Anti-Bullying
The administrators, counselor, faculty, and support staff are all committed to making Petersburg Primary a safe and nurturing learning environment. We strive to adhere to being positive role models, we honor the character traits of respect, trustworthiness, and courage, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying of any kind at our school.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere. It is not a phase children have to go through, it is not "just messing around," and it is not something to grow out of. Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm. Although definitions of bullying vary, most agree that bullying involves:
Imbalance of Power: people who bully use their power to control or harm and the people being bullied may have a hard time defending themselves
Intent to Cause Harm: actions done by accident are not bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm
Repetition: incidents of bullying happen to the same person over and over by the same person or group
Types of Bullying:
Bullying can take many forms. Examples include:
Verbal: name-calling, teasing
Social: spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships
Physical: hitting, punching, shoving
Cyber-bullying: using the Internet, mobile phones or other digital technologies to harm others
An act of bullying my fit into more than one of these groups.
What can you do if you are being bullied?
Nobody likes to be picked on. What can you do?
- Kids who bully want you to be upset. So don't give them the power! Even if you feel scared or upset, try not to show it.
- Instead of showing the bully that you are upset, laugh or walk away.
- Bullies look for a time to pick on you when you are alone. Try to stick with a partner throughout the day or be in an adult's sight.
- Hold your head up high when dealing with a bully. Look them in the eye and tell them, "No, leave me alone!"
- Always report any bully incident to an adult.