A successful school mission statement sets forth the overall vision of the school. By putting a section in the mission statement that denounces bullying of students, faculty and community are sent a message that bullying is not to be tolerated under any circumstance. Bullying attacks the safety of students, and if the mission statement addresses bullying as such a threat, it’s clear where the school system stands on bullying.
Many young students aren’t aware that they are being bullied because bullying and why it’s wrong has not been explained to them. The Internet has created cyberbullying, where students use social media to harass and intimidate other students. This type of bullying is as relevant now as physical and verbal hazing. Schools must clearly define hazing -- an act against a student that creates the risk of emotional, physical or psychological harm to a person -- so students are aware of what bullying is and why it’s harmful.
It’s positive and safe for a school to set strict and clear policies and rules against bullying and other aggressive, negative behavior. If schools create rules specifying that learning will take place in a safe and respectful environment, any act of bullying would go against a school rule and allow for the bully to be punished. The rules and policies of a school need to outline that adults are available for support on all issues, so students aren’t afraid to address bullying-related issues.
If a student feels physically or emotionally threatened by a bully, the school must provide an easy and efficient way for that student to report the violation. Having strict rules and policies against violent and threatening behavior is a positive thing, but without a means to report a violation, the rules and policies will be broken without consequence. Stress to students that their reports will be confidential, as it will ease any misgivings related to informing an adult about being bullied.