Overview of the New Bullying Law 1

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2 Peter s Story

3 Overview of the New Bullying Law 1 Bullying means a single significant incident or a pattern of incidents involving a written, verbal, or electronic communication, or a physical act or gesture directed at another pupil which: Physically harms a pupil or damages the pupil s property Causes emotional distress Interferes with a pupil s educational opportunities Creates a hostile educational environment, or Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school Cyberbullying means conduct undertaken through the use of electronic devices.

4 Overview of the New Bullying Law 1 Each School District must adopt a written policy prohibiting bullying and cyberbullying Provide Annual Training on policies adopted for school employees, regular school volunteers, employees of a company under contract with the school district (who have contact with pupils), AS WELL AS Educations Programs for pupils and parents for the purpose of preventing, identifying, responding to, and reporting incidents of bullying or cyberbullying Provide Educations Programs for pupils and parents

5 Bullying and Children with Disabilities According to the Boys Town National Research Hospital, children with disabilities were found to be at greater risk of becoming victims of abuse and neglect than children without disabilities. 2 Eighty percent of children with learning disabilities are bullied at school; 60 percent of those children endured physical attacks, according to a 2007 study by Mencap. 3 Forty percent of children with autism and 60 percent of children with Asperser's syndrome have been bullied, according to the National Autistic Society. 3 According to an August, 2009 study by Eeske van Roekel, Ron H.J. Scholte, and Robert Didden that was published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Children with Autism face more bullying because often misinterpret bullying acts as being non-bullying in nature. 4

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8 Family Friends Community

9 Circle of Strength Circle of Family Immediate Family Close Family Friends Circle of Friends School Friends Friends from Extra Curricular Activities, or other social networks Circle of Community Neighborhood City/Town

10 The Importance of a Circle of Friends Without Friendships, it is almost impossible for children and adults to spend their time learning or working ~Jeff and Cindy Strully; Friendships as an Educational Goal 5

11 The Importance of a Circle of Friends If our Schools and Communities cannot welcome and embrace diversity and support friendships among its members, then belonging will not take place ~Jeff and Cindy Strully; Friendships as an Educational Goal 5

12 The Importance of a Circle of Friends 6 Friendships help learn communication and social skills Friendships help build self esteem Friends help to look out for each other This is especially important in children with special needs if they are unable to distinguish sarcasm, pick up on social cues, or understand that although someone may be speaking to them and smiling or laughing, that their words are actually making fun of them. Conclusion: Only with Inclusion may Children of ALL Abilities truly learn the value of diversity in Friendship

13 Questions Comments And Discussion

14 Our Final Wish to our Leadership Friends: If ever there is a tomorrow when we re not together...there is something you must always remember: You are Braver than you Believe, Stronger than you Seem, And Smarter than you Think. But the most important thing is, even if we re apart...i ll always be with you ~Christopher Robin to Pooh

15 References 1 taken from: New Hampshire. Bullying/Harassment RSA 193-F:2-5 (2010) 2 taken from: 3 taken from: CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID= taken from:children with Autism Face More Bullying: Theory of Mind Affects Perception of Bullying Behavior by Autistics 5 Friendship as an Educational Goal by Jeffrey L & Cyndy Strully 6 The Importance of Friendships in School-Aged Children paper from the Uninversity of Florida, IFAS Division