25 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BULLYING

Everyone knows bullying happens.  But did you know that bullying hurts everyone - even the bully?  Here are 25 important things to know about bullying and what you can do to stop it from happening:

1.   Bullying is when someone says or does things to hurt another person.

2.   Hurting someone one time by mistake is not bullying.  But doing it over and over on purpose is.

3.   Kids who bully may tease other people, write mean things about them, or call them names.  Kids who bully might put others down or leave them out of activities.

4.   Kids who bully can hurt others by hitting, kicking, shoving or chasing them.

5.   Kids who bully can be boys or girls.

6.   Both boys and girls can be victims of bullies.

7.   There are lots of reasons people might bully others.  Kids who bully may think bullying will make them more popular.

8.   Scaring or hurting others may make kids who bully feel powerful.

9.   A kid who bullies others might be getting bullied by someone else.

10.   Someone who is bullied may feel scared, sad, depressed, worried, lonely or angry.

11.   Someone who is bullied may not want to go outside or to school.

12.   If you are being bullied, stay with others.  Bullies usually don't pick on people who are in a group.

13.   Stand up to the person who is bullying by telling them to stop.  Then walk away.

14.   Don't fight back.  Fighting back may make it worse or get you into trouble.

15.   If you are being bullied, tell an adult you trust like a teacher, parent, principal or friend.

16.   If you tell an adult and they don't help, tell someone else.  Sometimes adults don't realize how serious bullying can be.

17.   If you see someone being bullied, don't ignore it.

18.   Help the person being bullied get away from the bully.  Then help them tell an adult.

19.   It is not tattling when telling an adult keeps you or someone else from being hurt or helps you feel safe.

20.  Someone who bullies another person may lose his or her friends.  Many kids don't want to hang out with a bully.

21.   Kids who bully can get into serious trouble for hurting others.

22.   If you've been bullying others, talk to an adult.  Ask them to help you stop.

23.   Even if you don't like someone, you still shouldn't laugh at them, hurt them or exclude them.  You are acting like a bully if you do.

24.   It is best to treat others the way you want to be treated.

25.   Everyone can do something to help stop bullying.

Bus Stop Safety  

At the Bus Stop

• Always walk to and away from the bus, never run.
• Stay on the sidewalk or safely away from the road.
• Never speak to strangers at the bus stop.  If a stranger approaches you, immediately find your parent or a neighbor for help.
• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before you approach it or before you exit the bus.
• Get on and off the bus only at your designated stop.
• If you leave something on the bus, do not go back to get it.  The driver will keep it for you until the next school day.
• If you drop something near the bus, make sure you let the driver know before you try to pick it up.
• If you must cross the road to get on or off the bus, make sure you wait for the bus driver's signal and look both ways before crossing the street.

On the Bus

• Use the handrail when you are climbing up and down the bus steps.
• Do not push or shove other children while boarding or exiting the bus.
• Find a seat quickly.  Remain seated the whole time you are on the bus.
• Talk quietly to your neighbors.  Do not yell or throw things.
• If you need to get off at a different stop, make sure you  let the driver know well in advance.