firm stance against bullying in our schools and in our community.

By signing this pledge, I agree to:

1. I will educate myself and my children in regards to our schools bullying policies and student support system.

2. I will report all incidents of bullying that I see or am made aware of to an appropriate school faculty member or to local law enforcement.

3. I will continually strive to work in a partnership with my child’s school and with my community and make an effort to encourage positive behavior, while valuing individual differences, and promoting sensitivity and acceptance of others.

4. I will be there to support our community’s students who have been or are currently being bullied by others.

5. I will take a step out of my comfort zone to talk to my friends, family, and others in my community about issues and concerns that arise concerning bullying.

6. I will consistently make an effort to work with students, school faculty, and community members to come up with ways to effectively deal with bullying in our schools and community.

7. I will talk with, and encourage my community’s teachers to discuss bullying issues within our classrooms.

8. I will regularly discuss with my child issues surrounding their school work, their friendships, and their relationships.

9. I will keep my child’s teachers informed of any circumstances at home that might affect or alter my child’s behavior at school.

I ________________________________ am fully aware, and I acknowledge that whether or not my child is the one doing the bullying, if I see or become aware of a bullying incident, and I do not report it to the appropriate authorities, than I am just as guilty of bullying as the bully themselves.

Signed by: ______________________________________

Print Name: _____________________________________

Date: _________________________

Student Pledge

I a student of ______________________________ agree to join with others in my school and community to stand united and take a firm stance against bullying in my school and in my community.

By signing this pledge, I agree to:

1. I will value the fact that everyone is different in one way or another, and I will treat everyone with the respect they deserve.

2. I will never become a bully, nor will I engage with others involved with bullying.

3. I will educate myself in regards to my schools bullying policies and student support system.

4. I will report all incidents of bullying that I see or am made aware of to an appropriate school faculty member.

5. I will keep my eyes and ears open and be more alert and aware when I am in places in my school where there is less adult supervision available. Places such as the bathrooms, hallways, and outside play areas.

6. I will be there to support fellow students who have been or are currently being bullied by others.

7. I will take a step out of my comfort zone to talk to my friends, family, and others in my community about issues and concerns that arise concerning bullying.

8. I will consistently make an effort to work with other students, school faculty, and community members to come up with ways to effectively deal with bullying in my school and community.

9. I will talk with, and encourage my teachers to discuss bullying issues within our classrooms.

10. I will be a good role model to the younger students of my school and community and I will be there to support them if bullying occurs.

11. I will contribute and participate wholeheartedly and fully during assemblies or other activities regarding bullying both in my school and in my community.

I ________________________________ am fully aware, and I acknowledge that whether or not I am the one doing the bullying, if I see or become aware of a bullying incident, and I do not report it to an appropriate adult, than I am just as guilty of bullying as the bully themselves.

Signed by: ______________________________________

Print Name: _____________________________________

Date: _________________________