CONFLICT:
Adapted from the "Am I Involved in a Conflict?" document used by Freetown-Lakeville Middle School.
My friends and I argue sometimes or annoy each other.
- This could be an argument where both parties are saying things to each other that are hurtful or blaming each other.
Sometimes I have a disagreement with my friend or classmate.
- This could be because you and your friend or classmate don’t agree on the same thing and have a dispute over the subject or problem.
When a classmate tries to argue with me I argue back.
- This is a disagreement. The both of you have an equal power and no one is trying to make someone feel bad. The problem could be solved by the both of you or with help from another person.
Someone said something that hurt my feelings.
- I am not sure if they purposely hurt my feelings by the statement, but I feel like I could ask them about why they did this or said this at a time when we are not mad at each other.
My friend talked behind my back to another friend or classmate.
- I feel like I could ask my friend later about it privately. It might be a disagreement the both of you can work out. If it never gets resolved and continues to happen, that could be bullying, read the second checklist.
If one or more of the examples above apply to you then you are having a conflict; none of the examples are considered to be bullying. Even though conflict is not as severe as bullying, it can be difficult to resolve conflict on your own. If you would like to talk to someone at school about your situation, stop by the guidance office and schedule a time to speak with your counselor. You can also pick up an incident report form in the main office, the nurse’s office, or the guidance office. Incident report forms should be submitted to the main office or the guidance office. We will try to the best of our ability to assist you with your issue.
BULLYING:
Adapted from the "Am I Involved in a Conflict?" document used by Freetown-Lakeville Middle School
I am constantly being picked on by a person or group of people.
- This involves being upset about hurtful things that people say or do, and is repeatedly an issue. It happens many times in a day, many times a week and/or every month.
Someone consistently singles me out and treats me different from the rest of the group or excludes me on purpose from the group. They talk about me unkindly and tell others not to be nice to me, too.
- This is another classmate making you feel less about yourself all the time and making you feel that you are unimportant.
Someone constantly makes me feel embarrassed.
- This is a classmate trying to embarrass you by saying something to you almost every day in class, calling out to you in the hallways between classes, or writing messages on your Facebook wall.
Someone or a group of people say things that hurt my feelings or send me hurtful text messages.
- They are being mean and hurtful on purpose, not by accident.
- They know it will hurt your feelings and said it on purpose. They do this often.
If you can answer yes to one of these then you are being bullied. Please follow the following steps: "I think I am being bullied or someone I know is being bullied. What should I do?". If the above statements are not examples or what is happening to you, you may be experiencing harassment, a quarrel with a friend or past friend, or an argument. You should pick up an incident report form in the main office, the nurse’s office, or the guidance office. Incident report forms should be submitted to the main office or the guidance office. We will try to the best of our ability to assist you with your issue.