Morris Central School

Excellence In Education

Bullying and Harassment Fact Sheet for Students and Families

What is Bullying and Harassment?

Bullying is a deliberate and hurtful pattern of behavior meant to belittle, frighten, hurt, or exclude someone. Bullying is intentional, it happens more than once, and there is an imbalance of power. In short, bullying is a one-sided, unfair match.

Below are examples of some behaviors that can be considered bullying. Harassment is defined as one instance of any one of the behaviors that are deemed as bullying.

• Shoving, pushing, hitting, and other physical aggression

• Spreading Rumors

• Threatening harm with looks, notes, or pictures

• Gossiping

• Excluding - like telling others not to be someone’s friend

• Publicly humiliating others

• Picking on someone because of any difference

• Teasing

• Stealing

These behaviors are prohibited and many are also against the law.

Talk to an adult at school, leave a note, or use the online reporting form (see below for online reporting form).

What about Cyber-Bullying?

Cyber-Bullying is engaging in the same behavior listed above using a cell phone, game devices, or computer systems. Many students use FACEBOOK , MYSPACE, TWITTER, and other online programs. Knowledge is power. You will be held responsible for how you CHOOSE to use technology; held responsible at school and by law enforcement. Even things you write or send to one person become public record and are permanent.

CHOOSE WISELY.

If You Are a Victim of Bullying, You Might:

• Feel like you have no friends.

• Want to hurt someone else or yourself.

• Feel like taking steps to defend yourself.

• Feel helpless to stop the bullying.

• Feel hopeless that anything can be done.

• Be afraid to go to school, or feel anxious all the time.

• Feel bad about yourself.

You are NOT alone.

Talk to a trusted adult or friend.