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Relentless Intervention Program (RIP)
If a student is being teased or picked on, I would recommend the Relentless Intervention Program (RIP). Every time any adult witnesses or overhears a student teasing or picking on another student, the adult takes the aggressor aside and – very gently, respectfully, politely, and softly – lectures the aggressor for as long as the adult's schedule allows, up to about five minutes for elementary and middle-school students and about eight minutes for high-school students (long enough to be agonizing for the listener). The adult needs to explain how the teasing or other abuse is hurtful to the target, how little good it actually does for the aggressor, how it sets a bad example for other students, how it leads to other students picking on the same target, how it forms a bad habit for the aggressor, how it could harm the reputation of the aggressor, and how it poisons the atmosphere of the school for everyone. This must be done very gently, respectfully, politely, and softly, because we cannot teach gentle behavior roughly. The aggressor should not be required to say or do anything but listen, although apologies and constructive responses would be welcomed. This intervention should be repeated very patiently, but relentlessly, at every opportunity, each time as if it were the first. This must be done immediately by the adult who actually saw or heard the behavior; it should not be used if the behavior is merely suspected. Therefore, the aggressor should never be asked to confess, just to listen. |