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Bullying Information

Normal Peer Conflict

    • Equal power or friends

    • Happens occasionally 

    • Accidental

    • Euqal emotional reaction

    • Not seeking power or attention

    • Remorse - person will take responsibility

    • Not trying to get something

    • Effort to solve problem

Bullying

    • Imbalance of power; not friends

    • Repeated negative actions

    • Purposeful

    • Strong emotional reaction from the victim and little to no reaction from bully

    • Seeking power or control of materials

    • No remorse - blames victim

    • Attempting to gain things or power

    • No effort to solve problem

  • Smith Middle School's Bullying Policy

    In August, 2009, the State of North Carolina passed House Bill 1262 which made cyber-bullying a criminal offense punishable as a misdemeanor. Students should not overlook the fact that misuse of technology at school will be handled with an extreme consequence and possible legal charges.
    Interventions
    • Educate students, staff, and the entire school community about bullying behavior
    • Engage in discussion of bullying: recognizing the behavior and how to stop it
    • Reinforce the concept of respect for all persons in the school environment
    • Work with the bully and the victim through socially appropriate interventions
    • School Resource Officer will be involved
    • Re-teach the expectation
    • Record incident in writing
    • Encourage, but not demand, an apology to the victim
    • Inform parents
    • Encourage counselor intervention
    • Develop a plan for appropriate behavior
    Consequences
    There may be different levels of consequences which may include the following:
    • I.S.S. (in school suspension)
    • O.S.S. (out of school suspension)
    • B.R.E.A.K. Room detention (lunch or after school)
    • Restricted access to activities (dances, sports, clubs, etc.)