Bullying Prevention Essay and Art Competitions: Honoring School District Champions

Format

Poster Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

The University of Georgia

First Presenter’s Email Address

CTompki1@uga.edu

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Chasity Tompkins is a three-time graduate of The University of Georgia. She has earned a BSA in Agricultural and Applied Economics, Master's of Agricultural and Environmental Education, and Master's in Workforce Education. Tompkins is currently working on completing a PhD in Educational Theory and Practice. Her research interests include positive youth development, Hope Theory, environmental education, agricultural literacy, and non-traditional educational programs.

Location

Poster Mingle and Reception

Strand #1

Hands: Safety & Violence Prevention

Strand #2

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

Hands: Safety and Violence Prevention includes bullying prevention and peer mediation efforts. This project worked directly with students to address bullying in the county. Heart: Social and Emotional Skills centers around school climate and we were able to address the growing needs for bullying prevention through these efforts.

Brief Program Description

In 2015, an impacted senior envisioned a contest that recognized district employees who made an impact by standing up to bullying or helping someone who has been bullied. Middle and high school students were able to write 250–500-word essays detailing their positive experiences. The trend quickly caught on - elementary schools began requesting an arts-based competition. School district employees were honored with plaques and treats.

Summary

In 2015, a twelfth-grade student at XX High School envisioned a contest to recognize efforts by teachers against bullying. The Districtwide Professor-in-Residence (PIR) for School Climate in the Professional Development School District partnership between XXSD and the STATE UNIVERSITY worked closely with this student to organize, launch, and manage the contest during the first two years. The PIR accepted a new position away from Athens before the 2018 contest began. A Doctor of Educational Theory and Practice student at STATE UNIVERSITY, was appointed to continue managing the contest.

The annual XX School District (XXSD) Districtwide Bullying Prevention Essay Contest gives students in grades 6-12 an invitation to nominate a XXSD employee who has made an impact by standing up to bullying or helping someone who has been bullied. Although student nominators are required to be in middle or high school, they can nominate an employee at the elementary, middle, high school, or administrative level. The person nominated can be a teacher, administrator, counselor, or some other adult, but they are required to be employed in XXSD. Students are asked to describe how this person has made an impact by preventing bullying or helping those who have been affected by bullying. Essays range from 250-500 words.

The contest is publicized through posters delivered to each middle and high school and informational emails sent to middle and high school principals and counselors. A team of judges select the top essay written by a middle school student and the top essay written by a high school student. In addition, the contest organizers select winners in two special recognition categories.

The original essay contest was focused toward middle and high school students. As the contest grew, staff at various elementary schools in the county were reaching out to learn more. They were interested in a similar contest at the elementary level. From these ideas, the XX Bullying Prevention Art Contest was established. The planning started in the spring of 2018 and the first annual art contest launched in the fall of 2018.

Evidence

Entries were accepted from January 13 to February 10, 2016. A total of 78 entries were received. Of these, 64 met the eligibility requirements (i.e., nominated a current CCSD employee). Across these 64 entries, a total of 31 CCSD employees from 12 schools were nominated.

Entries were accepted from December 30 to February 15, 2017. A total of 43 entries were received. Of these, 35 met the eligibility requirements (i.e., the nominated adult is a current CCSD employee). Across these 35 entries, a total of 33 CCSD employees from 11 schools were nominated.

Entries were accepted from January 20 to February 23, 2018. A total of 106 entries (43 entries in 2017) were received. Of these, 97 entries (35 entries in 2018) met the eligibility requirements (i.e., the nominated adult is a current XXSD employee, the essays pertained to the employee preventing bullying). In 2018, 10 students were honored for their essay submissions and 10 staff members were awarded plaques for standing up to bullying.

Entries were accepted from January 21 to March 1, 2019. A total of 15 entries were received. All the entries met the eligibility requirements (i.e., the nominated adult is a current CCSD employee, the essays pertained to the employee preventing bullying). Nine students and four staff members were honored.

The art contest started with less excitement as originally expected. Entries were accepted from September 24 to October 29, 2018. A total of 5 entries were received. With a small number of entries that met the requirements of the contest, it was determined that all students would receive recognition for their work.

Learning Objective 1

Participants will be able to learn about district wide competitions that focus on bullying prevention

Learning Objective 2

Participants will be able to implement competition strategies within their own schools or districts.

Learning Objective 3

Participants will be able to address school climate using creative efforts to addressing bullying

Keyword Descriptors

bullying prevention, school climate, essay, art-based curriculum, competition

Presentation Year

2022

Start Date

3-7-2022 4:45 PM

End Date

3-7-2022 6:00 PM

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Mar 7th, 4:45 PM Mar 7th, 6:00 PM

Bullying Prevention Essay and Art Competitions: Honoring School District Champions

Poster Mingle and Reception

In 2015, an impacted senior envisioned a contest that recognized district employees who made an impact by standing up to bullying or helping someone who has been bullied. Middle and high school students were able to write 250–500-word essays detailing their positive experiences. The trend quickly caught on - elementary schools began requesting an arts-based competition. School district employees were honored with plaques and treats.