Bullying Policy & Prevention

Definition of Bullying

We have adopted the Second Step Bullying Curriculum at FES. According to this research-based program, bullying is mean or hurtful behavior that keeps happening. It is on purpose, unfair, and one-sided. Many instances of bullying also involve an imbalance of power where the bullying student may be older, larger, stronger, or more popular.

Examples: Punching, shoving, and other acts that hurt people's bodies or belongings; Spreading bad rumors about people; Keeping certain people out of a "group"; Teasing people in a mean way; Getting certain people to "gang up" on others.

Bullying also can happen online or electronically. Cyberbullying is when children bully each other using the Internet, mobile phones or other cyber technology. This can include: Sending mean text, email, or instant messages; Posting mean pictures or messages about others in blogs or on Web sites; Using someone else's user name to spread rumors or lies about someone

Prevention

Students are taught to "Recognize, Report, and Refuse" bullying during Friends & Feelings lessons.
Students are also taught about empathy and emotional management, which research shows decrease the instances of bullying in schools.
A schoolwide foundation: The RISE behavior expectations are taught throughout the year. One of the expectations is to "Use empathy to treat others as they would like to be treated."
In the past few years, all certified staff took the Second Step Bullying Prevention course for recognizing and responding to bullying.

What is done when a student is found to be bullying another student?

Based on individual circumstances, students who knowingly bully others may:
- receive consequences such as loss of privileges
- be taught to develop empathy in a more individualized manner
- have increased adult supervision
- have their parents contacted
- have a behavior plans to increase positive behaviors and interactions with peers

Counselors can also provide counseling and increased social skills to provide extra support to the targets of bullying.

Please go to: https://www.secondstep.org/bullying-prevention for more information about the curriculum we adopted at FES.

Fairview Elementary

Counseling Department

Report Bullying

School Counselor Responsibilities

School-wide Bullying Protocol

Guidance Topics

Community Counseling Referrals

Parenting Skill Support