Guidance Counselor Newsletter

Bullying can take many forms:

• Physical (hitting, pushing, taking or damaging belongings)

• Verbal (name-calling, teasing, threats)

• Social/Relational (spreading rumors, exclusion, humiliation)

• Cyberbullying (using technology such as texts, social media, or email to harm others)

Our school is committed to providing a safe, caring, and respectful environment for all students. Bullying, harassment, and intimidation are not tolerated and will be addressed promptly and appropriately.

• All students have the right to learn and play in a safe environment.

• Staff will take action when bullying is reported or observed.

• Reports of bullying will be investigated and documented following school and district guidelines.

• Disciplinary actions for bullying will increase in severity if behavior continues, emphasizing both responsibility and learning from the situation.

  
  

• Speak to a trusted adult
• Talk to a teacher, counselor, or administrator.
• Anonymous Reporting Form

• Fill out the anonymous bullying report form and place it in the counselor’s mailbox.

• CloseGap (Grades 3–8) to report concerns confidentially and safely.

• Contact school staff-Report concerns by phone or email to your child’s teacher, principal, assistant principal, or counselor.

• Online Reporting Form -Fill out the "Report a Bully" form on the counselor’s website.

All reports are taken seriously and will be handled confidentially. If you have questions or need help, please contact the school office.

Initial Review

• A counselor or administrator reviews the report promptly.

• If the report was submitted anonymously, staff will still investigate to the best of their ability.

Investigation

• Interviews may be conducted with:

  • The student who was targeted

  • The student accused of bullying

  • Witnesses, if any

• Staff will gather facts and document findings carefully.

Intervention & Support

• If bullying is confirmed, the school takes immediate steps to stop the behavior.

• Support is provided to the student who was targeted (e.g., counseling, safety planning).

• The student who engaged in bullying will receive appropriate disciplinary action and may also be offered behavioral support.

Parent/Guardian Contact

• Parents/guardians of all students involved will be notified.

• The school will share general information about the steps taken (while respecting student privacy).

Follow-Up

• Staff will monitor the situation to ensure the bullying has stopped.

• Follow-up support is provided as needed to maintain a safe and positive school climate.

Role Play: Practicing Assertiveness

Help your child build confidence by teaching them how to be assertive. Try role-playing different real-life situations together, such as:

• Asking a friend to stop teasing

• Saying “no” respectfully

• Asking for help when needed

Can You Spot It?
Watch a movie as a family, like Mean Girls or Wonder. Afterward, talk about the different characters:

• Who was the bully?

• Who was the target?

• Who were the bystanders?
  Discuss how each person could act differently and what your child might do in a similar situation.