25-26 BULLYING PROCLAMATION BOE STATEMENT

         OCTOBER 2025 – BULLYING STOPS HERE AWARENESS MONTH
                    DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
                       PROCLAMATION STATEMENT

For as long as any of us can remember, bullying in schools has been a concern.
Research has now revealed to us that bullying can hinder students’ ability to learn
and can negatively impact their lives well into adulthood.

Since 1999, the DeKalb County School District has had a policy addressing bullying
in schools. Moreover, with the change in state law in 2010, DeKalb Schools not only
revised its policy, but also began what is now known as the “Bullying Stops Here!”
Awareness Campaign. This Campaign aligns with research that recommends a
comprehensive approach to bullying awareness, not just anti-bullying rules. In
DeKalb Schools, this comprehensive, evidence-based approach seeks to bring
awareness to all stakeholders through training, consistent messaging, prescribing
procedures for addressing allegations, and follow-up and aftercare. This not only
includes general bullying, but companion misbehaviors such as harassment, and
hazing.

Additionally, the DeKalb County School District recognizes that bullying is not just
a school issue. Bullying happens throughout society and all of us must be aware of
this issue and teach our children by modeling appropriate behavior.

For over 15 years, the DeKalb County School District has demonstrated its serious
position on student bullying, harassment, and hazing through training, messaging,
activities, and swift and effective procedures to address allegations. Today, we take
a moment to highlight these efforts by proclaiming this month, October 2025, as
“Bullying Stops Here!” Awareness Month in the DeKalb County School District. We
call on all stakeholders to be “Upstanders, not Bystanders” because bystanders just
stand by, while upstanders stand up. Let us all model appropriate behavior and talk
with our children. Remind them to be a “Buddy, not a Bully” and to “Be Nice”. Thank
you so much for your support of this important effort.