What Safe and Supportive Schools Look Like During National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, which is an opportunity for schools, students, and families alike to raise awareness on an issue impacting nearly 1 in 5 young people. Here at Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA), we're committed to creating a safe and supportive learning environment year-round.
We're particularly sensitive to bullying because we recognize that many of our students choose ORCA because they didn't feel emotionally or physically safe at their previous schools. In this post, we'll explore ORCA's proactive safety culture, robust monitoring systems, and year-round prevention strategies that make our school a genuinely safe place to learn and grow.
Understanding Bullying in Online Learning Environments
Cyberbullying is different from traditional bullying because it happens electronically, often over text, on social media, or even within video games. According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of U.S. teens ages 13-17 report experiencing at least one type of cyberbullying. Among students who reported being bullied, 21.6% experienced bullying online or by text.
That's why ORCA has implemented multiple layers of protection to quickly identify and address cyberbullying.
How ORCA Prevents and Responds to Cyberbullying
ORCA combines technology-based monitoring with human support to ensure students' safety.
Monitoring Online School Spaces
At the beginning of each year, ORCA students receive their own Chromebook that they use for all school-related activities. Included on those Chromebooks is a piece of software called Securly that automatically flags concerning searches, language, and content, such as bullying statements, self-harm indicators, and depression-related searches. The software then alerts administrators, allowing them to take immediate action. Parents can also sign up to receive Securly alerts directly to their mobile device. Our teachers also actively monitor chat pods and comments during live classes and intervene when inappropriate, harmful, or unkind comments appear.
Reporting and Support Systems
Because students can experience cyberbullying outside of ORCA, we partner with SafeOregon to provide a simple, confidential, and anonymous way to report any threats or potential acts of violence. Reports can be submitted by phone, text, email, web form, or mobile app and are promptly reviewed by a 24/7 tip line technician. The information is then forwarded to designated school personnel and, when necessary, law enforcement to ensure the issue is handled quickly and appropriately.
Our K-12 counseling staff provides support for students processing past bullying trauma and helps build confidence in those who've experienced harassment. Students can also reach out to any trusted adult, whether they’re teachers, counselors, or administrators, when they need help.
Teaching Students Digital Citizenship
As a virtual school, ORCA educators emphasize digital citizenship, the practice of using the internet safely, responsibly, and respectfully. Students learn how to protect their privacy online, such as by keeping passwords secure, and how to communicate thoughtfully in digital spaces.
ORCA also teaches the importance of being an upstander rather than a bystander, empowering students to speak up and support others when they see harmful behavior. These lessons not only help prevent cyberbullying but also prepare students to navigate online environments confidently in both academic and professional settings.
Proactive Staff Training
ORCA staff members are prepared and responsive because we invest in ongoing bullying prevention training, including how to spot the signs of bullying, effective intervention strategies, and protocols for responding to reports. This training enables our staff to recognize harmful behaviors early and de-escalate situations before they do lasting damage.
These systems work every day to promote a safe, inclusive learning experience. During National Bullying Prevention Month each October, we build on this foundation with age-appropriate activities that teach students to recognize bullying and stand up for their peers.
National Bullying Prevention Month Activities at ORCA
While we're always working to prevent and respond to bullying, we place a special emphasis on the topic in October during National Bullying Prevention Month. Our activities include schoolwide initiatives and grade-appropriate activities designed to engage the entire student body.
Schoolwide Awareness Initiatives
During October, we're encouraging our community to join the #BlueUp campaign, where students and staff will wear blue during live classes and field trips to raise awareness about the topic of bullying. Students can also use special Zoom backgrounds during live classes that promote kindness and bullying prevention. These activities are optional, allowing students to participate in a way that feels comfortable to them.
Elementary Activities
Our K-5 students will learn about bullying and how to prevent it throughout the month. This process begins by defining bullying and distinguishing the behavior from the isolated “mean” moments everyone experiences from time to time. Students will also learn how to be upstanders who intervene when they witness bullying behaviors.
Elementary students share their blue-themed artwork in an interactive Google Slides gallery. Teachers also spend read-aloud time focusing on kindness and friendship.
Middle School
Studies suggest that bullying peaks among students in grades 6-8, so our efforts are particularly important with our middle school students. In October, they'll participate in a bullying prevention-themed assembly led by members of the high school student government. They'll also have an opportunity to take a pledge against bullying as we continue to make ORCA a safe and supportive experience for all our students.
Because students in middle school are beginning to have more independent internet access, we're also placing a special emphasis on cyberbullying prevention and digital citizenship. Students learn practical strategies for protecting their personal information online and recognizing cyberbullying tactics.
High School
Our 9-12 grade students can engage in creative activities, such as designing anti-bullying stickers and posters, tracking daily acts of kindness on calendars, and taking an optional digital citizenship pledge. Our counselors will play an active role in these efforts by giving bullying awareness presentations in our advisory classes. The October issue of The Current, ORCA's school newspaper, features student-written articles on the prevention of bullying.
The Partnership Between Schools and Families
ORCA staff members and teachers place great emphasis on preventing bullying and react swiftly when reports of bullying are received. However, many instances of cyberbullying happen outside school hours and on platforms beyond our reach. That's why parents and guardians play an essential role in keeping their kids safe. Here are a few simple steps you can take to create a culture of online safety at home:
Monitor your child's device usage and implement parental controls.
Keep phones charged in common areas, not bedrooms.
Sign up for Securly alerts to stay informed on your child's online activities.
Talk openly with your child about their online interactions.
Watch for warning signs, such as changes in behavior, reluctance to go online, or withdrawal from activities.
We always encourage families to reach out to their child's teachers or counselors if they believe there's a problem. Together, we can form a powerful partnership to keep students safe.
A Year-Round Effort to Protect Students
Our bullying prevention efforts won't end in October. Throughout the year, various elements of our curriculum will teach students to be kind and accepting of their classmates, ensuring that everyone feels safe and supported within our community. We see these efforts pay off as students who previously feared school now thrive here.
While we can't eliminate cyberbullying, our prevention and response systems, plus our partnership with student caregivers, significantly reduce the harm these behaviors would otherwise cause.
Join Us for a Virtual Information Session
If you'd like to learn more about how ORCA builds a safe, inclusive, and personalized learning experience for students, join us for a virtual information session. You'll connect with our staff, preview our learning platform, and discover whether ORCA is the right fit for your family.