As we celebrate International Boost Self-Esteem month this February, let us all do our best to be kind to one another and to stay away from hurtful acts of bullying.  Bullying behavior will not be tolerated here at Waller Mill.  Our children have a right to feel safe and comfortable while in the school environment.  Below is an overview of bullying, the warning signs, the effects, and suggestions for handling bullying if it is happening.

What to do if a Child is Being Bullied

Bullying among children is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength.  A child who is being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself.  Bullying can take many forms, such as: hitting and/or punching (physical bullying); teasing or name-calling (verbal bullying); intimidation through gestures or social exclusion (nonverbal bullying or emotional bullying); and sending insulting messages by phone or computer e-mail (cyber bullying).  Usually, bullying is repeated over time.  It is important that adults are vigilant to possible signs of bullying. 

Warning Signs

Possible warning signs that a child is being bullied:

·        Comes home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings

·        Has unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches

·        Seems afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus, or taking part in organized activities with peers

·        Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams

·        Appears anxious and/or suffers from low self-esteem

·        Experiences a loss of appetite

Effects of Bullying

Bullying can have serious consequences.  Children and youth who are bullied are more likely than other children to:

·        Be depressed, lonely, anxious

·        Have low self-esteem

·        Be absent from school

·        Feel sick

What to do if you suspect your child is being bullied?

If your child shows any of the above signs, this does not necessarily mean that he or she is being bullied, but it is a possibility worth exploring.  What should you do?  Talk with your child and talk with staff at school to learn more.

 1.      Talk with your child.  Tell your child that you are concerned about him or her and that you’d like to help.  Here are some questions that can get the discussion going:

·        “I’m worried about you.  Are there any kids at school who may be picking on you or bullying you?”

·        “Are there any kids at school who tease you in a mean way?”

·        “Are there any kids at school who leave you out of things on purpose?”

 2.      Talk with staff at your child’s school.  Call or set up an appointment to talk with your child’s teacher and/or counselor.  He or she will probably be in the best position to understand the relationships between your child and peers at school.  Share your concerns about your child.

 No-Name Calling Week Resource Guide

 You are welcome to call Ms. Kennedy at anytime to speak about issues pertaining to bullying or any other concerns you may have regarding your student(s).  J