Buddies Not Bullies

Buddies Not Bullies looks to raise $10,000 during GiveSTLDay 2024. Our priorities for $$ raised include: Play It Safe Cyber-Safety, & creating a digital platform with videos, resources, & training modules for educators to bring our curriculum into their classroom. Teachers are First Responders; they are on the front line with our kids & witness to the devastation associated with bullying & cyberbullying. Successful programs involve education & skill building for kids, parents, educators, & the community Our evidence based programs make it easy for all of these groups to get involved & create change in their own little corner of the world!

Social competencies take time to develop and must be taught repetitively just like Math and English. Modeled after effective violence/bullying prevention and character education programs, our "All In" programs have been developed by a local licensed psychologist with over twenty-five years of experience working with children and their families. Our programs incorporate many of the components identified by best practices models. Ideally, all of the components would be integrated into the community at large. Yet, we have the ability to individualize our programs to meet the needs of very diverse populations.

Buddies Not Bullies strengthens the lives of children and their families helping them to build healthy and respectful relationships. Our prevention programs were developed in response to the growing number of children in our community who were being seen in mental health facilities struggling with peer abuse and mistreatment, i.e. bullying. Our School Based Counseling program provides mental health care to students, and families in a supportive environment.

Prevention:
The "All In" program components include:
Bullying Prevention Classroom Programs
"All In", our flagship program, is delivered over twenty sessions. This program integrates awareness, skill building, and intervention directly into the school culture. Because the program is delivered over the course of the entire school year, retention is increased.

"All In Extensions", These 2 hour courses are provided to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade classes. Primary grade levels receive basic information & beginning practice with skill sets regarding conflict resolution, improved communication skills, & social-emotional skill development. The 5th grade extension refreshes the student's skill building established during the 4th grade "All In" class.

Cyberbullying & Internet Safety Classroom Program
"Play It Safe" is designed specifically to strengthen the middle school child's sense of "netiquette" & on-line safety. Students identify bullying & harassment as it relates to electronic communications such as texting, gaming, & social networking. Students learn how to safely share information with their peers while reducing the risk factors associated with on-line predators.

"You-Niquely Social"
In order to help children in our community understand that we can be different, have different ideas, come from different kinds of families, & still get along, Buddies Not Bullies offers the "YOU-Niquely Social" Leadership Program & Day Camp. These interactive programs provide area teens with opportunities to develop their leadership skills, & helps K - 5th graders learn about leadership, making friends, including others, personal differences, & other helpful social strategies such as taking turns, personal space, & cooperation.

Meaningful Parental Involvement
Buddies Not Bullies encourages parental involvement in a variety of ways. Parents with children enrolled in prevention classes are provided with information regarding the nature of the coursework, including prevalence, negative impact of bullying, & strategies they can use to support bullying prevention efforts. Parents complete assignments with their children - fostering communication & skill building. All parents have access to information regarding the importance of regular meaningful communication, & general strategies they can use to address bullying situations. Parent seminars are offered for FREE to any interested parent. They can be found on-line at our website. Each seminar can be viewed in 5-10 minute segments - perfect for even the most 'time challenged' parent!

Professional Development
As key collaborators in building a positive & safe school climate, educators receive instruction & support as they reinforce the prevention concepts & response strategies their students are learning. Seminars include:
"Basic Training"
"The Role of Educators as First Responders"
"Cyber Bullying: Understanding the Wired Child"
"The Tender Years" for PreK & Kg

School Based Mental Health
Untreated behavioral and emotional problems in children can lead to severe and persistent difficulties. Specialized mental health services improve the effectiveness of our bullying prevention programs and help all students. When children are emotionally healthy, they perform better in school and enjoy better relationships. Strengthening the mental health of children is beneficial for everyone.