Bullying Information

Information About Our

Bullying Prevention Program

LCPS Bullying Prevention and Education Policy: HERE

Bullying Prevention Coordinators for Mountain View Elementary School:

Administrators Brad Toohill and Dee Griffith

School Counselors Adria Cancelosi and Michelle Pinckney

What is Bullying?

Bullying is an act of aggression in the form of:

Bullying is behavior that is:

What isn’t Bullying?

Certain acts of exclusion that happen every now and again (not being invited to a party, not being included in a game at recess)
Disliking someone- as long as the person is not verbally or physically aggressive about it, it is okay for one student to dislike another
Accidental physical harm
Being bossy- this is a tough one for many, but appropriate leadership is a developmental skill that many children won’t master until much later
Arguments

As a parent, what can I do?

Model positive behaviors
Encourage your children to solve small problems on their own
Use the Second Step vocabulary
Identify trusted adults at school and in the community
Observe for warning signs (constant on and off again friendships, depressed and lonely, school refusal)
Take reports of bullying behavior seriously
Actively listen and ask questions to find out details
Don’t minimize their feelings by saying it’s “just a phase” or “that’s just how girls are”, etc.
Practice assertiveness and social skills through role-play
Inform school staff

Signs a Child is Being Bullied:

Look for changes in the child. However, be aware that not all children who are bullied exhibit warning signs.

Unexplainable injuries
Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness
Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.
Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school
Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations
Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem
Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide