Bullying Prevention: Parent Information (page 3)

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. 

• Schools are encouraged to provide information and resources for parents to talk with their children about bullying.

• When the school and parents initiate conversations with children about bullying in general terms, children know that they also can discuss this issue

• Parents and school staff are encouraged to take the issue of bullying seriously if a child has experienced bullying as a bully, target or bystander by following up with one another to have a conversation about what has been observed or reported.   

• It is often true that adults may not be aware of the bullying behaviors as bullying most often occurs where adults are not present.  Either the school staff or a parent may be the first to know about an incident based on a report from the child or a circumstance where they happen to see, hear or become aware of bullying.  Parents should not assume that the behavior has been reported or observed by adults in the school.

• 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.

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.

1. Report to the classroom teacher, school counselor and/or the building administrator (principal)

2. Report to the district superintendent

3. Report to the district school board

4. Report to the Nebraska Department of Education School Safety Program Specialist (402-471-1925)

5. Contact the Nebraska Department of Education Legal Department for professional practice complaints (402-471-0732)

If the bullying behavior involves criminal conduct (theft, assault, battery, etc), use the following reporting procedure in addition to notification to the school.

1. Report to local law enforcement

2. Contact the county attorney