Bullying Prevention & Intervention

  • The Office of Teaching & Learning supports the district Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy and Plan by establishing and implementing research-based anti-bullying curricula at each level, and by providing anti-bullying training to staff each year.

    The curricula and lessons used at each level includes:

    • Grades K-5: Responsive Classroom, Bully-Proofing Your Classroom, Library Internet Safety Lessons
    • Middle School: Responsive Classroom and Second Step
    • Grades 6-12: CyberBullying Prevention Lessons
    • High School: Bully-Proofing Your School 
    Staff training includes the online session called "Working Together to Prevent Bullying", as well as the professional development that supports the classroom curricula at each level.

Welcome

  • Whether you are a student, a parent, or a staff person working at a Newton school, we are glad you are visiting the Newton Public Schools (NPS) Bullying Prevention and Intervention website. These pages contain the NPS policies and procedures in regard to preventing and responding to bullying behaviors. Additionally, as you explore these pages, you will find a wealth of information about bullying prevention, curriculum, and other resources. 

    The content of these pages is guided by the belief that all students of the school community deserve the opportunity to learn in an environment where they feel safe. Students, parents, and staff all have a role to play in building positive environments for youth, and in promoting acceptance and respect among all individuals.


    Bullying is a form of youth violence. It is aggressive behavior, directed intentionally towards an individual or individuals and it involves an imbalance of power or strength. Bullying has a negative impact on other students at school who are bystanders or witnesses to bullying by creating a climate of fear and disrespect. Bullying of any kind, including cyberbullying – the electronic version of bullying – will not be tolerated in the Newton Public Schools.


    The most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), distributed to Newton’s secondary school students in the 2016-17 school year, tells us about key trends in the data on bullying in schools and the community.

You Are Braver Than You Believe

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Report Bullying Now

  • Report Bullying Now

    Before filing an incident report, we strongly encourage you to also explore other pages on this website to learn more about bullying prevention and intervention.

  • In School

    • 27% of 7-8th grade students and 38% of high school students reported that they saw someone else bullied in school in the 30 days prior to the survey.
    • 15% of 7-8th grade students and 16% of high school students reported that they had been bullied at school.

    Online

    • 10% of Newton middle school students and 11% of high school students reported that they had been bullied electronically.


    Trends/Comments

    • Respondents who had been bullied in school in the 30 days prior to the survey were asked how they responded the last time it happened (multiple responses were possible). Respondents in all grades generally reported that they were "most likely" to try to get the person/people doing it to stop, followed by talking to a friend about it, telling a parent/guardian, and then telling a school adult. Seventh and eighth grade students were nearly twice as likely to report using these strategies than high school students.