• Emergency Services: 911 – For immediate physical danger or medical emergencies.
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 – Available 24/7 for suicidal, mental health, or emotional distress, including bullying-related crises.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" or "CONNECT" to 741741 – A free, confidential text-based service for anyone in crisis.
  • 2-1-1 Essential Community Services: Dial 2-1-1 – Connects callers to local resources like food, housing, and mental health services across the U.S. and Canada


ATTENTION STUDENTS:

If you

Hear something, See something, Say something!

Be the hero.


The Recommended Chain of Command if You, your child or someone you know is being bullied.

Parents should always start at the school level but move quickly if they don’t get a resolution. Recommend they follow this order:

  1. Classroom Teacher & School Counselor: The first point of contact for the "who, what, when, where".
  2. School Principal: If the teacher can’t resolve it or the bullying is severe. Request a face-to-face meeting to discuss the school's anti-bullying policy.
  3. District Superintendent: If the principal doesn't respond or the bullying continues after 1–2 weeks.
  4. Local School Board: Contact them in writing and consider attending a board meeting to bring the issue to light.
  5. State Department of Education: Most states have a bullying or "Dignity Act" coordinator who can investigate if a district fails to follow its own policies.
  6. U.S. Office for Civil Rights (OCR): If the bullying is based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or religion, parents can file a formal federal complaint. 


2. How to "Paper Trail" (The Most Important Advice)

Schools are more likely to act when there is a written record. Advise parents to: 

  • Write, Don’t Just Talk: Every phone call or meeting should be followed up with an email: "Thank you for meeting today. My understanding is that you will [action step] by [date].".
  • Document Everything: Keep a log of dates, times, witnesses, and copies of any digital bullying (screenshots of texts or social media).
  • Ask for an Incident Number: In many large districts (like NYC), every report must be entered into a system. Parents should ask for the OORS or incident number to ensure it was officially filed.