• NOT ON OUR WATCH (N.O.W)

    NOT ON OUR WATCH is a student-centered anti-bullying program that is designed to empower students to work collaboratively to decrease instances of bullying behavior within their schools and communities. Each Pre-K-8 and high school in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District has a NOT ON OUR WATCH (N.O.W) team which is a student-centered anti-bullying program. The goal of bullying prevention is to decrease the prevalence of bullying and promote a safe, warm environment.  

    The goal of the program is to foster a climate that makes it uncomfortable to engage in bullying behavior by decreasing the number of student bystanders while increasing the number of upstanders. Each K-8 and high school in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District has NOW (Not on Our Watch) student leaders who have been trained to answer the following questions:

    • What is bullying behavior?
    • What are the types of bullying behaviors?
    • What are the results of bullying behavior?
    • Do I engage in bullying behavior?
    • What can I do to decrease instances of bullying behavior?

    What is Bullying?

    • Imbalance of Power: people who bully use their power to control or harm, and the people being bullied may have a hard time defending themselves.
    • Intent to Cause Harm: actions done by accident are not bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm.
    • Repetition: incidents of bullying happen to the same person over and over by the same person or group.

    Types of Bullying

    • Verbal: name-calling, teasing
    • Social: spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships
    • Physical: hitting, punching, shoving
    • Cyberbullying: using the Internet, mobile phones, or other digital technologies to harm others

    Working with Schools to Stop Bullying

    • Know the school's policies:
      • Ask for a copy or check the student handbook to see if our school has standards in place that will help resolve the situation.
    • Open the line of communication: 
      • Call or set up an appointment to talk with your child's teacher or school counselor, principal, and/or assistant principal and establish a partnership to stop bullying.
    • Get help for your child: 
      • Seek advice from your child's guidance counselor, principal, assistant principal, and/or other school-based health professionals.
      • They may be able to help your child cope with the stress of being bullied.
    • Talk regularly with your child and with school staff to see if the bullying has stopped.

     

    Anti-Bullying Activities and Resources