October

October is Bullying Prevention Month!

The Wellness Center is focusing our monthly outreach on Bullying Prevention for the month of October. Partner with us as we build a strong, positive community that ensures all students feel welcome and safe at Park High School. The definition of bullying is “unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and an intent to harm. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated over time, and interferes with educational activities.” Individuals who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. Other forms of bullying include relational aggression and online/cyber interactions. Relational aggression is harming others through purposeful manipulation and damage of peer relationships. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by texts or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.

Below you can find the district’s bullying prohibition parent resources:

https://www.sowashco.org/cms/one.aspx?portalId=1217437&pageId=2976529

For students, Park’s Submit a T.I.P is a safe, confidential way to stop bullying or help someone facing mental health issues, or otherwise in need. It should not be used for immediate threats and is not a substitute for 911. This is a new system that is replacing TipTxt.

https://www.sowashco.org/parents/tip_and_information_portal

District Policy:

District Bullying Policies and Forms

October Outreach for Students

National Bullying Prevention Month!

Preventing Cyberbullying - Top Ten Tips for Adults Who Are Being Harassed OnlineThis Top Ten List provides specific guidance for adults who want to protect themselves from potential cyberbullies.

Standing up to Cyberbullying: Top Ten Tips for Teens - Cyberbullying Research CenterDon’t be a bystander—stand up to cyberbullying when you see it. Take action to stop something that you know is wrong. These Top Ten Tips will give you specific ideas of what you can do when you witness cyberbullying.

When someone has power over a person and that person being is being bullied, it can be difficult for that person to stand up for themselves. Being bullied impacts that person's behaviors and interactions for a long time. This also impacts their self perception and mental state for long periods of time. This type of stress on top of everything else that person has going on in their life can create trauma and stressors. For these reasons, none deserves to be bullied. If you or anyone you know is being bullied do not fear in informing an adult. You and the students at Park High School matter. Take a stand.

Warning Signs for Bullying

Unexplained injuries
Lost or destroyed clothing, electronics, school supplies
Frequent headaches or stomachaches, faking illnesses
Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
Decrease interest in school work and declining grades
Acts of isolation and decrease in regular activities

Silence is acceptance. Learn to speak up and uplift others around you. You never know what someone might be going through on their own. Be a role model and support system to others around you.