Anthony Paddon Elementary School

Bullying Intervention Protocol

2015-2016

Definition of Bullying:
Bullying is typically repeated behaviour that is intended to cause harm to another
person(s). A person participates in bullying if he/she directly carries out, assists, or
encourages the behaviour in any way. Those who engage in bullying behaviour(s)
are perceived to be in a position of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal, social,
and/or electronic. In some circumstances, bullying is an illegal activity.
Forms of Bullying:
Physical: includes, but is not limited to, hitting, spitting, taking or damaging
personal belongings, and unwanted touching.
Verbal: includes, but is not limited to, taunting, malicious teasing, making threats,
and racist and/or homophobic comments.
Social: includes, but is not limited to, spreading rumors, excluding from a group,
and manipulating of relationships.
Electronic: involves the use of cell phones, computers, and other devices to
socially and/or verbally bully another.

A behaviour is considered bullying when:

It is typically repeated;
There is intent to cause harm;
There is an imbalance in power such as differences in physical strength,
social power or status.

Information for Students and Parents:

If a behaviour is deemed to be bullying, the following actions will be taken:
1. Intervene The staff member will immediately address the bullying
behaviour.
Stop the behaviour from occurring if possible.
Identify the behaviour(s) that meet the bullying criteria.
Refer to classroom and/or school rules.
Identify the behaviour as inappropriate and unacceptable.
Cases of severe or repeated incidents will be referred to the
administration.
2. Investigate interview all students involved separately (those exhibiting
bullying behaviour, those being bullied, and/or the bystanders those who
witness or are aware of the bullying behaviour)
Ask the student being bullied the following questions:
What happened?
When?
What may have lead to the bullying incident?
How he/she feels about it?
Services from the Guidance Counsellor are available if needed
Follow- up with the student who was bullied will be done on a routine
basis
Ask the student(s) exhibiting the bullying behaviour the following
questions:

 What happened?
When?
What caused you to choose this behaviour?
How do you think your behaviour made the other person(s)
feel?
What would you do differently next time?
Remind student(s) of the school rules and expectations
Use consequences or strategies as outlined in the Schools
Code of Conduct
Ask the bystander(s) the following questions:
What did you observe or hear?
What did you do?
What caused you to exhibit this behaviour?
What, if anything, may you do differently next time?
Ensure confidentiality of these responses and take
measures to ensure their safety
3. Home contact Parents of all students involved (those exhibiting bullying
behaviour, those being bullied, and/or the bystanders those who witness or
are aware of the bullying behaviour) will be informed of the incident as
quickly as possible.
4. Consequences These are NOT always harsh/strict in nature.
Consequences depend upon:
the nature, frequency, and severity of the bullying behaviour;
the age and developmental maturity of the student(s) involved;

 the context in which the bullying occurred;

other circumstances that may play a role; and
district and school policies and procedures.
5. Document School personnel must record all incidents of bullying and the
action taken for each incident in a timely manner on the appropriate form

Parents and students can report bullying behaviours

anonymously in the following ways:
Using an box located in a SAFE spot such as in the Guidance Counsellors
or Administrators office;
Using a hotline and/or online reporting;
Email, text, or telephone; or
In person to any staff member.

Expectations of Our School Pertaining to Bullying:

1. Determine if the exhibited inappropriate behaviour is indeed bullying.
Typically repeated
Intending to cause harm
Displaying a power imbalance between those involved
2. Intervene/stop the inappropriate bullying behaviour from continuing to
occur.
3. Investigate/ask questions to all those involved (those exhibiting bullying
behaviour, those being bullied, and/or the bystanders those who witness
or are aware of the bullying behaviour)
4. Contact the home regarding the incident ASAP.
5. Determine the consequences for the bullying behaviour considering the
following factors:
the nature, frequency, and severity of the bullying behaviour;
the age and developmental maturity of the student(s) involved;
the context in which the bullying occurred;
other circumstances that may have played a role; and
district and school policies and procedures.
6. Document all incidents of bullying and the actions taken in a timely
fashion on appropriate forms.