Bullying

    Students: If you feel you are the victim of bullying, please report it.   

    School counselors, teachers and administrators will do all they can to help you.  Click Here to access the bullying report form.  

    Bully pictureBullying is often a major problem in middle school.  Here are a variety of resources for parents, to help them prevent and/or deal with bullying.

    Click here to access a list of bullying resources.

    Cyber Bullying (bullying that takes place on the computer through email or sites such as facebook, myspace, etc...) has increased dramatically in the past few years.  There are steps that parents can take to help keep their children from becoming victims or from becoming a bully.

    Cyberbullying Tips for Parents

    • Keep your home computer in easily viewable places, such as a family room or kitchen
    • Talk regularly with your child about online activities that he or she is involved in.
    • Talk specifically about cyberbullying and encourage your child to tell you immediately if he or she is the victim of cyberbullying, cyberstalking, or other illegal or troublesome online behavior.
    • Encourage your child to tell you if he or she is aware of others who may be the victims of such behavior.
    • Explain that cyberbullying is harmful and unacceptable behavior.  Outline your expectations for responsible online behavior and make it clear that there will be consequences for inappropriate behavior.
    • Although adults must respect the privacy of children and youth, concerns for your child’s safety may sometimes override these privacy concerns.  Tell your child that you may review his or her online communications if you think there is reason for concern.
    • Consider installing parental control filtering software and/or tracking programs, but don’t rely solely on these tools.
    •  Contact Law enforcement or Cyber Tipline if:
      -You find child pornography on the computer
      -Your student has received sexually explicit images or communication.
      -Your student has been sexually solicited by someone first met online

    *** Keep all evidence

    Cyberbullying Tips for Students

    KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN CYBERBULLIED

    • Ignore harassing or rude comments posted on your profile
    • Save or print the evidence
    • Tell an adult you trust
    • Try to identify the individual doing the cyberbullying
    • Block future contact if possible
    • Change your account
    • Call the police if the contact involves threats of violence, stalking, child pornography, sexual solicitation, obscene calls or text messages

    KNOW HOW TO PREVENT IT

    • Only share your password with your parent/guardian
    • Change your passwords often
    • Set your page and blog to private
    • Keep your personal information private

    KNOW HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH

    • Use a nickname that doesn’t identify your gender, age or location
    • Think before posting or sending photos-they could be used to hurt you now and later
    • Alter your pictures before you post them to remove identifying information
    • Don’t post your plans or whereabouts online
    • Never meet in person with anyone you meet online
    • Think about the real-life consequences of what you post

     

    Cyber Tipline: 1-800-843-5678

    Montgomery County Police Pedophile Section: 240-773-5400

    Source: www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/

    www.netsmartz.org

    www.cybertipline.com