Prevent School Bullying

Bullying takes a toll on both a student’s mental well being and academic achievement. Students who have been bullied are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. Low standardized test scores and poor grades are just a few of the results for victims of targeted school bullying. Preventative measures need to be implemented by the school district to create a positive and safe learning environment for all students to excel.

Teachers and staff need sufficient training about the bullying prevention policies set by the school district. Without being able to recognize the more discreet behaviors of bullying, staff will be unable to intervene. Clearly stated codes of conduct by the school will reinforce unacceptable behavior and the consequences of doing so. Bystanders and witnesses will feel more empowered to respond to inappropriate behavior if school rules are prominently displayed. School-wide assemblies and teacher seminars can be held to discuss the detrimental impact of bullying. School staff should be informed about the type of bullying occurring in school and its severity, in order increase prevention. Additional adult supervision in the stairwells and hallways will discourage targeted bullying. Students who are victims of bullying should feel safe to talk with a teacher about the issue one-on-one. Clear reporting systems for this type of behavior need to be set in place by the school. Teachers and students alike should be aware of how to report incidents in a discreet and confidential manner. Communication is key, so a concentrated effort can be made to target the occurrences.

When an incident occurs, school staff need to decide whether it qualifies as bullying and address the student who engages in this behavior. Consequences of bullying should reflect the student’s maturity level. When responding to a conflict, staff should break up the crowd and separate the bully and victim. Interviewing bystanders will give staff a more accurate depiction of the circumstances of the incident. Get the stories of all the parties involved, including the target and the aggressor. Consistent consequences for bullies will show that the school is actively discouraging occurrences. In the case of repeated instances of bullying, parents will need to be involved to handle their child’s repeated disturbances. Parents should be aware of signs of bullying, including aggressive behaviors at home, frequently being sent to the principal’s office, and multiple after school detentions. Encouraging open an dialog between the parent and student will help determine the causes of this behavior and prevent school bullying.