Bullying Prevention - Arlington Public Schools

APS is committed to ensuring all students learn and thrive in safe, healthy, and supportive environments. All students participate in lessons to strengthen their understanding and awareness of recognizing, refusing, and reporting bullying behavior; the role of bystanders in bullying prevention; and strategies for building positive, respectful relationships. APS also regularly reviews student behavioral expectations that address bullying/harassment with students and staff; provides ongoing staff and student training on procedures for reporting and responding to bullying/harassment; and provides consistent consequences when incidents of bullying occur.

Report Bullying/Harassment

APS held a Community Information Night on Safe, Inclusive Learning Environments on January 22, 2024.

Watch the presentation and find out more

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Anyone may initiate a complaint for themselves or another party by completing the Bully Harassment Incident Form.

What is Bullying?

According to Virginia Law, bullying is any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyber bullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.

How can parents help?

Teach your student to speak out against bullying. If they observe an incident of bullying, they should inform an adult. Acting as an observer and reporting the facts of the situation is not “tattling” and it takes courage to do the right thing.
Encourage your student to reach out to a student being bullied with kindness and help them talk to an adult.
If you are concerned that your student is being bullied, share your concerns with your student’s counselor or administrator (see below) to develop a plan to help your child feel safe at school.
More Information

For questions about submitting a report, please contact your building principal.

BULLYING PREVENTION INFORMATION

If you’re facing issues or feeling concerned about bullying, reach out to your school counselor or the director of counseling for support and guidance.

NOTE: Due to copyright law, Second Step curriculum cannot be posted on our website. Second Step provides Home Links for all lessons to engage families in the lesson content. Home Links for lessons are posted below. To learn more about Second Step, please visit their website or contact your school counselor.