Bullying Prevention at River Bend Middle School

Click HERE to view the LCPS Bullying Prevention and Education Policy.

Bullying is the systematic and chronic infliction of physical hurt or psychological distress on another person. The Code of Virginia § 22.1-276.01 defines bullying as “any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and the victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, arguments or peer conflict.”

Cyberbullying refers to bullying by a student(s) towards another through electronic communication. Cyberbullying includes such things as sending mean, vulgar or threatening messages or images; posting sensitive private information about another person; pretending to be someone else in order to humiliate another person; and defamatory online social media websites.

Loudoun County Public Schools implement a county-wide bullying prevention program in all elementary schools to teach students how to identify bullying behavior and appropriate ways to solve possible bullying concerns. LCPS School Counselors provide a Bullying Prevention curriculum (through Second Step) which is delivered to all students in 6th through 8th grade This evidence-based program provides middle school students a review general bullying concepts, cyberbullying, harassment, and how to report and respond to bullying situations

All students have the right to attend school where their individual differences are respected and where they are free of fear of harassment and bullying.  Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) actively uphold and support efforts to prevent harassment and bullying