About Bullying
Bullying Prevention
The Bertie County Board of Education is committed to providing a nondiscriminatory environment that is conducive to learning and provides every student and employee in the school system with a safe and orderly learning/working environment.
WHAT IS BULLYING?
BULLYING is any (repeated) pattern of gestures, written, electronic, or verbal communications, OR any physical act or threatening communication that takes place on school property, that:
1) Places a student or school employee in actual and reasonable fear of harm to his or her person, or damage to his or her property; OR
2) Creates, or is certain to create, a hostile environment by substantially interfering with OR impairing a student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits.
- A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT means that the victim subjectively views the conduct as bullying, AND
- The conduct is objectively severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would agree that it is bullying.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE IS BULLYING YOU:
- Tell someone you trust about it. (Or, if it is easier for you, write that person a note instead.) People you might want to tell are parents, teachers, principals, etc.
- If the person you told cannot help you or does not do anything, FIND SOMEONE ELSE!
- Never keep being bullied a secret.
- Try not to let the bully see you upset.
- Avoid areas where the bully feels comfortable picking on you (for example, places where teachers cannot see you).
- Try to surround yourself with friends and people who will stand up for you.
TIPS FOR SPOTTING BULLIES:
- Bullying takes at least two people -- the bully and the victim.
- Bullies enjoy feeling strong and superior.
- Bullies enjoy having power over others.
- Bullies like to create chaos and confusion in the school.
- Bullies show no respect for others.
- Bullies use their power to hurt other people.