October is Bullying Prevention Month
DCPS is committed to making every school a safe and welcoming space for your child, and families are critical partners in these efforts. One of the most proactive measures families can take to shield their children from bullying is to talk to them early and openly about what it means to be bullied or to bully. Doing so not only ensures that you and your child maintain open lines of communication but also reinforces the importance of speaking up about problems at school.
DCPS has a Bullying Prevention Policy that is as proactive and comprehensive as possible when dealing with all reports of bullying.
If you suspect your child may be bullied at school, don’t be afraid to ask them about it.
Make sure to tell them that you are there to help and you believe what he or she has to say.
Please report, or have your child report, bullying to the school’s Bullying Prevention Point of Contact or the principal.
If you think your child is bullying others, discuss the behavior and make it clear that bullying is taken very seriously at school. At the same time, you may want to work with your child to understand some of the reasons behind the bullying.
If you witness or become aware of cyber-bullying (use of the Internet and related technologies to bully) that includes threats of violence, child pornography or sexually explicit materials, stalking or hate crimes, please consider reporting the incident to law enforcement. Cyber-bullying can also create classroom disruptions and lead to in-person bullying.
Reporting Bullying
Students who believe that they have been the victim of bullying or who have observed bullying behavior may report such incidents to any staff member in the building. We strongly encourage students to report bullying and bullying behavior to an adult with whom they feel comfortable sharing their concerns. This may include a classroom teacher, a counselor or mental health professional in the building (social worker, school psychologist, etc.), an administrator, an athletic coach, or any support staff member. It is important that students report incidents of bullying early and know that all adults in the building are here to support healthy social interactions among classmates.
