Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation

What is bullying?

Bullying refers to conduct that:

• Adversely affects a student's ability to participate in or benefit from the school's educational programs or activities;
• Is a result of repeated negative actions (intentional, aggressive behavior) by one or more other students over time; and
• Occurs in a relationship in which there is an imbalance of power.  

A student is bullied when he or she is exposed repeatedly and over time to intentional negative actions on the part of one or more students, and whose ability to participate in and benefit from the school’s educational programs or activities is adversely affected.  Bullying causes harm from repeated negative conduct in a relationship with an imbalance of power.

Warning Signs

Parents and caregivers should be on alert for behavior changes and other signs that a child is being bullied.

Warning Signs may include:

• a decline in grades
• unexplainable injuries
• depressed mood
• visibly upset or angry during or after internet use or cell phone use
• withdrawal from friends and/or activities
• a change in eating habits and sleep patterns
• feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem
• increased physical complaints (headaches, stomach upset)
• school/work avoidance
• self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, self-harm or talking about suicide.
• previously a target of traditional bullying

Resources

• https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/what-is-bullying
• https://www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/parents/definition-impact-roles.asp

What to do if you are a victim of bullying

There are things you can do

• if you are being bullied:
• In a calm, clear voice, tell the person to STOP.
• If speaking up seems too hard or not safe, walk away and stay away.
• Report the bullying to a trusted adult.

Do not keep your feelings inside. Talk to a trusted adult.

Anti-Bullying Month Activity

October is National Bullying Prevention Month and this year's theme, Together Against Bullying: UNITED for Kindness, Acceptance and Inclusion is more appropriate than ever!

To help commemorate the month, we want you to share a short video describing how you show or demonstrate kindness, acceptance and inclusion. For example, “I show kindness by smiling and saying hello to my classmates.”

Here’s an overview of the activity:

• ENTRY WINDOW: October 2-16
• ELIGIBILITY: This activity is open to all students.
• VIDEO ENTRY: Videos should be 20 words or less and recorded horizontally (landscape) in a well-lit area.
• WHAT TO INCLUDE: You must include one of the following phrases:
  • "I show/demonstrate kindness by…”
  • “I show/demonstrate acceptance by…”
  • “I show/demonstrate inclusion by…”
• HOW TO SUBMIT: Video should be submitted to studentservices.br@pgcps.org.
• ENTRY DEADLINE: October 16
• WINNING VIDEOS: Winning videos will be featured on social media and the Student Services website.

Cyberbullying, also known as electronic bullying or online social cruelty, is the use of information or electronic communication technologies to bully others.

Methods include bullying that takes place:

• through email
• through instant messaging
• in a chat room
• on a website or gaming site

through digital messages or images sent to a cellular phone
Distinct challenges exist with cyberbullying as aggressors find it easier to hide their identity and may have greater accessibility to their target due to the 24-hour cycle of text messages and email and social media.

Intervention Tips for Responding To Cyberbullying

• Save the evidence
• Print copies of messages and websites (Students should do this with an adult)
• First Offense (if minor in nature) – ignore, delete, or block the sender
• If a fake or offensive profile targeting your child is set up on a social networking site, report it to the site
• The link for reporting cyber bullying and fake profiles can be found under the help sections of many websites
• Investigate your child’s online presence
• Search your child’s name occasionally through a variety of search engines
• If the perpetrator is another student, share evidence with the school administrator
• Report the cyber bullying to the police or cyber crime unit in your area if the cyber bullying contains threats, intimidation or sexual exploitation
• If your child expresses emotional distress or thoughts of self harm seek professional help immediately

Students have a critical role to play in preventing cyber bullying as you are more likely to witness the behavior...

• Don’t engage in or support mean material, gossip, or rumors posted online
• Tell an adult at home and at school if you see inappropriate content
• Use social reporting tools to flag cyberbullying or inappropriate content
• Talk to the student who is cyber bullying if it is safe, and make it clear that you think their behavior is wrong
• Remember that ANYONE can forward what you put online
• Whatever you post, lives forever (Even those apps that allow you to delete!)
• Some people pretend to be someone else and may sometimes send hurtful messages. Do not share personal information.
• Do not share your passwords with your friends. Do share your passwords with parents.
• Keep your parents in the loop. Tell them what you’re doing online and who you’re doing it with. Let them friend or follow you. Listen to what they have to say about what is and isn’t okay to do. They care about you and want you to be safe.
• Remember that no one is really invisible online. Create a positive digital footprint and enjoy the benefits of social media. Being kind to others online will help to keep you safe. Do not share anything that could hurt or embarrass anyone.

PGCPS Staff should...

• Infuse digital citizenship throughout instruction.
• Provide tips on appropriate posting and sharing, privacy, digital footprint, media literacy, and online “netiquette”

Resources

https://cyberbullying.org/resources/parents

True or False

True or False: Any information you put online or on your phone can be easily shared, copied, and pasted in other places.

True. You are creating a “digital footprint” and what goes online stays online. Any information that you share online—photos, videos, emails, text messages and more—can be easily shared, copied and pasted in other places.

True or False: Many social media sites offer some sort of system to report bullying content.

True. Many social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram have systems to report bullying content. You can report any content that violates Facebook‘s Community Standards or Instagram’s Community Guidelines. Remember to give a clear description of where the content is. You may also want to take screenshots of any offending posts, photos, or conversations with the person who is bullying you. Facebook also offers the social reporting tool, which allows individuals to communicate directly with a person about the content they have posted that you don’t like.

True or False: If you are being bullied online, you should immediately delete all of the bullying messages and posts.

False. It’s tempting to delete messages and other bullying content sent to you, especially if you are trying to ignore the bullying. This however can become problematic if you need to provide proof of the cyberbullying to school officials or law enforcement officials later on.

• English - Bullying Reporting Form.pdf
• Spanish - Bullying Reporting Form.pdf
• Administrative Procedure 5143 - Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation and attachments