Students who are being bullied may exhibit certain warning signs such as damaged belongings, unexplained injuries, having few friends, not wanting to go to school, being sad or moody, and complaining of physical problems. Students who bully others tend to have a positive view of violence, want to dominate others, lack empathy, and may engage in risky behaviors. Teachers can address bullying by setting clear rules, rewarding good behavior, listening to reports of bullying, notifying parents of incidents, and holding class meetings. Administrators should assess bullying levels, train staff, enforce rules, increase supervision, and consistently intervene in bullying situations.

1. Warning Signs of Bullying
Students who are bullied may:
Have damaged clothing, books, or other things
Have unexplained bruises, cuts, and scratches
Have little to no friends
Be afraid of going to school, riding the bus, or participating in organized activities
Have a sudden drop in interest to do school work or in grades
Appear sad or moody when they come home from school
Complain often of headaches, stomaches, or other physical problems
Have trouble sleeping
Appear anxious and have low self-esteem

2. Warning Signs of Bullying cont.
Students who bully others may:
Have a positive attitude towards violence
Have a strong need to dominate others to get their way
Be aggressive or easily angered
Lack empathy towards other students
Be defiant or aggressive toward adults
Be involved in activities such as vandalism, delinquency, or substance abuse
Be stronger than others
Be more likely to brag about owning a gun for risky reasons

3. Tips for Addressing Bullying
(Teachers)
Develop, post, and discuss roles relating to
bullying
Treat students and other teachers with warmth
and respect
Establish yourself a clear and visible authority
Reward students for positive behavior
Take immediate action when bullying is
observed
Listen to parents/students who report bullying in
the classroom
Students need to see that
teachers are in control and
that they care•Notify parents of all students involved when a bullying
incident occurs
•Refer students affected by bullying to school
counseling
•Have a safety plan to protect students who are bullied
•Hold class meetings where students can talk about
bullying
•Provide information to parents about bullying
behaviors and encourage their help in preventing it

4. Tips for Addressing Bullying
(Administrators)
(Administrators)
Focus on the social environment of
the school
Assess bullying at your school
Garner parent and staff support for
bullying prevention
Form a group to coordinate the
school’s bullying prevention
activities
Train your staff in bullying
prevention
Establish and enforce school rules
relating to bullying
Increase adult supervision in areas
where bullying occurs more often
Intervene consistently and
appropriately in situations where
bullying occurs
Focus some class time on bullying
prevention
Continue these efforts over time