Anti-Bullying Pledge for Students

How to Stop Bullying in Schools

By  Kirk Dunckel, principal

Chief Kanim Middle School, Washington

At our school each Fall we have every student sign an Anti-Bullying Pledge Sheet. We take the time to meet with each class and review Respect and Responsibility expectations. We cover the different types of bullying and how deal with it as a victim and bystander. The Pledge Sheets work great when bullying occurs we pull the students Pledge Sheet and have a dialog with the student(s) about what they can do better to live up to their pledge. Our Bullying has dropped significantly. Another thing we have done is to create Anti-Bullying posters for our school with our students on the posters. Having our students faces on the posters has added a real sense of ownership to creating a Bully Free environment.

We believe that every student should enjoy school equally, and feel safe, secure and accepted regardless of color, race, gender, popularity, athletic ability, intelligence, religion, nationality, or any other qualities.

The situations will vary from student to student. We did have an issue with a group of boys teasing another boy at their lunch table. The student did everything right by trying to ignore the teasing and then reported to me. He shared names of the boys and I pulled their pledge sheets and we had a talk about what it means when you pledge something and then sign your name to it. They agreed they could do a better job and would do a better job living up to the pledge they signed. I had them re-date it and re-sign the pledge form. We have not had any issues with this group and the teasing of the boy since.

Chief Kanim Hawk Pledge

We, the students of Chief Kanim Middle School, agree to join together to stamp out bullying at our school.

We believe that everybody should enjoy our school equally, and feel safe, secure and accepted regardless of color, race, gender, popularity, athletic ability, intelligence, religion, nationality, or any other qualities.

Bullying can be pushing, shoving, hitting, as well as name calling, picking on, making fun of, intimidating, laughing at, or excluding someone. Bullying causes pain and stress to victims and is never justified or excusable as "kids being kids," "just teasing" or any other rationalization. The victim is never responsible for being a target of bullying.

By signing this pledge, I agree to:

1. Value student differences and treat others with respect.

2. Not become involved in bullying incidents or be a bully.

3. Be alert in places around the school where there is less adult supervision such as bathrooms and hallways.

4. Report honestly and immediately all incidents of bullying to a staff member.

5. Talk to school staff and parents about concerns and issues regarding bullying.

6. Work with other students and staff to help the school deal with bullying effectively.

7. Be a good role model for other students and support them if bullying occurs.

I understand that if I am demonstrating bullying behaviors and do not stop them immediately, I will be held accountable for my actions by the staff and students of Chief Kanim Middle School.

I also understand that if I witness bullying behaviors and do nothing to eliminate the problems, I am encouraging a bullying environment to continue at our school.

Signed by: __________________________ Date: __________

Print name: __________________________

Click here to download the Anti-Bullying Pledge.