712 North Eugene Street Greensboro, NC 27401 P 336.370.8100

To: Cabinet

From: Dr. Charlos Banks, Executive Director of Student Services

Re: Bullying Prevention and Safe and Drug Free Schools Update

Date: October 16, 2017

Our students’ ability to learn in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment is one of the top priorities for the Student Services Department. One critical component is to ensure students are free from harassment, bullying, discrimination, and barriers to learning presented by substance abuse. Intentional efforts around bullying, substance abuse prevention, and creating inclusive school communities have been developed by Counseling Services, School Support and Drug Free Schools (SSADFS), and Character Development. In October, there are national events that support these departments; National Bullying Prevention Month, Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31), Character Counts Week (October 15 – 21) and Unity Day (October 25).

School counselors in Guilford County Schools (GCS) received a Beginning of the Year Handbook and Checklist, which includes bullying prevention protocols and resources. The resources include Tips for Students, Tips to Help the Bullying Bystander and Ten Actions ALL Parents Can Take to Eliminate Bullying. In addition, school counselors have access to the GCS Bullying Prevention website which includes how to report bullying, the definition of bullying and what individuals should do about bullying and/or cyberbullying.

School Support and Drug Free Schools provide a variety of resources to School Social Workers (SSW) which enables effective substance abuse (SA) prevention and intervention. The School Social Workers receive training on the following resources; SA Prevention Calendar, RESPOND!, Behavior Checklist, Warning Signs of Problem Drug Abuse, Children Living with Addiction, Strategies for Working with Parents, as well as information on alternative to suspension programs for incidents involving tobacco alcohol or other drugs (Tobacco Education Classes, ASAP and Lifestyles). In addition, training on alternative to suspension programs include the referral process and an emphasis on continuity of care and follow up with attending students.

Additional resources for schools provided through Student Services in October include:

• The Character Development Department developed a district-wide tool, GCSStands Strong To Be Mindful, Be Fearless, Be Find for teachers and support staff

712 North Eugene Street Greensboro, NC 27401 P 336.370.8100

to engage in proactive steps to address bullying in order to create a safe, caring, and inclusive school culture. With this resource, students learn about mindfulness, how to be fearless and truly understand what bullying looks like, as well as different ways to be kind and a make a difference within their school community.

• School counselors are directly supporting their schools in hosting activities such

as Unity Day, which focuses on safe and supportive school communities.

• SSADFS offers to school social workers multiple instructional resources for school-wide prevention campaigns related to Red Ribbon Week and peer led prevention teams (S.M.A.R.T.). SSADFS hosts a Lending Library for school-based staff to access in order to enhance classroom lessons and prevention campaigns.

Attached: Reb Ribbon Week Activities, UNITY Day Toolkit, GCS Stands Strong To Be Mindful, Be Fearless, Be Kind

GCS Character Development Department servicelearning@gcsnc.com

GCS STANDS STRONG TO BE MINDFUL, BE FEARLESS, BE KIND

October 2017 National Bullying Prevention Month

“More than one out of every five (20.8%) students report being bullied” (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2016). Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts. There are a number of things school staff can do to make schools safer and prevent bullying.

The GCS Character Development Department is highlighting specific steps to guide students through being mindful, being fearless, and being kind. Research states that, “school-based bullying prevention programs decrease bullying by up to 25%” (McCallion & Feder, 2013).

Week of October 16

Be Mindful, Character Counts!

“Mindfulness practices help the bully, victim, and any witnesses involved develop a deeper awareness of themselves, resilience, compassion, and a greater ability to regulate their emotional responses,” Janice Houlihan, mindfulness teacher and Co-Founder of Inner Explorer

Character Counts Week (October 15-21)Focuses on establishing a positive school climate and instilling critical academic, social and emotional skills, as well as core character traits.

Walking Meditation1. Practice mindfully walking with students by having them walk in a circle.

2. Tell them to take one step, think about feeling their heels on the floor, then their toes. What else are they feeling? Tell them to notice how they breath – are they breathing fast, or slow? Are they breathing in rhythm with their stepping? Are you walking faster than others around you? Slower?

3. Once the students have practiced, give them a phrase or concept to think about as they walk from one place to another.

Debrief: What was it like to pay attention to your steps, your breath? Did other ideas come to mind when you were to focus on the specific phrase/concept? What was it like to come back to the present moment? Did you notice anything interesting or surprising?

Watch Your Mind 1. For 2 minutes, have your students sit in silence to focus on the thoughts that

run through their minds for a set amount of time.

Debrief: Ask students what thoughts came across their mind. Were they happy thoughts, anxious thoughts?

2. For 3 minutes, have students think about something that makes them happy, share with a shoulder partner and have a brief discussion about why this thought makes them happy.

3. For 2 minutes, have students to sit in silence and focus on the happy thought they discussed.

Debrief: How was this different than the first two minutes of focusing on your thoughts? How did you feel when you had to control your mind to focus on the happy thoughts? Was it challenging or easy to focus your mind back on the happy thoughts?

Don’t Just React To Thoughts. Decide.1. Have students to think about a time where they thought negatively of someone.

Have students ask themselves, “Was this useful, did the negative thought change anything?”, “How would I feel if someone thought that way about me?”

2. Next, ask students, “Did that negative thought trigger you to act out negatively?”, “Were there consequences to your actions?”, “How could you have reacted differently, if you took the time to be mindful of others’ feelings and thought about the possible negative consequences?”

Debrief: We have the power to control our thoughts and actions. Often times we allow other people to control our thoughts and actions. Do you want others to control you? Why is it important to maintain self-control?

Week of October 23

Be Fearless and Unite!

“More than half of bullying situations (57%) stop when a peer intervenes on behalf of the student being bullied.” (Hawkins, Pepler, & Craig, 2001)

Unity DayOctober 25This day focuses on safe and supportive schools and communities. On this day everyone can come together – in schools, communities, and online – and send one large ORANGE message of support, hope, and unity to show that we are together against bullying and united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.

What is Bullying?Students will work with a small group to discuss what bullying is and share how they would react in different bullying scenarios.

Stand Up for Others Encourage students to stand up for others. Engage students in a conversation reflecting on their mindful exercises. Now it’s time to be mindful of others. Discuss the following questions with students:

1. How does it feel when someone speaks negatively about you?

2. How does it feel when someone speaks negatively about you and others are listening?

3. How does it feel to watch innocent people get hurt?

4. What can you say to someone who is hurting an innocent person?

Remind students that if they don’t feel safe get the help of an adult immediately. Be part of the solution -- not the problem!

Conversations Amongst PeersMeet with students and discuss how they can change the culture at school. Use the “Who Lives Here” document to lead a classroom and/or school walkabout to recognize how diversity is embraced in the classroom and/or at school. Through this experience, students have an opportunity to change the culture and climate of the school by identifying areas of growth in order to create an environment that is welcoming to all.

Week of October 30

Be Kind and Make A Difference!

“Just like a drop of water, our kind acts can ripple out into our school and broader community to make the world a kinder and more caring place. By choosing kindness, we are helping to promote healthy relationships and prevent bullying from happening.” The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. www.randomactsofkindness.org

Make A Difference DayOctober 28This is one of the largest annual single- days of service nationwide.

Motivational Cards Students can create cards for their peers during lunch and/or before/after school for school staff and attendance teams to give to students with chronic absences during informal meetings, homework pickup, home visits, and other times as needed.

Creating a Kind Community at SchoolStudents will create an action plan on how they can create a kinder community at school. Creating a kind and caring school requires a whole school approach where everyone has a role to play in preventing bullying and promoting positive relationships.

Mix It Up Day – October 31Mix It Up at Lunch Day is an international campaign that encourages students to identify, question and cross social boundaries. Invite students to sit, eat, and have conversations with peers they typically do not spend time. Guide students to mixing it up by using random selection processes to group students together for lunch.

https://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up

RESOURCES• Ashoka’s Start Empathy Initiative in collaboration with generationOn,

generously sponsored by the Hasbro Children’s Fund

• Character Counts

• GCS Character Development Department, Global Youth Services Day Publication Teaching Tolerance www.tolerance.org

• Make a Difference Day

• Mindfulness: 5 Secrets To Making Your Mind Happy http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2016/01/mindfulness/

• Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center

• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Stop Bullying Federal Government website https://www.stopbullying.gov/prevention/at-school/index.html

• STOMP Out Bullying, 2007 - 2017 www.STOMPOutBullying.org

• The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. www.randomactsofkindness.org

School Support & Drug Free Schools 2017

Red Ribbon Week 2017

October 23-27

Your Future is Key, so Stay Drug Free

The Red Ribbon is a symbol of our community’s commitment towards the creation of a drug free America. Your school community creates a safe and drug free place where students can learn and grow every day. Thank you for all you do to engage students, staff and families in a week of activities, which focus on healthy drug free lifestyles.

The enclosed information packet offers ideas and suggestions of ways your school can celebrate Red Ribbon Week. You may also contact us to borrow resources from our lending library for this week and throughout the year.

Share the story of Enrique Camarena with your students and honor his work, commitment and memory. Show your celebration with artwork and fun activities. Let us promote our joy for living healthy lifestyles by teaching children how fun it can be to stay healthy and strong in body and character.

History

Red Ribbon Week was founded in honor of Enrique Camarena, a drug enforcement agent in Mexico who was tortured and killed by drug traffickers in the line of duty in 1985. He grew up in a dirt-floored house with hopes and dreams of making a difference. Enrique worked his way through college, served in the Marines and then became a police officer. In honor of Camarena’s memory and work, parents, friends, and neighbors began to wear red ribbons of satin and forming coalitions against drug use. Red Ribbon campaigns were organized by the National Family Partnership in 1988, as an effort to protect children from the dangers of drugs. Guilford County Schools and many communities across the nation use this important week to continue promoting and celebrating healthy and drug free lifestyles through a variety of activities within the schools.

School Support & Drug Free Schools 2017

Ideas for Red Ribbon Week activities 2017 RRW Theme

See below for big ideas related to this year’s theme:

• Draw a large outline of a key and have the class post their drawings or statements that represents a drug free lifestyle. Students can list healthy activities, goals and/or their “anti-drug” (depending on grade level).

• Have students draw their own key and fill it in with an antidrug message. Cut out the keys and decorate the hall or classroom door along with this year’s theme.

• “What Are Your Keys to Success?” Essay Contest

Daily Themes and Dress

Often schools choose to develop a calendar of themes and specified dress items related to substance abuse prevention. This can be fun for the students and staff, while providing a focus for the day and can be enhanced by other activities in the school. Below is a list of ideas for themes of dress:

• Put a Cap on Drugs – Wear your favorite cap or hat to celebrate a drug free life • Give Drugs the Slip – Wear slippers • Team up Against Drugs – Wear your favorite team t-shirt or jersey • Sock it to Drugs – Wear Crazy socks • Dress for Success – dress to impress • Career Day or My future is Bright without Drugs - Dress as what you want to be when

you grow up • United We Stand – Dress in red, white and blue to show your patriotism • Join the Fight Against Drugs – Wear camouflage • Drugs Turn You Inside Out – Wear clothes inside out • Too Bright to Do Drugs – Wear white • Lei Off Drugs – Wear something Hawaiian • Give Drugs the Boot – Western wear • Living Drug Free – No Sweat – Wear Sweat clothes • Character Day – Dress as a character in a book that demonstrates character • Peace Out to Drugs – Wear 1960’s hippie fashion • Don’t Flip for Drugs – Wear flip flops or sandals • Follow Your Dreams; Don’t Do Drugs – Wear pajamas • Educate Yourself About Drugs – Wear your favorite college t-shirt • Scare Away Drugs – Wear a Halloween costume (Be specific about what is allowed)

School Support & Drug Free Schools 2017

• Drug Free from Head to Toe – Wear crazy hats and socks • Say Yes to Play and Exercise – Wear sneakers • Say Yes to Healthy Heart & Body – Wear red • Staying Clean Day – Well dressed and groomed while choosing to be drug free

Contests & Drawings

• Daily Drawing – All students receive a bookmark on Monday. Each day 10 student names are called out. If the student still has their bookmark, they receive a small prize.

• Essay / Poem & Poster contest – Students are encouraged to participate in writing a poem / essay or creating a poster that has an Anti-drug message. Winning posters can be displayed and winning poems and essays can be shared during announcements.

• Rap contest – Students can create anti-drug raps; the winners can share it with their school.

• Trivia Activity – During morning announcements, a trivia question can be asked about a key statistic or a harmful effect/behavior stemming from drug use, abuse, or addiction. During the day students can submit their answers (collection method to be determined at your school). Students should write their names on the answers they submit. The winners will include the first ten papers chosen with the correct answer. Student’s names can be announced and/or a small prize is given.

Bulletin Boards & Displays

• Drug Facts Bulletin Board – Post meaningful drug free quotes, images /word art. • Red Ribbon Bulletin Board – Cover board in red paper and put “Respect Yourself. Be

Drug Free” across the top. Attach a pen on a string and invite staff, parents and students to sign the drug free pledge.

• Pledge Card Bulletin Board – Fill a bulletin board with signed pledge cards. • Anti - Drug Bulletin Board – Display posters that students have created to spread their

anti-drug messages. • Anti-Drug Wall – Wall space will be reserved for each grade level to post their favorite

hobbies and free time activities instead of using drugs/alcohol. • Born to be Drug Free Wall – Teachers will post their baby pictures on a wall for students

to guess which baby pictures match their current teachers’ faces. • Tape pledge cards to wall and spell out an anti-drug message or the title, Red Ribbon

Week. • Have students sign pledge cards and put in a container to be drawn for a prize at the

end of the week.

School Support & Drug Free Schools 2017

• Conduct a Door Decorating contest with an anti-drug / healthy lifestyles message. Winners can be announced at the end of the week.

• Decorate the school campus with red ribbons. • Tie ribbons to car antennas in the school’s parking lot. • Student groups can cut and put red ribbons in teachers’ boxes for them to wear during

the week. • Decorate fences with red cups spelling out Red Ribbon Week or a related theme.

Classroom Integration

• Health classes – Focus on healthy choices and decision-making. • Guidance lesson – Coordinate with School Counselor to provide a guidance lesson in

classrooms about healthy choices and positive outcomes. • Links for lesson plans and information – Use these websites to search for a variety of

lesson plans, activities and factual information, many of which have been aligned to the national standards: NIDA for Teens

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/educators https://teens.drugabuse.gov/teachers/lessonplans#/questions

Scholastic – Heads Up http://headsup.scholastic.com

Other Activities

• Lunch n Learn – Have a table during student lunches with games and brochures to teach facts about drugs.

• Each day a student or staff member will share a drug fact during school-wide announcements.

• Set-up a Pledge signing table at lunch or before school. • Involve parents by signing pledges, passing out red ribbons or making a banner during

sporting events. • Host a parent workshop on “Helping Your Teen Stay Drug Free” or “Current Trends in

Substance Abuse”. • “Take a Bite out of Drugs” – Canned food drive • “Take a Bite out of Drugs” – Pet food drive • Involve younger students in activities using “Healthy Choices” or other coloring books.

School Support & Drug Free Schools 2017

• Plant the Promise – Plant red tulip bulbs as a promise to be alcohol & drug free. Bulbs will bloom in April during Alcohol Awareness month. Each year students can “tend to their promise” by tending to the garden area. Use this as a touchstone for discussion with students about how healthy decisions are not just a one-time decision but also an ongoing commitment to oneself.

• Cheerleaders – Lead an anti-drug cheer in the gym or at other school events. • Middle & High Schools… Use your S.M.A.R.T. teams to lead your prevention planning &

efforts!

UNITY DAYA guide to celebrating Unity Day with young students

©2014, PACER Center, Inc.

What are your true colors when it comes to bullying? If you care about students who are bullied and want bullying to end, make your color

ORANGE on Unity Day. That’s the day everyone can link together — in schools, communities and online — and send one large ORANGE message of

support to students who have been bullied.

Celebrate!

On UNITY Day:

1. Encourage your students to wear the color orange. It can be an orange T-shirt, an orange tie, an orange hat, or even an orange band. Wearing orange is a sign that you support those who have been bullied and are uniting to make a difference.

2. “Unite Against Bullying” banners are a great way for students at your school to make a powerful visual statement of support on Unity Day. Hang the banner in a prominent place where kids can sign it and show that they care.

3. Set up a “unity” table. Hand out orange “unity ribbons.” To create your own ribbons, purchase a spool of orange ribbon (5/8-inch wide) at a craft or dollar store. Cut them into 12-inch strips, or use orange strips of construction paper. With a black marker write “UNITY,” “The End of Bullying Begins With Me,” or create your own bullying prevention message on each strip before having the students tie them around their wrists or their backpacks.

Classroom Discussion

1. Have students look up the definition of “unity.” According to Webster’s English Dictionary:

Unity. noun, plural u•ni•ties. The state of being one; oneness of mind, feeling; concord, harmony, or agreement.

2. Make a list of synonyms for unity with students. Possible answers include: harmony, peace, consensus, solidarity, or agreement.

3. Discuss what unity means to each of them, their school, and their community — and how it relates to preventing bullying and creating a safer school. Reflect on the statement, “When we stand together, no one stands alone.”

4. Discuss how you can show unity in your classroom.

5. Decide on a classroom UNITY project, such as Project Connect (next page).

A Way to Unite: Project Connect

Project Connect joins students, schools, and communities to make a powerful statement about uniting against bullying. The process is simple. Students write a message on a strip of orange construction paper.

• Create the strips (links) using sheets of 8½ x 11-inch ORANGE construction paper

• Cut into strips 1½ to 2 inches wide and 11 inches long.

The strips are then stapled or glued together, resulting in one long connected chain that visually represents the power of uniting for a common cause.

1. Ask students to write what they do to help make their school a safer place for their peers OR ask students to write a quality that makes them unique and proud of who they are as individuals.

2. Once individual classrooms have connected their chains, they can link them to another classroom’s, until all classrooms have joined together to create one colossal chain representing the school.

3. The links can then be displayed in the classroom or in the school hallway. A creative way to display is to spell out the word “UNITE” or your school name.

The message is this — while one person can speak out against bullying, our message is much stronger when we come together to make a difference.

Special thanks to Citrus Grove Elementary in Palm City, Florida for sharing the inspiration behind Project Connect.

PACER.org/BullyingThis is the portal for parents and educators to access bullying resources, including educational toolkits, awareness toolkits, contest ideas, promotional products, and more.

PACERTeensAgainstBullying.orgCreated by and for teens, this website is a place for students in middle school and high school to find ways to address bullying, take action, be heard, and “own” an important social cause.

PACERKidsAgainstBullying.orgA creative, innovative, and educational website designed for elementary school students to learn about bullying prevention, engage in activities, and be inspired to take action.

952.838.9000 | 952.838.0199 FAX | 888.248.0822 | Bullying411@PACER.orgPACER Center | 8161 Normandale Blvd. | Minneapolis, MN 55437

© 2014, PACER Center, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this booklet may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of PACER Center, except for brief quotations or critical reviews.

Founded in 2006, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, actively leads social change, so that bullying is no longer considered an accepted childhood rite of passage. PACER provides innovative resources for students, parents, educators, and others, and recognizes bullying as a serious community issue that impacts education, physical and emotional health, and the safety and well-being of students.