National Bullying Prevention Month

Sun, 10/01/2023 - 1:22pm

October is the start of National Bullying Prevention Month! We wanted to use this opportunity to share with our students, parents, guardians, and families some information and definitions to better help you understand bullying. It is important that you understand what bullying is to ensure you are able to report it when you see it or are told about it. Thank you for helping to ensure our school a safe place for all students!

 

How do I know if something is bullying?

Conflict between students is inevitable, but it’s not always easy to identify whether the conflict is bullying or mean/rude behavior.   Understanding the difference is important so we know how to respond.  Here are a few key points to consider when determining if something is bullying:

  • Bullying - Repeated, harmful, and involves an unfair power match 

  • Mean - Hurt is intentional/purposeful, but not part of a larger pattern or a mismatch

  • Rude - Accidentally hurting another person’s feelings

All of these behaviors require attention.  Addressing mean/rude behavior early can help prevent a student from turning their behavior into a pattern of bullying. 

 

What are some of the different types of bullying?

Bullying can appear in many different forms.  Below are a few examples.

  • Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things.  Verbal bullying includes:

    • Teasing

    • Name Calling

    • Inappropriate sexual comments

    • Taunting

    • Threatening to cause harm

  • Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone's reputation or relationships.  Social bullying includes:

    • Leaving someone out on purpose

    • Telling other children not to be friends with someone

    • Spreading rumors about someone

    • Embarrassing someone in pubic

  • Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions.  Physical bullying includes: 

    • Hitting/kicking/pinching

    • Spitting

    • Tripping/pushing

    • Taking or breaking someone’s things

    • Making mean or rude hand gestures. 

  • Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. 

    • Most common places cyberbullying occurs are: social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok, text messages, direct messaging, chat rooms, emails and online gaming communities. 

    • Includes sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

    • At times can cross the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

    • More information on Cyberbullying can be found on the Stopbullying website.

 

How do I report bullying?

  1. When you believe bullying has taken place, you should report it through the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation (BCHI) reporting form.  Reporting can take place in one of three ways:

    1. Complete a BCHI online reporting form

    2. BCHI paper reporting form (available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office

    3. An oral report to a staff member 

  2. It is important to note that policy states “in the event the reporting party does not complete a BCHI Reporting Form, school administrators/supervisors will take the appropriate steps to address and document the incident.”  Therefore, if you or someone else makes an oral report, it then must be documented (i.e. through a BCHI reporting form) by the administrator.