October 13, 2017

National Bullying Prevention Month

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In conjunction with National Bullying Prevention Month, I wanted to reach out to families throughout the district and let them know about what to look for if you feel your child is being bullied, how to participate in nationwide anti-bullying campaigns, and what to do if believe you child is involved in bullying.

The acts of bullying can occur in several ways. They can be verbal, physical, online social networks (Facebook, etc.), via text messages, or even as a result of social exclusion. Bullying can also include physical assault, threats, or intimidation.

Bullying can severely affect a person’s confidence, own self-image, and performance in school. It can also lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even suicidal thoughts or behaviors. In addition, students who participate in bullying are at an increased risk of committing crimes, abusing alcohol and drugs, dropping out of school, and fighting.

According to Stopbullying.gov, about 49% of children in grades 4–12 reported being bullied by other students at school at least once during the past month, whereas 30.8% reported bullying others during that time.

Warning signs that your child might be bullied include:

-Refusal to go to school (afraid of riding the bus)

-Moodiness Changes in school performance

-Sudden Personality changes (sad, depressed, upset)

-Vocalizing suicidal thoughts (“No one would miss me if I wasn’t alive”)

-Avoiding interaction with other classmates and friends

-Bedwetting

The site also states that only approximately 20 – 30% of students who are bullied actually notify adults about the bullying.

This year’s “Unity Day” will take place on Wednesday, October 25th. I’d like to encourage you to wear orange on this day as a display of love, hope, support and unity against bullying.

In 2011, Public Act 11-232, An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws, was enacted to expand on the existing statute to incorporate advances in technology.

The Act expanded the types of conduct that define school bullying and the different types of situations where it can/could occur. It identifies bullying as a the targeting of a student based on the student’s actual or perceived “differentiating” characteristics, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or physical appearance.

In addition, it also defines actions taken through electronic communication as “cyberbulling.”

For more information on bullying please visit here.