Jane was always what her mother described as “willful.”

[tomkkk]

Jane was always what her mother described as “willful.”  She is ten years old and in the fourth grade at
Cascade Ridge Elementary School.  Jane is a little above average academically and the leader of three
other girls in her class at school. Jane is also a bully.
It started when the four girls in Jane’s group all wanted to sit together at lunch.  Jane made their table
exclusive by saving seats for her three friends and not allowing anyone else to eat with them.  She would
glare at any girl who even considered sitting in her territory.  If the girl didn’t understand Chloe’s glare,
she would say something like, “You’re ugly.  Nobody wants to eat lunch with you!”
Jane and her friends would giggle at the unfortunate girls she intimidated until everyone knew not to go
near Jane or risk one or her crushing verbal stings.  Jane quickly realized the power she wielded and
used it to get many of the items her mother would later discover.
By the time Jane’s parents realized their daughter was exhibiting some very unseemly and antisocial
behaviors, Jane had amassed an impressive collection of hair ties and barrettes, pencils, erasures, and
pencil cases, costume jewelry and CDs.  She even had a cell phone.
“Where did you get all this?” her father demanded.  
“Kids just gave it to me,” Jane said without emotion.  She had no intention of revealing the truth to her
parents.  The third grade girl on the swing set was so afraid of Jane she would just leave the playground
whenever Jane walked in her direction.  Sometimes the girl would leave cookies for Jane in the hope
that it could keep some level of peace between them.
Jane’s playground domination was similar to her lunch table conquest.  It always focused on name
calling and put downs towards other girls.  A few times she even “shot” another girl with her finger.  
“You’re stupid,” or “You’re ugly,” were harmful enough, and occasionally it escalated to a more serious
level.
“I’m going to kill you,” or “I gave poison to your dog,” or “Your mother said she never wanted you,”
became the golden phrases that granted Jane every wish from her elementary school cohorts. There
was never any physical violence.  No one every tattled and Jane’s power grew over the course of the
school year.
It wasn’t until one of the victim’s parents asked what became of their daughter’s cell phone that Jane’s
bullying behavior and its cruel results became known to her teacher, her principal, and her parents.


.How the school can help prevent bullying and contrast that with the success rates of
programs in the United States?