Seneca Valley Proactive In Anti-Bullying Efforts

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA - National Bullying Prevention Month occurs every October, and it shines the spotlight on how school districts address instances and consequences of bullying. How does the Seneca Valley School District address the problem?

"We host a number of programs aimed at addressing bullying prevention," district spokesperson Linda Andreassi said. "In addition to kick-off programs that include school-wide assemblies,
students participate in weekly classroom meetings that incorporate a variety of community-building activities, career-readiness and soft-skill activities and, of course, bullying prevention strategies."

The bullying prevention programs are now a part of a personal development effort the district calls Learn, Explore, Act, Develop (LEAD). The iniative is designed to help students grow personally as well as academically.

The district website details the phone and online bullying reporting processes in place, as well as additional resources and parent tips.

The district's bullying policy defines the practice as an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, or a series of acts directed at another student or students occurring in or relating to a school setting. It's behavior that occurs in or relates to a school setting, that is severe, persistent or pervasive; and that substantially interferes with a student's education, creates a threatening environment or substantially disrupts the school's orderly operation.

Bullying includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Physical - the most commonly known form; includes hitting, kicking, spitting, pushing and taking personal belongings.
2. Verbal - includes taunting, malicious teasing, name-calling, and making threatening statements or gestures.
3. Psychological or relational - involves spreading malicious rumors, and engaging in social isolations or intimidation.
4. Cyberbullying - social media includes, but is not limited to the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, another student by sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory electronic messages, images, videos, or web postings.

School setting includes school buildings and grounds, including travel to and from
school, at a designated bus stop; on school vehicles and all activities and events sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by the school, whether or not on school grounds or during school hours.

Students who violate the policy are subject to disciplinary actions that can include counseling, a parent-guardian conference, detention, suspension, expulsion or other consequences.