B-V principal Teased By Students

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With bullying becoming an increasingly important issue in schools through out the state and nation, B-V is taking a proactive approach and working with students to learn appropriate methods and strategies to deal with bullying.

At B-V students are exposed to “6 Strategies for Bullying Prevention.”  These strategies, designed to help students handle conflict independently, are

1. Tell then to “Please Stop!,”

2. Ignore It

3. Take a Break

4. Share and Take Turns

5. Work it Out 

6. Say You’re Sorry

As part of the program, students take part in real life scenarios where a bully could confront them.  In the role-play game, Principal Cohen was teased about the clothes he was wearing.  He then modeled the 3-step process for effectively dealing with the bully.  He first asked the “Bully” to stop in a serious voice and explained he was not comfortable with what they are doing (Step 1).  When that didn’t curb the bullying he told them “If you don’t stop, I am going to tell…(Step 2)” and if that failed students were instructed to tell an adult (Step 3).

According to school social worker Nancy Rikoon "The children were very engaged and very attentive during Mr. Cohen's presentation of each strategy. Students eagerly participated in the discussions and practiced the skills with Mr. Cohen."

“By empowering students to resolve conflict on their own at the elementary level we are setting them up for success in the future,” remarked Cohen. “ This way, students are giving one another the chance to change and not necessarily using adults to resolve minor issues. If the other students still choose to make a poor choice, an adult will help follow through with the appropriate consequence.”

Other highlights from the visit include modeling of ignore it, how to say sorry appropriately and the sharing of examples how students have solved problems with family members or other students.

“We hope early intervention and proactive measures will hopefully solve future problems,” concluded Cohen.

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