BULLYING

Sundown Lane Guidance Lessons

September, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

          In order to maintain a healthy learning environment, our school wants to take a preventive stance against Bullying.  Students in kindergarten through fourth grades were informed about how to recognize Bullying and Bystanders by the school counselor on September 1 and 3, 2010.

WHAT IS BULLYING? 

It is behavior by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group, either physically or emotionally.  IT IS ALL ABOUT BIG ON LITTLE, MANY ON FEW, SMART ON LESS SMART, OLDER ON YOUNGER.  In other words, an IMBALANCE OF POWER.  BYSTANDERS who witness these behaviors and do not report them to adults risk the possibility of negative consequences, also.  Students have been encouraged to report any student(s) who repeatedly exhibit the following behaviors:

a.     Teasing, spreading rumors, mocking, name-calling, gossiping

b.     Hitting, kicking, spitting, pushing

c.      Taking belongings, excluding from groups

d.     Writing or drawing offensive graffiti

e.      Threatening

This year, our fourth grade students will also be informed about the dangers of CYBER BULLING:  Any form of Bullying that involves the use of mobile phones or internet.

a.     Sending offensive text messages and e-mails

b.     Circulating degrading images on the internet

c.      Impersonating someone on social networking such as Facebook

An excellent resource for parents is to view the video on the CISD website.  On the Homepage, click “For Parents,” then “Parenting Videos,” and select Bullying.

Thank you,

Elva Devers, Counselor