Bullying Prevention Advisory Guide October Bullying Prevention Month • Grades 6–8
Advisory & Announcement Blueprint
Focus Window Weeks 1 & 2 Themes
Advisory Norms for Middle School: Frame conversations around empathy, realistic peer pressure, and practical actions rather than generic slogans. Morning blurbs can be read during morning broadcasts; advisory prompts are designed for 10–12 minute circle discussions.
Week 1
Real Talk: Bullying vs. Peer Conflict
Clarifying the Line
Peer Conflict
Disagreement between peers of equal social power. Both can speak their side; emotions fluctuate without an intent to systematically harm.
Bullying Behavior
Repeated, aggressive acts involving an imbalance of power (physical, social, or digital). Intended to isolate, embarrass, or control.
Daily Morning Blurb Options (Read in under 45s)
Day 1 Hook: "Conflict happens when friends disagree. Bullying is different—it uses power to make someone feel small. Here, everyone belongs."Day 3 Check: "Notice if your joke made someone cringe instead of laugh. In middle school, 'just joking' shouldn't be an excuse to hurt."
Advisory Discussion Spark (10 Mins)
"When does friendly teasing cross the line into bullying? Why is it sometimes hard for middle schoolers to say 'stop' when friends laugh along?"
Week 2
Behind the Screen: Cyberbullying & Digital Echoes
Phones, Chats, & Gaming
Group Chats
Intentional exclusion, screenshotting private messages, or dogpiling on a classmate.
Burner Accounts
Anonymous confessions, gossip pages, or voting polls designed to rank or humiliate.
Gaming Comms
Voice-chat trash talking escalating into harassment, doxxing threats, or blocking alliances.
Daily Morning Blurb Options
Day 2 Focus: "A screen doesn't make words less sharp. Before hitting send or sharing a screenshot, ask: would I say this to their face in third period?"Day 4 Action: "If you're in a group chat turning toxic: don't like, don't forward, and don't stay silent. Say 'that's uncalled for' or exit."
Advisory Discussion Spark (10 Mins)
"Why do people feel braver posting something hurtful online than saying it in hallway conversation? How can our advisory protect each other in digital spaces?"
Upstander Action Campaign • Advisory Resource Page 1 of 2 • Weeks 1 & 2
October Bullying Prevention Month • Grades 6–8
Action & School Culture
Focus Window Weeks 3 & 4 Themes
Week 3
The Upstander Toolkit: The 4 D's
Bystander to Upstander
1. DIRECT
If safe, speak up clearly: "That's not cool," or "Leave them alone."
2. DISTRACT
Shift attention: "Hey, did you finish the math homework?" Walk away together.
3. DELEGATE
Get an adult right away: a teacher, counselor, administrator, or campus aide.
4. DELAY
Check in after: "I saw what happened. Are you okay? I'm in your corner."
Daily Morning Blurb Options
Day 1 Launch: "You don't need a superhero cape to stop bullying. Distracting someone or checking in afterward takes 10 seconds and changes everything."Day 3 Focus: "Tattling is getting someone in trouble for minor rule-breaking. Reporting is getting someone help to stay safe. Always report."
Advisory Discussion Spark (10 Mins)
"Which of the 4 D's feels most comfortable for you? What stops people from stepping in when they see someone getting picked on at lunch or in the locker room?"
Week 4
Unity in Action: The Kindness Nomination Drive
Celebrating Unsung Heroes
Nomination Window Opens
Students submit Kindness Spotlight Slips in advisory or the main office box to celebrate everyday empathy.
Unity Day Celebration
Wear orange to stand together against bullying and announce weekly spotlight recipients on morning announcements.
Daily Morning Blurb Options
Day 1 Call: "Who made you feel welcome when you were having a rough morning? Fill out a Kindness Spotlight Card today and acknowledge them."Day 4 Unity: "Kindness isn't weak—it requires courage. When we celebrate each other's integrity, we make our whole school stronger."
Advisory Facilitation Checklist
No Public Calling Out: Avoid naming students who engaged in bullying. Keep scenarios general and solution-oriented.
Promote Diverse Recognition: Encourage nominating quiet acts of inclusion, not just extroverted school leaders.
Upstander Action Campaign • Advisory Resource Page 2 of 2 • Weeks 3 & 4
Kindness Spotlight Nomination Cards Kindness & Unity Spotlight • Peer Nomination Slips
Cut along the dashed lines (4 slips per sheet). Submit to your Advisory Box or Main Office Drop Box by Thursday 3:00 PM.
Cut 4 Slips
Kindness Spotlight
Peer Nomination Ballot
6th 7th 8th
Nominee:
What did you see them do?
Included someone Stood up for a peer Stopped digital drama Daily quiet kindness
Specific story or details (what happened?):
From:
(or Anonymous)
Kindness Spotlight
Peer Nomination Ballot
6th 7th 8th
Nominee:
What did you see them do?
Included someone Stood up for a peer Stopped digital drama Daily quiet kindness
Specific story or details (what happened?):
From:
(or Anonymous)
Kindness Spotlight
Peer Nomination Ballot
6th 7th 8th
Nominee:
What did you see them do?
Included someone Stood up for a peer Stopped digital drama Daily quiet kindness
Specific story or details (what happened?):
From:
(or Anonymous)
Kindness Spotlight
Peer Nomination Ballot
6th 7th 8th
Nominee:
What did you see them do?
Included someone Stood up for a peer Stopped digital drama Daily quiet kindness
Specific story or details (what happened?):
From:
(or Anonymous)
Middle School Upstander Campaign • Building a Culture of Empathy and Belonging
Kindness Shoutouts Facilitator Guide Campaign Implementation Toolkit • Grades 6–8
Kindness Shout-Out Facilitation Guide
Protocol Vetting & Broadcast
Weekly Recognition Rhythm
Repeat each week of October
Mon–Wed
Slips collected in Advisory rooms & Main Office box.
Thursday 3 PM
Advisory rep or Counselor screens slips using equity rubric.
Friday Morning
Live broadcast shout-outs on morning announcements.
Friday Period 7
Certificates delivered to advisory; cards posted to bulletin board.
Vetting Rubric: Keeping Recognition Equitable
1. Filter "Popularity Contests"
Prioritize quiet acts of empathy (e.g., sitting with an isolated peer) over friend-group ballot stuffing.
2. Check for Specificity
Select slips describing clear, verifiable behaviors rather than vague comments like "he's just cool."
3. Spread Across Grades
Ensure each weekly broadcast honors at least one 6th, one 7th, and one 8th grader.
Friday Morning Announcement Scripts
Ready for student anchors
Option A: The Quick-Fire Upstander Roll Call (45 sec)
"Good morning! It's Friday, which means it’s time for our Kindness & Unity Spotlight! This week, our student body submitted over [Number] nominations. Today, we celebrate: [Student Name, 6th] for inviting a new student to their cafeteria table; [Student Name, 7th] for speaking up when teasing started in a group chat; and [Student Name, 8th] for staying behind to help a classmate pick up dropped binders. Thank you for proving that kindness is leadership. Stop by the office during passing period for your certificate!"
Option B: The Upstander In-Depth Story (60 sec)
"Middle school can be challenging, but our school is filled with upstanders who have each other’s backs. Today’s Featured Kindness Spotlight goes to [Student Name] in [Grade] grade. A peer nominated them, writing: '[Insert 2 sentences from the nomination card slip]' . That is the 4 D's in action. Congratulations, [Student Name], and thank you for making our school safe for everyone."
Upstander Action Campaign • Facilitator Toolkit Page 1 of 2 • Guidelines & Scripts
Official Printable Recognition Award Print on heavy paper/cardstock for recipients
Middle School Upstander Campaign
Certificate of Kindness & Unity
This official spotlight is proudly presented to
________________________________________________
Upstander Challenge Student Handout The Upstander Challenge
October Bullying Prevention Activity • Grades 6–8
Part 1: The 4 D's in Action
Name:
Date:
Advisory/Period:
Your Upstander Strategy Toolkit (The 4 D's)
1. Direct Speak up on the spot if it's physically and socially safe.
2. Distract Change the topic or create a diversion to interrupt the harm.
3. Delegate Get an adult or trusted peer to intervene right away.
4. Delay Check in with the targeted person privately afterwards.
Analyze Real-World Scenarios
Read each situation, choose the best strategy, and explain your concrete move.
Scenario 1: Cyberbullying
The Toxic Group Chat
Digital Realm
Someone in your 25-person class group chat posts an unflattering photo of a classmate with a cruel caption. Several classmates react with laughing emojis, and two people post insulting replies. The targeted student hasn't responded.
Best Strategy: Direct Distract Delegate Delay
What exact message would you type or action would you take?
Scenario 2: Hallway Drama
"We're Just Playing Around"
School Hallway
Between periods, a popular student intentionally shoves their shoulder into a 6th grader, knocking their binder open onto the floor. When the younger student looks upset, the student smirks and says, "Watch where you're walking, tiny, we're just joking!"
Best Strategy: Direct Distract Delegate Delay
How would you step up without putting yourself in physical danger?
Upstander Challenge • Student Activity Page 1 of 2
Part 2: Everyday Inclusion & My Pledge
Upstander Scenarios 3 & 4
Scenario 3: Lunchroom
The "Reserved" Table
Cafeteria
A student carrying their lunch tray approaches an open chair at a table. Two students quickly throw their backpacks on the empty seats and say, "Sorry, this is taken for our real friends," leaving the student standing alone looking humiliated.
Choose your move (Direct, Distract, Delegate, or Delay) and describe what you would do:
Scenario 4: Gaming & Voice Chat
Discord / Console Dogpiling
After School Online
You're in an online lobby playing games with classmates after school. One teammate makes a mistake, and two other players start shouting insults into their headsets, telling them they are worthless and threatening to post their gamertag online to get them banned.
