Summary of Presentation

Dr. Rick Spurling, creator of It Is Time….To Be Bully Free! An Anti-Bullying Guidebook For School Leaders (Dec. 2006), will provide information about one of the most important issues is the lives of school age children.... bullying. Dr. Spurling is nationally known for his expertise and has spoke to over 20,000 concerned principals, teachers, coaches, parents and students over the past 4 years about the impact of the Bully-Free philosophy. Dr. Spurling will emphasize the trauma students go through when bullied, or a witness to bullying, and will stress the responsibility and the influence that we all have in eliminating bullying behavior. Dr. Spurling’s program has become a model statewide and his dissertation The Bully Free School Zone Character Education Program: A Study of Impact on Five Western North Carolina Middle Schools has served as a tremendous resource offering schools and systems direction in establishing this program. Don’t’ miss this very informative and high-spirited presentation

Presentation Packet Information:


What Can Schools Do?
To keep kids bully free at schools - research based data with practitioner long term experience.
Definition and how it is redefined over the years

Bully Free Philosophy, Credo, and Mission
Material that can be utilized by K-12 Teachers
Pledges for parents, teachers and students

Challenges for Students
Work-together, accept differences, respond to bullies in ways that work effectively,
look out for one another, be empathetic to others.
Expectations/responsibilities

What Can Parents Do?
To make a positive difference in the happenings at school.
Challenges / Role Responsibilities

Teacher, Coach and Principal Role
Understand the powerful impact and influence educators are on the students and the community.
Taking pride in our profession and changing public perception

Differences in Girl and Boy Bullying - The New Wave of Bullying
Technology, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, premeditated exclusion, malicious gossip/rumors
Correlation to aggressive / violent action

Bullying Statistics
Resources currently available, curriculum utilized, lesson plans and pacing guides to provide direction of initiation.
Recommended curriculum Dr. Allan Beane, 2000 Bully Free Classroom

Procedures in Establishment, Development and Implementation
of anti-bullying program in schools and systems, quantitative research over three year period.
Emphasis on elementary and middle school age children