Bully Prevention Zone

School Board Value Statement On Bullying 


The School Board of the Menomonie Area is dedicated to helping our students become lifelong learners, caring individuals, and responsible citizens. In order to fulfill this promise to the community, we pledge to oversee the development a school culture in the SDMA that is free from bullying, harassment, discrimination, and actions that can cause our students mental or physical harm. Furthermore, the board members acknowledge that we have been elected by the community to ensure that our most valuable resource, our children, are provided with an environment that respects them and their right to be unique individuals. This elected body pledges to an annual review of the district’s bullying and harassment policies and procedures and will do its utmost to ensure that everyone has a safe space for learning and personal growth. 


ADOPTED: January 13, 2020


What is Bullying

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. 

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include: *An imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time.
*
Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.
There are three types of bullying: *Verbal Bullying: saying or writing mean things and includes: teasing, name calling,
inappropriate sexual comments, taunting and threatening to cause harm.
*Social Bullying: leaving someone out on purpose, telling other children not to be friends with someone, spreading rumors about someone and/or embarrassing someone in public.
*Physical Bullying: hitting/kicking/pinching, spitting, tripping/pushing, taking or breaking things, and/or making mean or rude hand gestures.


What can I do?

Parents and students are encouraged to report any situation of disrespect and/or bullying to a teacher, counselor, or administrator.  You can choose to print out, complete, and turn in the District Harassment Report Form, or you can complete and submit the Online Report Forms for each school.


By reporting an incident of bullying, you empower our trained teachers to assist with bully prevention.  It takes courage to stand up for yourself and/or others. We strive to provide a caring and welcoming learning environment for ALL. 

 

Curriculum

Teachers and staff work hard in the prevention of bullying.  Below are a few ways through the district curriculum this is being done. 

Second Steps Bully Prevention Unit:  Kindergarten through 5th grade

Committee for Children - Bullying Prevention Resources