While participating in the Family Leaders for Ohio Schools Academy at the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center, Ohio parent Alexis developed a plan for an after school club for young elementary age students called “Be A Buddy Not A Bully.” Read more about her plan below.
Introduction
I’m a parent leader at my school. The purpose of my project is to create an after school club focusing on younger elementary age students. Planning to connect in the 2027 school year with Be A Buddy Not A Bully club participants. To focus on uplifting one another instead of using put downs. I would like to work with the kids to focus on self esteem and using effective safe techniques with effective communication. While we are focusing on building and working towards a positive outcome for all students to thrive as strong leadership overall. Our club group’s overall goal is to help put an end to bullying and impact our school overall with ending bullying in our school. Each member will take what they gain from the club and express that positively not only in the school but in the community as well.
Goal
The goal of the project is to create a bully free club. This will be accomplished by:
- Increasing Awareness: Educate parents, started by the end of October 2026 , one after school meeting will be held at North Avondale Montessori in which at least 10 students will learn about positive peer interaction and share at least one skill they will use if experiencing or witnessing bullying on a response card.
- Identifying Barriers: Work with families to understand the reasons behind absences and provide support to overcome challenges.
- Strengthening School-Home Partnerships: Foster better communication between parents and school staff.
- Providing families resources and support
- Motivating & Recognizing Attendance Improvement: Implement incentive programs.
Expected Outcomes
- Improved Attendance Rates: Chronic absenteeism decreased by 15% and student academic performance improved.
- Increased Parent Engagement: Families became more proactive in communicating with the school about attendance barriers.
- Stronger School-Community Partnerships: New partnerships were formed with local organizations to provide resources.
- Positive Student Motivation & Engagement: Attendance incentive programs increased student excitement about coming to school. Students who were previously chronically absent showed improved attitudes toward school.
- Sustainable Practices Established: A Parent Attendance Support Team was created to continue helping families in the future.
Potential Challenges
- Budget funding to last the whole school year
- School and Family Support
- Transportation for club outings
Next Steps
Determining success for Be A Buddy Not A Bully club anti-bullying club involves measuring both tangible growth (participation) and cultural impact (climate). Key metrics include:
- increased membership
- high engagement in school-wide prevention events, and
- improved student perception of safety.
Success is best tracked by establishing specific goals for behavioral changes, such as reduced reports of bullying incidents and higher rates of bystander intervention.