FAQ

Bullying Prevention

What is Bullying?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools aligns the definition of bullying with that of the federal government www.stopbullying.gov.

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:

An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power — such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity — to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

Click Here to learn more about Bullying.

What is conflict?

Conflicts arise whenever the behaviors or values of some people are not approvable to and rejected by other people. Conflicts between people are a normal, natural and an inevitable part of life. In Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, we encourage healthy conflict to help students grow and become independent.

However, conflict escalation can result when students do not have appropriate conflict resolution skills. A great deal of research shows the damaging effects that win-lose conflict resolution has on interpersonal relationships. It creates distance, separation, dislike, even hatred. Conflict escalation of a disagreement can result in students actively trying to damage one another.

How do I report bullying?

Bullying should be reported immediately. Reporting can be done directly to the school (or to CMS Bullying Prevention Department) using personal contact, phone call, email, or anonymous reporting form.

CMS Bullying Prevention Department preventbullying@cms.k12.nc.us or 980.343.2748

Where do I get help?

In an emergency please call 911. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or at 1.800.273.TALK (8255).

If I have a bullying question, who should I contact at my child’s school?

Each school has a designated Bullying Prevention Administrator that works closely with the CMS Bullying Prevention Department. For the name of your school’s Bullying Prevention Administrator, please contact your school’s front office or contact the CMS Bullying Prevention Department at preventbullying@cms.k12.nc.us or call 980-343-2748.

If I have a bullying question, who can I contact at the district level?

For all questions related to bullying prevention, please contact CMS Bullying Prevention Department at preventbullying@cms.k12.nc.us or call 980-343-2748

Where can I get more information about bullying?

For more information please explore:

You can also follow us on social media at:

(Facebook) Making It Better – CMS
(Twitter) @CMSBetter
(Instagram) Cmsbetter

How do teachers respond to suspected bullying?

CMS teachers are instructed to:

Stop the bullying.
Name the bullying behavior.
Support the targeted student and remove them from the scene; making sure they are okay and safe.
Engage the bystanders. In CMS, bystanders are held accountable for their actions as well.
Address the student that was bullying.
Follow-up. Report incident to school’s Bullying Prevention Administrator.

CMS teachers are offered a bullying prevention classroom training online module. In addition, schools are provided the opportunity for face-to-face bullying prevention professional development.

What is Stand Up and Speak Out?

Stand Up Speak Out is a collaborative partnership with Beasley Media Group to bring awareness around bystanders and their importance to prevent bullying. To be part of the change, and make a difference in your school, “Take the Pledge” and join STAND UP SPEAK OUT today.

What is cyberbullying and what do I do if I am a target of it?

Cyberbullying happens when kids bully each other through electronic technology.

If you find yourself a target of cyberbullying please:

Don’t respond to and don’t forward cyberbullying messages.
Keep evidence of cyberbullying. Record the dates, times, and descriptions of instances when cyberbullying has occurred. Save and print screenshots, emails, and text messages. Use this evidence to report cyberbullying to web and cell phone service providers.
Block the person who is cyberbullying.

Report cyberbullying to:

Your school
Law enforcement

Cyberbullying may include:

Threats of violence
Child pornography or sending sexually explicit messages or photos
Taking a photo or video of someone in a place where he or she would expect privacy
Stalking and hate crimes

Click Here for more information on Cyberbullying.

P.O. Box 30035
Charlotte, NC 28230-0035
Phone: 980-343-3000

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools website (www.cms.k12.nc.us) is in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any website accessibility concerns may be brought via the following, Email the Web Accessibility Team at WebAccessibility or Call: 980.343.0115. In compliance with Federal Law, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities, may be referred to the District's Title IX Coordinator at titleixcoordinator or to the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education.