Learn, Notice, Act: Raising Awareness for Bullying Prevention Month

October is an important month for many causes, including Bullying Prevention. At Spark Kindness, our mission is to build a kind, resilient, and connected community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The MetroWest Anti-Bullying Coalition (MW ABC) is a key initiative of Spark Kindness, as we believe the vital work of bullying prevention must continue throughout the year. We invite families, educators, students, and community members to:

• Learn - build the awareness and skills needed to recognize bullying
• Notice - respond in safe ways when harm occurs
• Act - help create inclusive communities where everyone belongs

We encourage you to explore tip sheets, videos, recommended podcasts, and more below, as well as follow-up resources from the recent Spark event with Dr. Lisa Damour - Helping Kids Navigate Friendships, Conflict & Bullying.

Bullying prevention isn't only about stopping harmful behavior. It's also about building environments where people look out for one another, speak up when something isn't right, and make it clear that everyone belongs. Bullying Prevention Month is a great time to learn, but it's also a time to get involved. Join the MetroWest Anti-Bullying Coalition to stay updated on upcoming events and programming. 

You are not alone. With kindness and care ~ The Spark Kindness and MW ABC Team

Recommended Resources to Address and Prevent Bullying

Spark Kindness does not conduct investigations or get involved in individual cases of bullying with families, schools or other organizations. The MetroWest Anti-Bullying Coalition offers tip sheets and additional resources to promote the safety and well being of all students and community members. View All Resources Here.

Featured Tip Sheets:

• If Your Child Experiences Identity-Based Bullying or Hate
• Taking Action Against Hate: What You Can Do
• Selected Resources on Identity-Based Bullying

The Differences Between Bullying & Teasing

View frequently asked questions on bullying (including Identity-Based Bullying) versus teasing, as well as the best steps in approaching each individual situation. Access FAQ's and Definitions here.

Building Inclusive, Safe Communities: Learn, Notice, Act

• LEARN | Understand Bullying. Not every conflict or unkind interaction is bullying, but knowing the difference helps us respond appropriately. Explore resources that help children and adults understand bullying, recognize patterns of behavior, and learn how to respond.
  • Explore: PACER National Bullying Prevention Center — resources for students, families, educators, and communities 
  • Explore: MetroWest Anti-Bullying Coalition (MW ABC) — bullying prevention resource hub 
• NOTICE | Recognize Identity-Based Bullying. Sometimes bullying targets an aspect of someone's identity, such as race, religion, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, language, socioeconomic status, or another characteristic. Recognizing identity-based bullying helps us address not only the behavior, but also the bias and harm behind it.
  • Explore: https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/groups
• ACT | Move From Bystander to Upstander. Young people and adults can learn skills for responding when they witness bullying. Being an upstander doesn't always mean directly confronting someone. It might mean checking in with the person who was targeted, getting help from a trusted adult, documenting or reporting online behavior, interrupting harm when it is safe to do so, or refusing to participate in or amplify harmful behavior.
  • Try this conversation starter: What could you do if you saw someone being excluded, targeted, or bullied? What might make it easier, or harder, to speak up?

Internet Safety & Cyberbullying

Recommended Website Hubs:

• Cyberbullying Research Center
• Common Sense Media
• TrendMicro Internet Safety for Kids and Families
• Connect Safely 

Resources from Dr. Sameer Hinduja on Cyberbullying (including translations in English, Spanish and Portuguese):

• Cyberbullying Identification, Prevention, and Response
• Tips for Parents When Your Child Has Been Cyberbullied
• Tips for Parents When Your Child Cyberbullies others
• Questions Parents Should Ask
• Video: How to Prevent and Respond to Cyberbullying (English) (Portuguese) & (Spanish)

Helpful Articles, Podcasts, & Books:

• Article: Bullying on the Bus: How Should Parents Handle It from Healthy Children
• Podcast: My kid is being bullied - what should I do? from Ask Lisa
• Best of Podcast: What to say if your kid is left out, bullied, or dropped from Ask Lisa
• Book: Middle School Matters by Phyllis Fagell (here)
• Book: Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman (here)
• Book: Untangled by Lisa Damour (here)

Books To Read With Your Child:

• The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
• Say Something! by Peter H. Reynolds
• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
• All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

MetroWest, MA Mental Health Resources:

• Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention and Advocacy Collaborative (BACPAC) is an anti-bullying resource for physicians, caregivers, families, and school administrators at Boston Children's Hospital. If you believe your child is being bullied and needs support, call 617-355-6388. View more here.
• The Metrowest Referral Line from Behavioral Health Partners has care coordinators who are available by phone at 1-844-528-6800 Monday - Friday to speak about mental health concerns and help make referrals to health care and other service providers.
• Care Solace offers 24/7/365 Mental Health Care Coordination Service for Natick Public Schools students, staff, and their families. Text or call (888) 515-0595. View more here.