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On November 12 and 13, the Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying in Alexandria hosted two "Rise Above It" workshops for youth, teaching them how to deal with conflict and resolve disputes to rise above bullying and other life challenges. The hands-on discussions and group workshops were led by Major Chris Piercy of the U.S. Air Force. More than 70 Alexandria youth and teens attended the workshops.
"Rise Above It!" Workshops - November 12-13, 2019
Bullying Prevention Month 2019
In recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month 2019, the City hosted a series of activities through the Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying in Alexandria. The campaign works to raise awareness about how to identify, respond to, and prevent bullying. The month will kick off on Wednesday, October 2, at 7 p.m. when Mayor Justin Wilson issued a proclamation at the City Council meeting; additional activities included school and recreation center activities, Unity Day, and more.
During October--and every month, declare your support for a bully-free Alexandria! Pledge your support and receive information and resources on how you can help reduce bullying.
- National Bullying Prevention Month Proclamation 2019
- Cyberbullying Video
- Bullying Prevention Poster
- Take the Pledge! Pledge your support for a Bully-Free Alexandria. Email your completed forms to michael.johnson@alexandriava.gov
- Visit the Bully-Free Alexandria Twitter page--@BullyFreeAlexVA -- wear green and post your photo with #BullyFreeStartsWithMe
- Unity Day Flyer -- For all Alexandria youth and adults. Wear green and show your support for a Bully Free Alexandria! Hashtag your posts and photos with #BullyFreeStartsWithMe
- Anti-Bullying Coloring Sheets -- Bullying prevention messages for kids (and adults!) to color.
Bullying Prevention Month Event Partners:
- Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy
- Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
- 18th District Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Service Unit
- Alexandria City Public Schools
- Alexandria Office of Communications and Public Information
- Alexandria Sheriff's Department
- Alexandria Police Department
- Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria
- Alexandria Health Department Teen Wellness Center
- Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Background
In the Commonwealth of Virginia, bullying is defined 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 victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. "Bullying" includes cyber bullying. "Bullying" does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.
Nationally, 71% of students report incidents of bullying as a problem at their schools, and more than 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year. Data from the 2016 Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Youth Risk Behavior Survey show that 12% of high school students (grades 10 and 12) reported being bullied on school property and 9% reported being bullied electronically. Of eighth-grade middle school students, 24% reported being bullied on school property and 10% reported being bullied online. Membership in either bully or victim groups is associated with dropping out of school, poor social development, criminal activity and other negative long-term consequences.
A proclamation announced the start of the Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying in Alexandria in 2014. The purpose of the campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, is to wipe out bullying in our nation's schools and communities. Alexandria has joined more than 170 jurisdictions from around the country who have signed on to the campaign to raise awareness, foster a safe school climate, end bullying in schools and communities, and encourage everyone to take a stand against bullying.
Since the inception of the Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying in Alexandria, the City's public schools, City government agencies, community organizations, youth leaders and residents have worked together to increase the awareness of the negative effects of bullying and prevent bullying among Alexandria's youth.
Photo Gallery
Bully Free Girls Summer Clinic
Miracle Baseball League of Alexandria (Adults Therapeutic Recreation)
Recreation Department Staff
City Council Proclamation
Team Court Service Unit Joins Bully Prevention Day at the Courthouse
Bullying Prevention in Alexandria City Public Schools
Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is strongly committed to creating a safe, positive school environment in which the academic performance, social, emotional and physical well-being of all students is supported. The ACPS Office of Equity and Cultural Competence, in conjunction with the Office of Student Services, provides programs and staff that promote healthy, caring, and responsible behaviors among students. Learn more about bullying and resources for bullying prevention and cyber safety.
The Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying Planning Committee
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More Information
- Initial Project Timeline, Meetings, and Benchmarks
- The Bully Project: Take the pledge, join the movement!
- Facing History: Excerpts from the Film Bully
- John Adams Students Create Anti-Bullying Music Video
- Video: John Adams School – "No Bully Zone!"
- Alexandria City Public Schools: Anti-Bullying Facts
- Alexandria City Public Schools: Information on Bullying
- Presentation: Social Media and Kids: A Staff and Parent Training on Text Messaging, Social Media, and Cyber-Bullying
To address concerns about bullying or to report a bullying incident, please inform your school's principal.
Contact Alexandria Safe Place at 703.746.5400 for 24-hour access to immediate help and support for young people (ages 5-18) in crisis or call Michael Johnson at 703.746.5571.
To report a life-threatening emergency or situation, please call 911.
For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at 703.746.3959.