The administrators, counselors, faculty, and support staff are all committed to making Wingate Elementary a safe and nurturing learning environment. We strive to adhere to being positive roles models, we honor the character traits of respect, trustworthiness, and courage, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying of any kind at our school.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere. It is not a phase children have to go through, it is not "just messing around", and it is not something to grow out of. Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm.
Although definitions of bullying vary, most agree that bullying involves:
Imbalance of Power- people who bully use their power to control or harm and the people being bullied may have a hard time defending themselves.
Intent to Cause Harm- actions done by accident are not bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm.
Repetition- incidents of bullying usually happen to the same the person over and over by the same person or group.
Types of Bullying:
Bullying can take many forms. Examples include:
Verbal or Mouth : name-calling, teasing
Social or Friend: spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships
Physical: hitting, punching, shoving
Cyber-bullying: using the Internet, mobile phones or other digital technologies to harm others
An act of bullying may fit into more than one of these groups.
What Can You Do If You Are Being Bullied?
Nobody likes to be picked on. What can you do?
1. Kids who bully want you to be upset. So don't give them the power! Even if you feel scared or upset, try not to show it.
2. Instead of showing the bully that you are as upset as you feel, laugh or walk away.
3. Bullies look for a time to pick on you when you are alone. Try to stick with a partner throughout the day or be in an adults sight.
4. Hold your head up high when dealing with a bully. Look them in the eye and tell them "No, leave me alone!"
5. Always report any bully incident to an adult.
Most important: SPEAK UP when you see a bullying situation. The end of bullying begins with you!
Anti-bullying sign and envelope hung in every classroom for students to report incidents of bullying. There is also an anonymous box for students to report concerns to the counselors.