October is Stomp Out Bullying Month

In South St. Paul Public Schools, we recognize the month of October as a way to stomp out bullying. October was first declared as National Bullying Prevention Month in 2006. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge that bullying has devastating effects on children and families such as school avoidance, loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety, and depression. According to stopbullying.gov, Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

In our schools, staff and students are talking about bullying. Counselors and teachers are helping students identify what is an act of bullying and what is not. The students are learning the importance of recognizing bullying behavior and how to report it to a trusted adult. On October 18, all students and staff are encouraged to wear orange for Unity Day. Unity Day is a day to wear and share orange to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying.

Students who feel they are being bullied or see someone else being bullied are encouraged to tell a trusted adult and stand up for others. For resources on bullying visit stopbullying.gov, a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There you can find more information on what bullying is, how to prevent it, how to encourage others not to bully, and what to do if someone you know is being bullied.