bullying

None of us likes to think that bullying would occur in our community. But the May 24 incident offers some lessons in how parents and schools can address the problem.

Bullies often use texts to harass their classmates, but now the bullied can defend themselves using the same technology. Many school districts have anonymous texting systems that let students alert administrators to both the situations and the bullies themselves.

Montana is the only state in the nation without laws against bullying and cyberbullying, according the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But even with the nationwide push against bullying in recent years, it's not clear whether such laws actually work.

A playground program at many Portland-area elementary schools significantly curbs bullying, improves school climate and increases vigorous student activity, a new study shows.

A recent randomized controlled study by Mathematica Policy Research and the John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities at Stanford University reported that, in schools that employ recess management firm Playworks, there was less bullying, a greater feeling of safety among students, more vigorous physical activity, and less time lost transitioning from recess to classroom learning.

A New Hampshire school district has banned dodgeball and other "human target" activities over concerns about violence and bullying. The school board in Windham voted 4-1 last week to remove the game and nine others from the district's curriculum.

The Salt Lake City School District is teaming up with the SafeToTalk Foundation to set up an anonymous tip line at schools.