Preston County Schools

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Although there is zero-tolerance, year-round at Kingwood Elementary School and all Preston County Schools, this month long event aims to prevent childhood bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. During Kingwood Elementary's Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 10th, the Student Support Services Team, consisting of Crystal Pell, counselor, and Andrea Stanley, social worker, greeted students and families, and were available to answer any questions related to bullying and how KES aims to prevent it, as well the reporting process (pictures below). All students received a free bracelet to remind them to Stand Up and Speak Out against bullying. Bullying was at the top of parents' concerns across the county as stated in last year's end of year surveys. All schools have laid out and initiated plans to combat the issue of bullying, but more importantly, schools are taking an active approach to ensure students' concerns are heard and addressed. This is accomplished in a variety of ways from self-reporting to QR codes to drop box forms. The aim is to make all students feel comfortable, heard and understood. Academics are important, but student well-being, safety, and their mental and physical health are top priorities for all schools in Preston County.