What is Bullying?
Traditionally, bullying is recognized and defined by three primary characteristics. It is aggressive behavior that:
- Is usually repeated over time
- Occurs in a relationship where there is a power imbalance
- Intends to cause harm or distress and/or has a serious harmful or distressing effect on the target
We believe:
- Bullying is mean or hurtful behavior that keeps happening. It is unfair and one-sided.
- Bullying is not safe, respectful, or kind. It is against the rules.
- Recognizing bullying is the first step in getting it to stop.
We respond by following the Three Rs:
Resource: Second Step, Bullying Prevention, SecondStep.org
According to School Code, bullying is defined as any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:
• Placing the student or students in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s or students’ person or property;
• Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s or students’ physical or mental health;
• Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ academic performance; or
• Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.