Bully Prevention

In the Jordan school district we take the issue of bullying very seriously. Starting in elementary school, all students learn the importance of being safe, responsible, and respectful. These three basic tenets are part of our School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS) program.

We give a great deal of positive reinforcement for acts of kindness toward others. Children who go out of their way to do something kind for another student or staff member are often rewarded with a “caught you being good” award. The importance of safety, responsibility, and respectfulness is routinely reinforced by staff during classroom meetings and all-school assemblies.

While every effort is made to catch children engaging in acts of kindness, we are also vigilant about addressing bullying when it occurs. At the elementary school level, we understand that students are still learning how to work together cooperatively. When behaviors that may be considered bullying arise, we see them as teaching opportunities. We work closely with students who have been the victim of bullying to reinforce that no one deserves to be intentionally harmed—physically or emotionally. We encourage them to assert themselves by saying “stop” and walking away. We also help students who have demonstrated bullying behavior by addressing the root causes of their actions. Consequences are tailored to each situation to ensure they are both meaningful and logical.

Beyond responding to individual cases, our broader goal through SW-PBIS is to foster a school-wide culture where bullying is not tolerated. We strive to build a strong sense of community, where students feel empowered to speak up if they witness bullying—either by telling the bully to stop, helping the targeted student leave the situation, or getting an adult immediately.

This year, we’re implementing an additional way for students to report bullying: a “bully box” located in the media center. Students who witness or experience bullying can write down what happened and place the note in the box. It will be checked weekly, and all reports will be addressed. This method supports students who may not feel comfortable speaking up aloud.

As parents, you are one of our greatest resources. If your child tells you about bullying incidents that happen at school or on the bus, please email your child’s teacher or give us a call. You may also use the online JHS Bully/Incident Report Form. We want both you and your child to feel like we’re on the same team, working toward the shared goal of learning in a safe environment.