Bullying Prevention Month: What Pennsbury Schools Do

FALLSINGTON, PA — October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and schools are putting emphasis on efforts to stop bullying. That includes the Pennsbury School District, which has policies and programs in place to prevent the troubling behavior.

Pennsbury schools, which have been deemed a National District of Character, have a continuing character education initiative, said spokeswoman Ann Langtry. They work year-round with the likes of NOVA and The Peace Center, holding age-appropriate lessons on topics that relate to bullying prevention.

The Pennsbury bullying policy, which went into effect in 2017, states that bullying "creates and atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning and may lead to more serious violence."

All forms of bullying by students are prohibited under the policy, including those directly in a school setting and those "which would have implications in a school setting."

Students are encouraged to report bullying promptly to a principal or other school official and the school board directed that any complaints be investigated promptly. Students who violate the policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action under the district's code of student conduct.

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Confidentiality should be maintained when bullying is reported, the policy states, and "no reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying."

The policy also directs that bullying prevention programs and practices be instituted and maintained within the school system.

National statistics vary, but an aggregate of 80 different studies on bullying suggests one in five American students between 12 and 18 is bullied at some point during their middle or high school years.

Traditional bullying — name calling, public humiliation, isolation, physical violence and that sort of thing — occurs most often, with 35 percent of kids reporting they've been targeted in one of those ways. The studies cited by the PACER Center, which established National Bullying Prevention Month, show that 15 percent of kids surveyed report being cyberbullied.

Among the marquee National Bullying Prevention Month activities is Unity Day, observed on Wednesday, Oct. 24, when everyone is encouraged to wear and show orange to send a message that no child should ever experience bullying.

"Orange provides a powerful, visually compelling expression of solidarity," Paula Goldberg, the executive director of the PACER Center, said in a statement. "Whether it's hundreds of individuals at a school wearing orange, store owners offering orange products or a community changing a landmark to orange, the vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, sending the supportive, universal message that bullying is never acceptable behavior."

Here's more about Unity Day:

We want to hear from you. Do you have a story to tell about bullying or cyberbullying, a suggestion about how to stem it or an event to publicize? Comment at the end of the story, or email doug.gross@patch.com and copy bullies@patch.com.