How Students Can Handle a Bully
School fights are more dangerous lately. A student was just shot to death in a hallway in a Florida high school. Teen age disputes escalate quickly and students sometimes need help knowing how to handle a bully. Too often students are tormented by a bully and their time in the cafeteria or in the hallways becomes very emotionally difficult. Sometimes students even quit high school because they are unable to handle being harassed at school.
Document Abuse
If a student informs you they are having a problem with a bully tell them to keep an abuse log where they write down the time,
place, and a description of the incident. Also tell the student to write a note to you about the bully so you can give the note to the Guidance department so they can have a chat with the bully. If the student has already been physically assaulted by the bully or if the student tells you there are rumors the bully will be waiting for him or her after school immediately inform an administrator.
Get Immediate Help for the Student When Needed
If a student is afraid of pending violence get security or an administrator immediately. If you have just stepped into a fight to stop it do not leave the student who was being attacked alone to make their way to the next class. Stay with the student until an administrator has been informed or security escorts them to the administrator. Sometimes students will inform a teacher that they are afraid to leave the building because friends have told them rumors are floating they will be beaten up outside school. Get help immediately for the student; notify the principal. Do not let the student leave the building on their own. Also call parents and see if they can come pick the student up.
High School Doesn’t Last Forever
Remind a student who is in crisis that the bullying they may be experiencing will not last forever. There isn’t much bullying in college. Students sometimes need to hear that there is life after high school. Ask the principal to help a student who is being bullied by perhaps changing their schedule to limit contact with the bully. Also encourage the student to have their parents call the principal to ask for disciplinary action against the bully.
Do not Emulate the Bully
Remind a student who is being bullied to not join in when the bully assaults them. Once both people are throwing punches an administrator may take disciplinary action against both students.
Remind Students to always Inform Someone If a Problem Occurs
Sometimes high school students keep problems to themselves out of embarrassment. Give classes a talk at the start of the school
year that includes information about the importance of always alerting a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal if a student is having a severe problem at school or at home. Teenagers today have some very serious issues in their lives. Sometimes handling them on their own becomes overwhelming. Encourage them to seek help when needed.