What is bullying? Bullying happens when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose. The person being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself. Usually, bullying happens over and over. ​

Examples of bullying include:

• Hitting, kicking, shoving and other physical kinds of bullying

• Taunting, teasing, name-calling

• Spreading rumors about others

• Excluding or ignoring others in a mean way

• Taking money or other belongings

• Sending mean e-mails or notes

“Cyberbullying” is “the repeated use of information technology, including e-mail, instant message, blogs, chat rooms, pagers, cell phones and gaming systems to deliberately harass, threaten or intimidate others.”

Cyerbullying will not be tolerated on school grounds (including school transportation) or at school-sponsored events or functions, using either school or personal information technology equipment.

 How to keep yourself and your classmates safe from bullying

Treat Everyone with Respect

Stop and think before you say or do something that might hurt someone else.

Talk to a trusted adult like your parents, a teacher or guidance counselor.  They can help you find ways to be nicer to others.

Understand that everyone is different.

If you think that you have bullied someone in the past, apologize. 

If you are bullied

Tell the Bully to "Stop"

• Make eye contact. 

• Express confident body language; head up, back straight, arms down in front or on the side of the body and feet at shoulder width.  

• No fidgeting! 

• Speak clearly - a steady tone, not too loud, too soft, whiny or sarcastic.   

• Make short statements such as, "Stop!" or "Cut it out!" 

• Then turn and walk away.  Don't look back.

Ignore the Bully

You can also ignore the bully.  Don't make faces, cry, sigh, or make any gesture signaling distress.  Often, when bullies don't get a reaction, they stop. 
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​Always Tell a Trusted Adult 
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​Always tell a trusted adult.  This is not tattling; this is requesting assistance with a serious problem.

No matter where the bullying happens, you should talk to your parents if you are bullied or see or know about bullying that is taking place.  Ask them for ideas about how to help.

What to do if you see or feel you or anyone else is being bullied, harassed or discriminated against.  

​Don’t be a Bystander- Be an Ally - If you see something, say something. Say something to support the victim or notify an adult who can assist.

​Make a formal complaint to your Dignity Act Coordinator Teacher. Guidance Counselor or School Administrator. They will either take your verbal complaint or assist you in filing a Dignity Act Complaint Form.

​​The school district will promptly investigate any complaint of bullying.