The document introduces a bullying prevention program called Be SAFE that will be implemented in a 4th grade class. The program, created by Michigan State University Extension, aims to teach youth how to create a safe, affirming, and fair environment through partnership with adults. It will run from September to November 2016 during library periods and teach concepts related to understanding and addressing bullying. The program is sponsored by Mississippi State University Tate County extension service and will be led by an FCS/4-H agent.

1. Dear Parents & Students:
Welcome to the Be SAFE 4-H In-School
Program! Written by Michigan State
University Extension, the Be SAFE
bullying prevention curriculum aims to
teach youth to work in partnership with
adults to create a Safe, Affirming, and
Fair Environment.
The program’s overall goals are to
promote learning, address and reduce
bullying, and prevent bullying behaviors.
Your 4th grade class has been chosen to
pilot this program.
The program is sponsored by the
Mississippi State University Tate County
extension service. The program will be
led by Ms. Laura Brumbaugh, FCS/4-H
agent. The in-school bullying
prevention program will run from
September 2016 to November 2016.
Students will meet during school hours
during their library time. The program
directly supports school curriculum and
offers enrichment activities beyond the
classroom.
Students will learn about the following
concepts that are tied directly to a book
that will be featured during each
session: Exploring Bullying;
Understanding Differences; Emotional
and Social Intelligences; and Safety.
Volume 1, Issue 1
Safe stands for…
Safe, Affirming, Fair Environment
Create a work of art with the program’s name
below. Get creative!
Mississippi State University, United States
Department of Agriculture, Counties
Cooperating
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all
qualified applicants will receive consideration
for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, disability status,
protected veteran status, or any other
characteristic protected by law.
The Be Safe Literacy Program Newsletter is a publication from the Tate County 4-H Program.

2. “Bullying is saying or doing hurtful things to
other people on purpose.”
• Bullying is intentional
• Bullying involves imbalance of power
• Bullying is repeated over time
To learn more about a
variety of bullying issues
and ways to address and
prevent them, go to
stopbullying.gov. Use a
free QR code reader app
downloaded to your
smart phone or table to
visit the website.
Find the hidden words below to learn about Be SAFE keywords.
Bullying Safe Affirming Fair Environments Target
Verbal Physical Indirect Intent Imbalance Repeated

3. Conflict is part of ALL relationships. Sometimes we confuse “normal’ conflict within friendships with
bullying behaviors. While conflict between friends can have hurtful consequences, its usually accidental
and the person who caused the harm feels remorseful (they feel sorry their actions). This is different
from bullying situations that involve intentional harm.
While conflicts within healthy relationships happen occasionally, they lack the sense of intimidation
that’s part of bullying behaviors that happen repeatedly (or that we believe could happen again).
Healthy relationships involve shared power (not the “power over” of bullying situations), and those
involved can choose to disengage from the friendship without fear of being targeted.
We learn our beliefs from many sources-especially our families-but some people who study kids says
that peers are especially important for kids your age. Many people think that messages in the media-
such as TV shows, music, and social media-can affect our beliefs. Many young people and adults
strongly believe that everyone deserves respect and that people shouldn’t harm others. But many of
these same people fail to do anything when they see people getting hurt-and they may even think that
the person being targeted deserves it. Why do you think this happens? Is it ever okay to blame a
victim? NO, it’s NEVER okay to blame victims for the harm that others inflict on them.
People should be treated with
respect.
YES NO Sometimes
My family My friends
Other people or groups* Media Messages**
No one deserves to be hurt by other
people.
YES NO Sometimes
My family My friends
Other people or groups* Media Messages**
What my friends think is really
important to me.
YES NO Sometimes
My family My friends
Other people or groups* Media Messages**
Some people deserved to be bullied.
YES NO Sometimes
My family My friends
Other people or groups* Media Messages**
There must be a good reason if no
one tries to stop a bullying situation.
YES NO Sometimes
My family My friends
Other people or groups* Media Messages**
It’s important to help someone who’s
being bullied.
YES NO Sometimes
My family My friends
Other people or groups* Media Messages**
*Other people or groups might include those at your school, religious, or faith group, youth group, and so on.
**Media messages come from TV programs, movies, websites, music, books, social media sites and more.

4. Cooperative Extension Service · Mississippi State University · P.O. Box 188, #1 French’s Alley · Senatobia, MS 38668
Phone (662) 562-4274 · Fax (662) 562-6874
Mississippi State University, United States Department of Agriculture, Counties Cooperating-Discrimination based upon race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status is a violation of federal and state law and MSU policy and will not be tolerated.
Discrimination based upon sexual orientation or group affiliation is a violation of MSU policy and will not be tolerated.
This newsletter produced and published by Laura M. Brumbaugh, FCS/4-H Extension Agent II, Tate County
The author of “Confessions of a Former Bully” is Trudy Ludwig.
Trudy Ludwig is a nationally known author and speaker
whose work focuses on helping children cope and thrive in their
social world. Trudy lives with her family in Portland, Oregon.
Check out some more books from Trudy Ludwig:
• Just Kidding
• My Secret Bully
• Sorry!
• Trouble Talk
• Too Perfect
…
Stopbullying.gov has videos and games to help you learn more
about bullying and ways to prevent bullying. Watch these videos to
learn how KB, Josh, Milton, and their friends deal with kids who
bully. After watching each video, take a quiz to see how much you
know about bullying.
Or play Games-Show you know your stuff and play games featuring
your favorite characters! Meet the characters featured in the games!
Visit: www.stopbullying.gov/kids/webisodes/index.html or scan the
QR code with a free QR code reader app on your smart phone or
tablet.