Bullying Defined

What is bullying? At first glance, many people might think this behavior is easy to define. Their first image of bullying might be of a physically intimidating boy beating up a smaller classmate. While that would still be considered bullying today, parents need to know that bullying behavior can be much more complex and varied than the stereotype. For example, harmful bullying can also occur quietly and covertly, or through gossip or the Internet, and can cause significant emotional damage.

The definition of Bullying from the WCSD Code of Conduct is as follows:

Bullying is defined as systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation.

May involve but is not limited to:

-Unwanted teasing

-Social Exclusion

-Threat

-Intimidation

-Stalking

-Theft

-Physical violence

-Public humiliation

-Cyberbullying

-Destruction of property

-Sexual, religious, or racial harassment

Bullying may also occur:

a) Through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network within the scope of a public K-12 educational institution; or

b) Through the use of data or computer software that is accessed at a non-schoolrelated location, activity, function, or program or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by a school district or school, if the bullying substantially interferes with or limits the victim’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school or substantially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of a school. This paragraph does not require a school to staff or monitor any nonschoolrelated activity, function, or program.

c) “Within the scope of a public K-12 educational institution” means, regardless of ownership, any computer, computer system, or computer network that is physically located on school property or at a school-related or school-sponsored program or activity.

d) “Cyberbullying” means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which includes, but is not limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photoelectronic system, or photooptical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. Cyberbullying includes the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person, or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying. Cyberbullying also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying.

Help Your Child Identify Bullying

If your child tells you about a situation and you aren’t sure if it’s bullying, use this checklist:

• Does your child feel hurt, either emotionally or physically, by the other child’s behavior?

• Has your child been the target of the negative behavior more than once?

• Does your child want the behavior to stop?

• Is your child unable to make the behavior stop on their own?

If the response to one or more of these questions is “yes,” the more likely it is that the behavior would be considered bullying and you are encouraged to contact your child's school to report the situation.

Bullying Prevention Resources

Kids Against Bullying 

PACERKidsAgainstBullying is a creative, innovative and educational website designed for elementary school students to learn about bullying prevention, engage in activities and be inspired to take action.

Stop Bullying What Kids Can Do

Are you being bullied? Do you see bullying at your school? There are things you can do to keep yourself and the kids you know safe from bullying.

Stop Bullying What Teens Can Do

Bullying stops us from being who we want to be, and prevents us from expressing ourselves freely, and might even make us feel unsafe. If you are bullied, say something!  If you are bullying, it's not cool!

Teens Against Bullying

Teens Against Bullying was created by and for teens, this website is a place for middle and high school students to find ways to address bullying, to take action, to be heard, and to own an important social cause. The Teens Against Bullying is a website created by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center (PACER’s NBPC). Since 2006, PACER’s NBPC has actively led social change to prevent childhood bullying, so that all youth are safe and supported in their schools, communities, and online.

What Parents Should Know About Bullying

As parents continued to express their concerns that they did not know how to help their child and did not know what their rights were or what steps to take, PACER decided to take action.

How to Prevent Bullying

Parents, school staff, and other caring adults have a role to play in preventing bullying. Learn how..

Pacer’s National Bully Prevention Center

Educates and inspires a nation to take action for safe and supportive environments for school age children.