Calm Classrooms
Bully-Proof™ and Positive Peers™ Program

Our Bully-Proof™ and Positive Peers™ Program is effective for three reasons.

1. Putting an end to bullying requires a proactive approach that addresses the root cause of negative peer interactions—a lack of confidence and purpose. Calm, confident children do not bully and do not become targets.

Most bullying prevention programs advise targets of bullying to “walk with a group of friends” and “put on a brave face.” Students who are bullied typically have neither friends nor confidence. We address this root cause so they do not become repeat targets.

Likewise, simply “punishing” a bully—without giving him the tools to become a positive, purposeful influence—often results in passive aggressive forms of behavior. Suspension from school becomes a reward.

2. We provide students with the tools to become calm, confident leaders. Rather than avoid a negative (being a bully or a target), we empower students to become leaders. Our proven methodology helps students develop social skills through the three P's of Power: students must use their passions, in purposeful ways, and find their unique "place."

3. We change the school culture. We incorporate a no-excuses, zero tolerance policy and strong adult interventions with clear rules and consequences. However, it is not enough to tell students what they cannot do. We change the school culture from tolerance of diversity to celebration of diversity. When each student finds purpose and vision in school by using his or her strengths and passions, the resulting confidence virtually eliminates negative peer interactions.

Wait until you see how students respond when we challenge them to take a stand against bullying and volunteer to become a peer buddy. Our students are capable of much more than we ask of them.

Program Components
The key components of the Bully-Proof Program are:

Educator Staff Development Training during the day—includes thorough curriculum review; Zero Tolerance policy; clearly communicated rules and consequences; increased supervision in high target areas; response strategies; development of a Bully-Proof Council consisting of teachers and administrators; guidance counselor, nurse and psychologist; and parent and student representatives; ongoing support.

Student Training conducted via school assemblies or classroom meetings—includes role-playing, Positive Peer Pressure Pledge, social skills development, response strategies.

Parent Training in the evening—we equip parents to prepare their children with a positive mental attitude and the tools necessary to be a positive influence in school. These sessions are always very well attended.

For more information, please contact Research Director Edward Hallsey, Ph.D. or Educator Director Kirk Martin via email at kirk@celebratecalm.com.