National Bullying Prevention Month

Welcome Page

Section One: Reframing the Narrative on Disability

Section Two: How to Include Students with Disabilities Year-Round

Section Three: Activities and Resources for Any Disability Celebration

Section Four: Four District-Recognized Disability/Inclusion Events and Ways to Celebrate

• Disability Awareness (Any Time)
• National Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day (October)
• Inclusive Schools Week (First Week of December)
• Disability History Month (March)

National Bullying Prevention Month (NBPM) is a month-long event to prevent childhood bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion!

Historically, bullying has been viewed as “a childhood rite of passage” that “makes kids tougher,” but the reality has always been that bullying can leave devastating and long-term effects, such as a loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety and depression for those involved.

Children with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied than their nondisabled peers, and because they are more likely to be socially isolated, they may not have built-in friend networks to support them if they are targeted. Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities may also have trouble understanding social cues and expectations, which can lead to isolation, exclusion and even bullying.

NBPM is a time to spotlight what students can do to help prevent bullying. We are fortunate to have a great resource in our community, Judy French from PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. Contact her at judy.french@pacer.org for posters, programs and additional resources for all grade spans.

Carmen's Corner

A series of six videos featuring characters from the PACER's Kids Against Bullying Puppet Program. The videos highlight key concepts of bullying prevention, like kindness, feelings, acceptance, inclusion, advocacy and unity. An educator guide and student worksheets accompany each video. (Designed for Kindergarten to Third Grade)

A Wrinkled Heart

An activity using a paper heart for a demonstration of how hurtful words have a lasting impact. This activity can also be used with the book "A Wrinkled Heart" by Tracy Hoexter. Here is a link to a read aloud video.

The Invisible Boy

A gentle book that shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to thrive. The lesson plan, with activities for before and after reading the story, teaches kids about being left out and what they can do to include others. Invisible Boy Lesson Plan (Designed for Second through Fifth Grade)

The Rainbow

A short video showing how kids can end bullying and exclusion by reaching out to kids who are isolated or left out by others. This video is appropriate for all elementary grade levels and can serve as a discussion or writing prompt.

Teen Talk on Cyberbullying

Watch this five-minute video designed to provide authentic insight from teens on issues related to cyberbullying. Use the discussion questions provided to continue the dialogue.

Speak Up

Watch this short video on bullying from Sequoia Middle School's KA19 and use it to prompt discussion, or use the writing prompt "How can I speak up for others who are being bullied?"

What Should You Do?

An activity designed with hypothetical bullying scenarios that students can use to think through responses and solutions.

Instagram Poster Series

Students and school accounts can share any of these posters on Instagram to show support for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.

Create an event so that students can take the pledge to create a world without bullying!

• Host a speaker at an assembly (virtual or in person) who can talk about bullying and its long-term effects.
• Show a video or have a guest read a book to students that shows the impacts of bullying and how kindness, acceptance and inclusion can create change.
• Have school counselors or teachers provide social emotional learning on these ideas.
• Give students an opportunity to share with an anonymous comment box or a giant poster they can sign.
• Have student leaders lead the assembly in taking the pledge.

I pledge to SUPPORT others who have been hurt or harmed, treat others with KINDNESS, be more ACCEPTING of people's differences, and help INCLUDE those who are left out.

• Erin Bell, SEDAC Chair
  
• Jenny Crosby, Committee Chair, Newbury Park High School SEDAC Representative

• Lee Ann Holland, Committee Chair, SEDAC Member At Large, Colina Middle School SEDAC Representative
• Carole Shelton, SEDAC Member At Large
  

• Erin Bell, SEDAC Chair
  
• Jenny Crosby, Committee Chair, SEDAC Member At Large, Newbury Park High School SEDAC Representative

• Lee Ann Holland, Colina Middle School SEDAC Representative
• Nicole Johnson, Westlake Hills Elementary SEDAC Representative
• Shadi Khodavandloo, Newbury Park High School SEDAC Representative
• Trina Rodriguez, SEDAC Member At Large, Colina Middle School SEDAC Representative
• Carole Shelton, Rainbow Connection FEC & FRC