WHEREAS, school bullying has become an increasingly significant problem in the United States and Virginia; and
WHEREAS, over twenty percent of the youth in the United States are estimated to be involved in bullying each year, either as a bully or as a victim; and
WHEREAS, an estimated one hundred sixty thousand students in kindergarten through twelfth grade miss school every day due to a fear of being bullied; and
WHEREAS, bullying can take many forms, including verbal, physical, and most recently in cyberspace, and can happen in many places on and off school grounds; and
WHEREAS, it is important for Virginia parents, students, teachers, and school administrators to be aware of bullying, and to encourage discussion of the problem as a school community; and
WHEREAS, the Regional School Board has developed policy on anti-bullying to encourage positive behaviors and to eliminate bullying behaviors including Policy 2065, 5030, and 8002; and
NOW, THEREFORE , the Regional School Board recognizes the month of October 2016 as Bullying Prevention Month, with the intention that the issue of bullying and its prevention be discussed in the classroom during that time.
Approved this 20th day of October 2016
