Bullying Prevention Month: Do You Have A Story In Bedford?

BEDFORD, NY — National Bullying Prevention Month kicks off this October across the nation. According to the National Bullying Prevention Center, every day, thousands of young people experience bullying from their peers while at school, after school in their neighborhoods, and even when they are at home, through social media and texts.

“There are many ways to support bullying prevention as an individual or with friends and family, and within your school or community,” the center states on its website. (Learn some here.)

Here’s what the Bedford Central School District says about bullying:

The Board of Education of the Bedford Central School District is committed to providing an educational environment that promotes respect, dignity, and equality. The Board of Education recognizes that acts of discrimination and harassment, including bullying, taunting, or intimidation, are detrimental to student learning and achievement. These behaviors interfere with the mission of the Bedford Central School District to educate its students and disrupt the operation of its schools. Such behavior affects not only the students who are its targets, but also those individuals who participate in, and witness such acts.

To this end, the Board of Education condemns and strictly prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment, including bullying, taunting or intimidation, of a student on school property, which includes (among other things) school buses, and at school-sponsored functions, events or activities whether held on or off school property (e.g. athletic events, extra-curricular activities, class dances).

Learn more about the Bedford Central School District’s Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying policies.

PATCH SERIES: DEALING WITH BULLIES

As part of a national reporting project, Patch has been looking at society's roles and responsibilities in bullying.

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This article contains reporting from the Patch national desk.