Bullying: What It Is vs. What It Is Not

Understanding Student Behavior in the School Setting

🚫 What Is Bullying?

Bullying is intentional, repeated behavior meant to hurt, intimidate, embarrass, or exclude another person. It often involves a power imbalance (physical strength, popularity, age, social status, etc.).

Bullying Can Include:

• Repeated name-calling or insults

• Threatening or intimidating others

• Spreading rumors or gossip

• Excluding someone on purpose repeatedly

• Physical aggression (hitting, pushing, tripping)

• Cyberbullying through texts, social media, or online games

• Making fun of someone's appearance, race, culture, disability, or identity

• Taking or damaging someone’s belongings intentionally

Signs of Bullying:

• Happens repeatedly over time

• One student has difficulty defending themselves

• Intended to cause fear, embarrassment, or harm

✅ What Bullying Is Not

Not every conflict or disagreement is bullying.

These Situations Are Usually NOT Bullying:

• A single disagreement or argument (we call this a mean moment)

• Conflict between friends (friends cannot bullying each because the power dynamic is not there)

• Accidental rude comments

• One-time teasing without repeated behavior

• Students not getting along occasionally

• Someone choosing different friends

• Normal peer conflict where both students have equal power (if each person is making comments, engaging in behavior, and acting in a mean demeanor that it is going back and forth) 

Important Reminder:

Students can still hurt each other’s feelings without it being bullying.
All disrespectful behavior should still be addressed with kindness, accountability, and support.

🏫 Our School Commitment

We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for all students.

We Encourage Students To:

• Speak up if they see bullying

• Report concerns to a trusted adult

• Treat others with respect and kindness

• Include others and stand against exclusion

• Practice empathy and accountability

💬 “Be the reason someone feels safe, seen, and supported at school.”