Tripping or pushing, spreading rumors, excluding a classmate from playing a game at recess – all of these behaviors are concerning and upsetting. Hearing that your child is a witness to a classmate being treated this way is also upsetting. We all want our kids to be safe.
Bullying
- Aggression toward another person that occurs repeatedly over time
- The harm is intentional and planned
- The aggression is usually unprovoked
- One person/persons who are the aggressors have more power than the victim of the aggression
Cyberbullying
- Cyberbullying is bullying using technology (e-mail, text messaging, the internet, social media, etc.)
Harassment
- Aggression focused on a student’s race, national origin, religion, disability, or sex
- Aggression that is severe, persistent, or pervasive
Not all conflicts are bullying or harrassament.
Peer Conflict
- A one-time or isolated act of aggression between students
- The balance of power is equal or nearly equal between the students
- Peer conflict is not a group of students picking on one student
- Students involved in the conflict are willing to work out their differences or leave each other alone
What If Your Child is Being Bullied?
- First, focus on your child
- Be supportive and listen
- Gather information (who, what, when, where)
- Discourage physical retaliation
- Contact your child’s principal and/or school counselor
- Provide factual information about the incident
- Work with school staff to create a safety plan for your student
- Commit to making the bullying stop
- If the bullying continues contact the principal again
- Teach your child strategies to avoid bullying
- Encourage participation in school and community activities
- Encourage and support positive friendships
- Teach your child to seek help from an adult if he or she is being bullied