Parent Information
Parents can become involved in reducing violent behaviors and creating safer environments for their children at home and at school. Parents are encouraged to review school handbooks, websites, or other district sources of information relating to bullying and discuss the policy and expectations with their children.
Parent – School Collaboration
A partnership between parents and the school to prevent bullying behaviors is based on a shared understanding of bullying, policies of the school and basic intervention strategies.
- When the school and parents initiate conversations with children about bullying in general terms, children know that they also can discuss this issue. Continue to have conversations with your student and encourage them to talk about any bullying they may be experiencing.
- Concerns about bullying issues at school can generally be addressed when parents talk with the classroom teacher, school counselor or building administrator.
- Parents and school staff should be familiar with the school anti-bullying policy and any related policies or programs and address bullying behaviors using the appropriate process. When making a report, it is helpful to provide a clear and detailed description of what has been observed or experienced. All reports should be taken seriously and acted on using established policy and procedures.
- Bullying behavior occurs across multiple platforms. Parents should be aware of the different activities their students are involved in. This includes a student’s presence on online platforms, which include social media, gaming, and other forms of communication
- Often, kids who are victims of cyberbullying don’t tell adults and suffer alone. Students may worry they will have their phone or communication device taken away. Cyberbullying has negative effects for everyone involved. It is important for parents to be aware of their student’s social media use and use instances of negative online behavior as educational moments.
Reporting Procedures
Refer to the school district’s anti-bullying policy and reporting procedures for guidance on the local process to make a report. If that is not available, typically the following procedure is appropriate. Generally, reporting bullying behaviors to the school begins with the classroom teacher or building administrator and proceeds to the next contacts only if the issue is not resolved.
- Report to the classroom teacher, school counselor and/or the building administrator (principal)
- Report to the district superintendent
- Report to the district school board
- Contact the Nebraska Department of Education School Safety for complaints (402-471-0986)
If the bullying behavior involves criminal conduct (theft, assault, battery, etc.), use the following reporting procedure in addition to notification to the school.
- Report to local law enforcement
- Contact the county attorney
How to report cyberbullying or inappropriate content to specific websites/apps: https://cyberbullying.org/report
Additional information and resources for parents: