The law defines "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" to be any intentional written, verbal, or physical act that a student has exhibited toward another particular student more than once and the behavior:
-causes mental or physical harm, and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student.
Distinguishing Bullying and Other Forms of Behavior
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Rough Play
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Real Fighting
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Bullying
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Usually friends; often repeated (same players) Competitive
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Usually NOT Friends; typically not repeated
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Typically could or could not be friends; generally repeated over time
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Balance of Power
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Power relatively equal
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Unequal power
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No Intent to harm
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Intentional Harm-doing
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Intentional Harm-doing
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Affect us friendly; positive, mutual
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Affect negative; aggressive, tense, hostile affect
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Affect negative; aggressive & differs for victim and aggressor
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Gender Differences
Most studies find that both boys and girls bully.
-Boys with more physical means of intimidation
-Girls with passive, relational aggression
- Boys report being bullied by other boys.
- Girls report being bullied by boys and girls.
- Boys are more likely to be physically bullied by their peers.
- Girls are more likely to be bullied though rumor-spreading, eye rolling, social exclusion.
Possible Warning Signs that a Child is being Bullied
- Comes home with ripped or damaged clothing or property
- Has unexplained cuts, bruises and scratches
- Seems afraid to walk or come to school, fights parents in the morning to attend.
- Misses the bus or frequently claims they are sick
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Takes the long way to and from school to get home or asks to be picked up
- Begins to do poorly in school, grades SUDDENLY drop or loss of interest in school
- Appears to be sad, moody or teary when they come home or after being on-line
- Has trouble sleeping
- Suffers from poor self esteem or low self esteem
What is being done in Windham Schools?
- School counselors are providing lessons in grades pk-8.
- Bullying prevention implemented in teacher’s classroom.
- Student led bullying and non-violence groups in the elementary and junior high school.
- Healthy relationships, conflict management and other peer management skills implemented in grades 8-12.
- Experts brought in as guest speakers.
- Individual counseling
- Collaborating with families, police and other school leaders to implement and define school safety measures.
- Staff development training on the use of research based interventions.
- District-wide revision of identification/reporting/and procedural process when dealing with harassment, intimidation and bullying.
ODE Compliance: 2022-2023 school year reported (district wide): 0 harassment, 0 intimidation, and 0 bullying incidents.
If you suspect your child is being bullied:
- Talk with your child, then talk with the staff at the school to learn more.
- Ask the teacher to talk with other adults who interact with your child at school to see if they are witness to any instances of bullying.
If you are not comfortable talking to your child’s teacher, or if you are not satisfied with the conversation, make an appointment to meet with your child’s school counselor or principal to discuss your concerns and form a plan of action.