Health
Bullying Is on the Rise, but Intervention Helps Potential Victims and Perpetrators

Bullying in school is much more prevalent and serious today than 15 years ago. The effects of bullying can last a lifetime for the victim, the bully, or even the bystander who sees the act go unpunished. Jennie Young of the NEA Health Information Network talked with Martin Fleming, president of ForKidSake, and David A. Levine, director of In Care of Students, about bullying and what can be done to curb it.

What are the main causes of bullying?
Bullying comes out of the quest to have one of four emotional needs met, says David Levine. These needs, as identified by William Glasser, are belonging, personal power, personal freedom, and fun. If students feel the alienation and isolation that comes from having an unmet need, they will often be motivated to gain control over their environments by seeking power over others through some form of anti-social behavior, such as bullying.

What steps can parents, schools, and communities take to help prevent these behaviors?
Levine and Martin Fleming agree: First, establish clear, constructive, consistent consequences that will be used in conjunction with rules that are always enforced.

Also, assist the victims to take back power.

Teach the life skills necessary to help a person manage potentially difficult life situations. Adults must take the issue seriously enough to dialogue with children or students in a way they can understand.

Empower the silent majority--bystanders--to report bullying.

Do not tolerate any form of aggression. Implement a school or district-wide culture-building initiative that creates emotionally safe settings where young people feel cared for.

Schools should provide training to staff members on understanding the nature of violence and aggression in school, how to effectively de-escalate a situation, and how to respond to a conflict between students.

What adult behaviors perpetuate bullying?
The belief that bullying is part of life, that it is a rite of passage, say Levine and Fleming. A belief like this, in which bullying is tolerated by an adult, is counterproductive.

Staff members in schools must also realize that a potentially volatile situation is escalated unnecessarily because the adult reacts in an oppressive and punitive fashion.

Can one intervene so that the bully doesn't retaliate against the victim later?
Yes. Minimize the bully's thinking that he or she was tattled on by using statements such as, "It has come to my attention," "I have heard from a number of sources," and "I have noticed," says Fleming.

Bring in the victim, stating that it is the bully's fault for the intervention. Say, "I will bring Sam in now. You have initiated this intervention." Make sure you emphasize that the situation will be closely monitored and the alleged victim will be re-questioned.

If children are afraid to report bullying, what can schools do to help?
Talk to students about the issues of harassment and bullying, says Levine. Let them know how important it is to report any such acts, and stress that all people have the right to feel safe and no one has the right to hurt anyone physically or emotionally. Create a culture that establishes the rules that will not tolerate these types of behavior.

NEA's National Bullying Awareness Campaign involves NEA affiliates and other national organizations in creating an awareness of the problem of bullying, and combining our collective resources to solve the problem.

NEA's Bullying and Sexual Harassment Prevention/Intervention program works in the classroom and at school events to help schools develop policies and activities to change school culture and allow all students to attend school without fear of harassment or injury. National trainers are available to work with each affiliate and school district. For more information, contact Gaye Barker at 202/822-7732, E-mail: gbarker@nea.org.

Advocates for Cancer Patients

Two NEA members who are cancer survivors make their mark outside the classroom by educating the public about the disease, providing advice, and support to other cancer survivors, and advocating for the legal rights of cancer patients.

In 1991, Virginia middle school teacher Kathleen Barry-Rodgers lost a breast to cancer and underwent reconstructive surgery. She then chose to have symmetry surgery, but was told her insurance would not cover it due to a state law that ruled her ineligible because of her date of surgery.

After months of calling her members of Congress and state lawmakers, Barry-Rodgers received a clear answer from the Department of Health and Human Services. The federal Women's Health Resource Cancer Act does not limit its coverage based on date of surgery. Because of her efforts, it was determined that state law is not in compliance with federal law.

Barry-Rodgers and her husband, Steve, are committed to bringing both county and state law in line with federal regulations. Barry-Rodgers, who teaches at Blue Ridge Middle School in Loudoun County, encourages other cancer patients facing insurance barriers to act.

"You can't be afraid to say, 'This is wrong,'" says Barry-Rodgers.

Educators like Barry-Rodgers often become health advocates in the wider community. This year, the NEA Health Information Network is honoring both Barry-Rodgers and Jeannie Lane of Waddy, Kentucky with the Vivian Roy Bowser Cancer Education Award for their advocacy of cancer patients' rights and for educating the community.

Lane, a kindergarten teacher at Collins Lane Elementary School and vice president of the Franklin County Education Association, is a survivor of bladder cancer. With support from her school board, she organized cancer survivor education projects featured on local cable television, participated in the Memorial/Survivor Cancer Walk, and coordinated a blood drive for teachers. Last summer, she was elected secretary of the NEA Cancer Survivors and Supporters Caucus (CSSC).

"Jeannie Lane is a constant source of inspiration to friends, family, and colleagues," says FCEA treasurer Marilyn Money.

Barry-Rodgers and Lane both acknowledge that they would not be where they are today without the support of their families, friends and communities. "I learned how many teachers are affected [by cancer] and how we can band together to support each other," says Lane.

--Kandra Strauss

Quick Tip

1. If you think something might be wrong, you owe it to yourself to make a doctor's appointment.

2. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, get additional advice and information from a second specialist. Keep a journal to help you work through your feelings.

3. Keep your friends informed and use their strength and support. A sense of humor, too, can make a big difference.

4. Live your life! We cannot know how or when we will die, but we can decide how we will live. I choose to live a happy life, and to be truly grateful for my faith, family, and friends.

Jeannie Lane, a kindergarten teacher in Waddy, Kentucky, is secretary of the NEA Cancer Survivors and Supporters Caucus.

From the NEA Health Information Network

Promote Patriotism and Awareness
Project ROSEBUDS is an educational clearing house that promotes patriotism by honoring veterans and the armed forces, and creating awareness of major health issues in our nation. For information on how their kits can be used in your community, visit www.usarosebuds.com or write Project ROSEBUDS, P.O. Box 658, Flossmoor, IL 60422.

Help for Children of Substance Abusers
The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has several new resources to help children of substance abusers and adults who care about them. Materials include free posters, brochures, and other resources that encourage children to talk to supportive adults, and information for adult caregivers. Phone 800/788-2800 or E-mail info@health.org.

Talking with Children About Drugs
Dominic Cappello's Ten Talks Parents Must Have with Their Children About Drugs and Choices. Ten Talks offers practical advice on how to begin and what to say--not just about drugs, but also about peer pressure, stress, health, the law and mixed messages in the media. $13.95 at bookstores or www.tentalks.com.

Identifying and Preventing Eating Disorders in Students
BodyWise materials, developed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provide information on how to identify and prevent eating disorders among middle school students. The packets include a handbook, factsheets, and additional information and resources. Special materials are available for young women in high-risk groups. For more information visit www.4woman.gov/BodyImage or visit www.health.org/gpower.

Resources

• Two teachers' guides used as a part of NEA's Bullying Prevention/ Intervention Program are QUIT IT!--for Use With Students Grades K-3, by Merle Froschl, Barbara Sprund, and Nancy Mullin-Rindler, published by Educational Concepts, Inc., the NEA Professional Library, and the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women; and BULLYPROOF--for Use with Fourth and Fifth Grade Students, developed by Nan Stein and written by Lisa Sjostrom and Nan Stein, published by Wellesley CCRW and the NEA Professional Library. Both are available through NEA's Professional Library online at http://home.nea.org/books/list.cfm or by calling 800/229-4200.

• Can't We All Just Get Along? Dealing with Hate & Bias, part of the NEA Safe Schools Now Network video series, is designed to teach young people that prejudices begin at an early age and often lead to disruptive and violent behaviors. Learn how schools have countered the effects of destructive stereotypes. To order, visit NEA's Professional Library online at http://home.nea.org/books/list.cfm or call 800/229-4200.

• Through the Eyes of Howard Gray by David A. Levine, an award-winning bully-prevention music video/documentary, tells the true story of a student ridiculed by his peers. $129 from: www.blueheronpress.com, 845/687-8772. For more information on David A. Levine and his work, visit www.davidalevine.com.

• Building Classroom Communities: A Social Skills Resource by David A. Levine assists the teacher in the creation of emotionally safe learning environments. $12.50 from www.blueheronpress.com, 845/687-8772.

• Confronting Bullies & Helping Victims Through Support Groups provides plans and activities for small-group experiences for bullies and victims. Contact Martin Fleming at martinf@forkidsake.net

• Bully-Proofing Your School by Carla Garrity focuses on elementary schools. This manual covers steps from classroom curricula to staff training. $35 from Sopris West, available at bookstores.