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Home » Mental Health » Bullying Prevention

Bullying Prevention

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.

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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Any student, parent/guardian, or school staff may initiate a complaint for themselves or another party by completing the Bully Harassment Incident Form.

What is Bullying?

APS Policy J-6.8.1 Student Safety – Bullying/Harassment Prevention defines bullying as:

  • aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate
  • involving a power imbalance between the aggressor/aggressors and student
  • repeating infliction or attempting infliction of injury, discomfort, or humiliation
  • a pattern of aggressive, intentional or hostile behavior that occurs repeatedly and over time
  • cyberbullying, when occurring through the use of electronic means

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

Contact

Dr. Kristin Devaney, Supervisor of Student Services
[email protected]
703-228-6062

Bully Prevention

You may contact your school’s counselor or Director of Counseling with any questions about prevention.

Arlington Public Schools strives to develop and maintain a climate of respect within each school and will implement comprehensive procedures to reduce the incidence of bullying and harassment within the school division. Arlington Public Schools will establish student behavioral expectations that address bullying/harassment; provide ongoing staff and student training; establish procedures for reporting bullying/harassment; and provide consistent consequences when incidents of bullying occur (Policy Implementation Procedure J-6.8.1 PIP-1 Student Safety Bullying-Harassment Prevention).   For any questions related to bullying prevention, you may contact your school counselor (Elementary) or Director of Counseling (Secondary).

 

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