Bullying and Cyberbullying

Definition of Bullying and Cyberbullying

Bullying takes place when a stronger or more emotionally or socially powerful individual intentionally and repeatedly hurts, threatens, or torments a more vulnerable individual. Bullying:

is deliberate.

happens repeatedly.

represents a marked imbalance of power between bully and target. Bullying is a one-sided, unfair match.

Bullying, therefore, is different from a single incident of teasing. It is, in fact, an abuse of power. Bullying also differs from play, and from the normal conflicts of childhood. When two children of approximately equal strength or power are engaged in a fight, it is not bullying. Thus, although all acts of bullying are aggressive, not all aggressive acts are bullying. Bullying can occur face to face or it can happen behind one's back, especially through cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is defined as willful and repeated harm inflicted through the medium of any electronic devices. Bullying can be short-term or it can last a long time. Bullying can be done by an individual or by a group.

If a student feels that s/he is being bullied, it is important to tell a trusted adult, a parent, teacher, counselor, principal, or nurse, who can help him/her.

As young children learn to regulate emotions, impulses in addition to learning to develop friendships and solve conflicts may arise. At Davis School we use these instances as opportunities to practice the skills of solving conflicts, repairing relationships and managing emotions. While these conflict are often not found to be bullying, we welcome the opportunity to work with you and your child to practice these important lifelong skills. Please feel free to communicate with us in regards to a challenge even when you suspect it is a typical conflict that arises as children learn and grow together.

Ways to Report Bullying:

	Please use any of the following methods to report bullying to the administration of School.
Bullying Reporting	Click here to report a bullying incident using an online google form.
Paper Bullying Reporting Form	Download the linked PDF form to report a bullying incident.    Be sure to deliver the completed form to the main office at: Davis School 410 Davis Road Bedford, MA 01730
Phone Call	Please call the main office at 781-275-6804
Email	Please email a teacher, counselor, administrator or other school faculty member. All staff and faculty email contacts are on this website.