Bullying Prevention

Report Bullying

Complete this form.

Bullying Prevention Department

Purpose: To provide educational resources and support to JCPS stakeholders concerning bullying prevention. These educational resources and supports are intended to build capacity within the learner (student or adult) in an effort to increase awareness, reduce bullying behavior, aid persons involved in bullying situations, and increase positive culture and climate within schools and our district.

  • We are not a department that handles disciplinary actions, other behavioral, or special education concerns.
  • We offer educational presentations and resources on bullying prevention to students, staff, families, and community stakeholders.
  • We monitor and distribute Tipline reports and communicate with the assistant superintendents' offices.
  • We conference with students, staff, and/or parents (if requested) concerning bullying prevention.
  • We observe students in a classroom setting in an effort to pinpoint possible bullying activity.
  • We offer recommendations in an effort to help reduce the opportunity for bullying to take place.
  • We are trained as Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Trainers and are certified to train nationally to create a sustainable team within a school.

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is repeated and deliberate physical, verbal, or social attacks or intimidation directed toward another person. There is a real or perceived imbalance of power between the person displaying bullying behavior and the person harmed. Bullying may be done by one individual or a group and is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology.

Protocol for Reporting

We encourage all reporters to:

  • Communicate your concern with the classroom teacher.
  • Communicate your concern with a school administrator.
  • Request a face-to-face meeting with the school to discuss concerns/events/allegations.
  • Submit a Tipline report via phone or online.
    • This report will give notice to the assistant superintendent’s office
    • The report is still investigated at the school level.

If the school needs assistance or resources, then we support. We speak with students, school staff, and families to get concerns addressed and handled.

Overview

  • Bullying is a serious problem that parents need to acknowledge and address.
  • There are different types of bullying:
    • Physical bullying includes punching, poking, hair pulling, beating, biting, and strangling.
    • Verbal bullying includes name calling, teasing, and gossiping.
    • Emotional bullying includes rejecting, terrorizing, extorting, blackmailing, isolating, and defaming.
    • Sexual bullying includes sexual propositioning or sexual harassment.
    • Cyberbullying includes bullying that takes place using electronic technology.
  • Likely persons harmed by bullying behavior are those who look different, act different, or select activities that are not mainstream.
  • Persons harmed do not intentionally provoke bullying.
  • It can be committed by one or more children against another.
  • Bullying not only harms people but also negatively affects the climate of the school and the opportunity for all students to learn and achieve.
  • Kentucky's House Bill 91, often referred to as the "Bullying Bill" (now codified as KRS 158.156), was passed during the 2008 legislative session. The law requires school districts to have plans, policies, and procedures to deal with measures for assisting students who are engaged in disruptive and disorderly behavior.

Warning Signs

What are some signs of my child being harmed by bullying behavior?

  • Sleeplessness or nightmares
  • Drop in grades
  • Unexplained cuts, bruises, or scratches
  • Damaged or missing clothes, books, or belongings
  • Withdrawal or loss of interest in hobbies or friends
  • Frequent complaints of headaches or stomachaches
  • Frequent requests to stay home from school
  • Exhibiting nervous or fearful behavior about attending school or riding the bus

What are some signs that my child may be displaying bullying behavior?

  • Frequent name calling
  • Regular bragging
  • A constant need to get his or her own way
  • Spending time with younger or less powerful children
  • A lack of empathy for others
  • A defiant or hostile attitude; easily takes offense

Prevention Information

What can I do if my child has been bullied?

  • Foster your child’s confidence, and assure him or her that he or she is not to blame for the bullying.
  • Be willing to take action when needed.
  • Find out what the bullying plan is at your child’s school; work collaboratively with school personnel to address the problem.
  • Offer support to your child, but don’t encourage dependence on you.
  • Don’t encourage aggressive behavior; instruct your child not to bully back.
  • Help your child develop new friendships.
  • Stay involved, and be supportive of your child's school and extracurricular activities.
  • Stay informed about what your child is doing and with whom he or she is socializing.
  • Promote respectful behavior:
    • Spend quality time with your child.
    • Know your child's friends.
    • Be consistent about discipline.
    • Eliminate toys, games, and TV shows that reward aggression.
    • Encourage your child to be slow in taking offense.
    • Make sure your child knows what other children expect.
    • Help your child see other points of view.
  • Teach your child the difference between tattling and telling. The purpose of tattling is to get someone in trouble; the purpose of telling is to help someone stay safe.

What can I do if my child tells me he or she is a bystander? (A bystander is a student who sees another student being bullied.)

  • Teach your child not to laugh at or join in bullying.
  • Tell your child to join with other bystanders and “stand up together” to convince the person displaying bullying behavior to back down.
  • Help your child learn how to help the person harmed walk away.
  • Assure your child that he or she can tell a trusted adult in the school.