Bullying: What to know & do

 

What is Bullying?

 

According to State Law and P-H-M Board Policy, bullying is overt, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications transmitted, physical acts committed, or any other behaviors committed by a student or a group of students against another student with intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other student. 

 

This type of behavior is a form of harassment, although it need not be based on any legally protected characteristic such as sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, or disability.  It would include but not be limited to, such behaviors as stalking, intimidating, menacing, coercion, name calling, taunting, making threats and hazing.

 

If your child shares a bullying situation with you or you see a situation you believe is bullying:

  • Report the situation immediately to the principal, teacher or other staff member.
  • Model and provide appropriate ways to handle the situation or help your child find alternative ways to handle the situation.
  • Monitor your child’s social relationships.
  • Be observant and/or available at bus stops, at extracurricular activities, or at other places in your community where these situations might occur.
  • Monitor your child’s use of the telephone, cell phone, and the internet.
  • If bullying behavior continues, file a P-H-M harassment form.  
  • Click here to fill out a written form to report bullying. 
  • Click here to fill out a complaint via Safe School Helpline.