What you can do to PREVENT BULLYING
A Guide for Parents & Students
Respect is a basic right
Everyone has the right to feel respected and treated with dignity at Frederick County Public Schools. We maintain a firm policy that prohibits all forms of harassment. And we fully support the Maryland State Board of Education regulation that states our schools must be safe, provide an optimal environment for achievement and be free from harassment.
Our school staffs are sometimes faced with situations in which a student has been threatened, teased, taunted or otherwise intimidated by another student. This form of peer abuse is called harassment, or bullying. When bullying occurs in relation to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, religion or socioeconomic status, it becomes discrimination. if it is allowed to continue, it can lead to violence.
What is bullying?
Bullying is an intentional and hurtful act. It may be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual in nature. The acts range from name-calling and poking or punching, to blackmail, beating, defaming and assault. Bullying is committed in response to a real or perceived power imbalance between the bully and the victim, and is not intentionally provoked by the victim. it can interfere with learning, cause grades to suffer, lead to absenteeism, damage self-esteem, and cause social and emotional problems later in life.
What can be done?
FCPS administrators, teachers and other school staff make every effort to establish clear behavior standards, be aware of problems, provide proper guidance and supervision, and consistently and fairly enforce policies. Frequently, however, bullying incidents occur out of sight of school staff. Research and experience show that a comprehensive approach that includes students and parents has the most promise in reducing bullying and the harm it causes.
Action steps for students
How you respond to bullying can make a difference in how you and others are treated in your school.
Respond as calmly and assertively as you can (anger ignites the situation and tears reinforce the bully's behavior.
Speak up or offer support when someone is being bullied
Seek immediate help from an adult then report bullying or harassment incidents to the principal or school counselor
Privately support those being hurt with kind words
Express disapproval of bullying by not joining in the laughter, teasing or gossip
Speak out in support of respect for all people no matter how "different" their interests, skin color, religion, origin, income, physical appearance or abilities
Defuse a problem situation by taking the bully aside and asking him or her to "cool it"
Strategies for parents
The best protection parents can offer their children is to foster their confidence and independence so children are willing to respond appropriately when necessary
Convince your child that he or she is not at fault and that the bully's behavior is the source of the problem
Encourage peaceful resolutions
Offer support but do not "rescue" your child from challenges or encourage dependence on you
Teach your child to be self-confident and firm in response to bullying rather than hostile or antagonistic
Help your child develop or strengthen friendships and interests that foster acceptance and success
Work collaboratively with school personnel to address the problem
Arrange a conference with school staff to obtain practical advice and intervention with the bully
LJD 4-8-03