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Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation

A safe, secure, and nurturing learning environment is critical to student success. Bullying and cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation are unsafe behaviors that do not reflect respect for others as defined by the Code of Student Conduct. If a student is a target of one of these behaviors, you can report it using the Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form. This form is also available in the main office of schools, the school counseling office, social worker office, or by contacting Student Services.

Be assured that SMCPS has and will continue its commitment to proactively address this issue and enhance both prevention and intervention strategies to stop acts of bullying.

If you ever feel that a student is at risk, please reach out to us using any of the following methods:

Bullying is unwanted, demeaning behavior among students that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or is highly likely to be repeated, over time. To be considered bullying, the behavior must be intentional and include the following:

  • An imbalance of power (student who bully use their physical, emotional, social, or academic power to control, exclude, or harm others), and 
  • Repetition (bullying behaviors happen more than once or are highly likely to be repeated based on evidence gathered).

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through texting, apps, or online via social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or hurtful content about another student. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

Harassment includes actual or perceived negative actions that offend, ridicule, or demean another student with regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, family/parental or marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, or disability.       

Intimidation is any communication or action directed against another student that threatens or induces a sense of fear and/or inferiority. Retaliation may be considered a form of intimidation.