Salem Schools Take Stand Against Bullying In October

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools is putting a focus on social-emotional learning, respect, the value of kindness and cultivating a community where all members feel a sense of safety and belonging throughout October as part of National Bullying Prevention Month.

"Obviously, National Bullying Prevention Month should be every month," Salem Superintendent Steve Zrike said in his Facebook Live session on Wednesday. "It's sadly something that happens across our schools. We have to work really hard to ensure our schools are inclusive, safe spaces for young people."

Zrike said throughout October students and staff will be wearing orange and blue to stand in solidarity with bullying prevention and that part of the work will be to educate students and families on what bullying is and what to do if they see or hear bullying.

He noted that a one-time statement or exchange that is hurtful may be considered disrespectful, but it elevates to bullying when "someone does something verbally, physically or electronically that intentionally hurts someone and continues the behavior even when told to stop, or is shown that the person being targeted is upset or has a perceived power imbalance."

"So if it's persistent, consistent, and it's targeted, that is bullying," Zrike said.

Zrike said the goal this month, and every month, is to build a culture in Salem Public Schools where there is no place for this behavior.

"We are constantly teaching the importance of kindness, civility and building mutual respect," Zrike said. "Unfortunately, there are too many signs of that not happening. Too many times that is not happening in our society.

"As adults, we have a responsibility to be as explicit as possible and use every moment as a teachable moment to help our young people understand the impact that these kinds of behaviors can have."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)