Bullying Prevention Awareness Week

Governor Mike Rounds has declared October 4 - 10 Bullying Prevention Awareness Week in South Dakota.
Harassment and bullying of students in not tolerated by the Brandon Valley School District. We are committed to providing all students with a safe and civil school environment in which all members are treated with dignity and respect.
Harassment and bullying may include, but are not limited to, the following behaviors and circumstances:
* verbal, non-verbal, physical or written harassment, bullying, hazing, or other victimization that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;
* repeated remarks of a demeaning nature that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;
* implied or explicit threats concerning one's grades, achievements, property, etc. that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;
* demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim; and/or
* unreasonable interference with a student's performance or creation of an intimidating, offensive, or hostile learning environment.

Bullying takes a lot of different forms. Even girls and boys deal with bullying differently. Girls tend to be more verbal while boys are more likely to show aggression like pushing or hitting. Physical aggression is fairly apparent and much easier to identify. When bullying takes the route of making comments behind someone's back, it's more difficult.