What is Bullying?

October is Bullying Awareness Month, and we want to take this opportunity to reinforce our commitment to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students.

Understanding what bullying is—and what it is not—is essential for recognizing and addressing harmful behavior. According to our school’s definition:

Bullying occurs when a student or group of students repeatedly engages in behavior such as intimidation or harassment that:

• Physically harms a student, damages their property, or causes fear of such harm.
• Is severe, persistent, or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, threatening, or abusive environment—physically or emotionally.
• Involves a real or perceived imbalance of power or strength.
• May also be a violation of the law.

It’s important to note that bullying is different from one-time teasing or conflict. While teasing can be upsetting, it does not typically involve a repeated pattern or power imbalance. However, when teasing becomes frequent, targeted, and harmful, it may escalate into bullying and must be addressed.

We encourage you to talk with your child about their experiences at school and remind them that they can always speak to a trusted adult if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. If you notice signs of distress or suspect bullying, please reach out to us so we can work together to support your child.

Let’s use Bullying Awareness Month as a reminder to promote kindness, empathy, and respect in our school community—every day.