Hurtful teasing, name-calling and bullying affect the targets, the perpetrators and the bystanders.
Children who are victimized and the students who exhibit bullying behavior have lower academic achievement. Bystanders lose self-esteem and empathy when they observe someone getting hurt and live under the fear that they may become the next target. Taking a proactive approach to end bullying will positively affect every student in the school.
Schools have a responsibility to ensure that all students experience a safe learning environment. Growing awareness of the bullying epidemic and the responsibility to address it has prompted an increasing number of schools and school districts to adopt anti-bullying programs. Welcoming Schools, includes elements of social/emotional learning and character development, as do most anti-bullying programs. Welcoming Schools also includes very specific attention to family diversity, including LGBT families, anti-LGBT bias and gender stereotyping within discussions of bullying. If your school has already adopted or is planning to adopt an anti-bullying program, you can work to integrate material from Welcoming Schools to enhance the impact on your school.
