Bullying Prevention

When we work together, we can make Montana bully-free!

Bully Free Montana

Administrative Rules of Montana require all schools to have student protection policies and procedures addressing bullying behavior in schools, on school buses, at school-sponsored activities, and online. Montana Code Annotated defines law relative to bullying.

This page contains resources for students, parents and schools, including:

  • Model policies and procedures for schools,
  • Montana’s Student Protections and Procedures accreditation rule,
  • What you can do if you are being bullied,
  • How to respond to cyber-bullying,
  • Tips for parents, and
  • Links to state and national resources.
silhouette of a hand made by the word 'Stop' being repeated hundreds of times in various sizes, with the words 'Stop Bullying' in large print on the palm

Bullying Prevention Resources

Visit the OPI's Civil Rights & Legal Topics Page

Visit the OPI's Suicide Prevention Page

Resources for Schools

Anatomy of School Bullying

  • Edutopia article

NEW Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention Among Rural and Tribal Youth -- THIS LINK IS BROKEN on the Teacher Learning Hub.

Bully Free Montana: A Toolkit for Educators, Families, and Students

Administrative Rules: Student Protection Procedures

Model Bullying Policy

Four Steps for Schools

Checklist for Schools

CDC-BAM, Your Life Bullying

Improving School Climate to Help Prevent Bullying

Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) Framework

  • Creates behavioral supports and a social culture that establishes social, emotional and academic success for all students.

School Safety Resources

PAX Good Behavior Game:

  • Announcing this fabulous opportunity for pre-K through 5th grade classrooms across our state! The PAX GBG is an evidence-based practice that has been widely shown to prevent substance abuse as well as suicide and other maladaptive behaviors. For further information, please contact the Prevention Bureau at: AMDD Email or (406) 444-6981.

POWER UP, SPEAK OUT!

  • A five-lesson toolkit for educators that encourages middle school students to think critically about healthy relationships, power dynamics, boundaries, and consent.

Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation's Classrooms -- THIS LINK MAY NEED UPDATING and Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment on Our Nation's School Buses -- THIS LINK MAY NEED UPDATING.

  • Training toolkits from the National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments to assist teachers and bus drivers to cultivate meaningful relationships with students while creating a positive climate.

What We Know and What It Means for Schools

  • The relationship between bullying and suicide

PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center

Stopbullying.gov

  • U.S. Dept. of Education resources for schools, students and parents

SchoolSafety.gov

  • U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security- Create a safer school environment by addressing bullying and cyberbullying.
Forms

Incident Investigation Form

Incident Reporting Form

Resources for Students

Cyberbullying Facts - information on how often, where, and who gets bullied.

Fact Sheets for Students

The Bystander

Stopbullying.gov Teen Resources

  • U.S. Dept. of Education resources for schools, students and parents.

Info for Parents

If you're concerned your child is being bullied, here are some steps to understand your rights and addressing the situation.

  1. Understand that Montana law defines bullying and the responsibility of schools to address bullying activity.
  2. Review the Montana Code Annotated definition of bullying to determine if the behavior falls under the prohibited behaviors.
  3. Ask to see a copy of the school’s bullying policy and procedures. Administrative Rules of Montana, 10.55.719 identifies the ways in which the school’s policy must protect students from bullying.
  4. Report the incident to the school and follow any necessary procedures under the school’s bullying policy./li>

You can review all the state’s bullying laws and your rights to address it under MCA 20.5.201-20.5.210.

Other Resources

Tips for Parents

Incident Reporting Form

Administrative Rules: Student Protection Procedures

Stopbullying.gov Parent Resources

  • U.S. Dept. of Education resources for schools, students and parents

What is Cyberbullying? An Overview for Students, Parents, and Teachers

PACER National Bullying Prevention Center provides resources and in-depth information for parents about bullying behavior

Everfi offers free digital lessons for Montana educators.

Build a Safe Environment | StopBulling.gov - Resources for creating safe spaces in the classroom and holding classroom conversations about bullying.

Whole Child Supports - Classroom strategies to encourage and practice whole child skill development.

PACER's Tools - PACER National Bullying Prevention Center has tools for use in the classroom.

Bullying Prevention Month ideas and activities - Ideas and activities from 2024 Bullying Prevention Month, sources from the We Are Teachers website.

Supports for kids involved in bullying. Tips for addressing the children who are bullied, are bystanders, and the children who are bullying from StopBullying.gov.

OPI Staff are here to help

Sarah Music, Coordinated School Health Unit Director