Please direct inquiries to:
Dr. Larry Frazier, Jr.
Superintendent
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 13, 2026
WPPS Recognizes October as Virginia Bullying Prevention Month
WEST POINT, VA — The West Point Public Schools is joining school divisions across Virginia in recognizing October as Bullying Prevention Month.
Organized each year by the Virginia School Boards Association, the month provides an opportunity for schools, families, and communities to reinforce the importance of kindness, respect, and inclusion while working together to create safe and supportive learning environments.
Bullying can take many forms, including physical aggression, verbal harassment, social exclusion, and damage to personal belongings. It can also occur through social media, messaging apps, and other digital platforms. These experiences can affect students in a variety of ways, including their attendance, wellbeing, and academic success.
“Creating a positive school environment is a shared responsibility,” said WPPS Superintendent Larry Frazier. “We want our students to know that they have people around them who will listen, support them, and take their concerns seriously. It takes students, staff, families, and our community working together to make sure every student feels a sense of belonging.”
According to a 2024 National Center for Education Statistics survey, 10% of elementary schools, 15% of high schools, and 28% of middle schools reported that bullying occurred at least once a week.
Throughout October and throughout the school year, WPPS encourages students and families to take an active role in preventing and addressing bullying. Students who experience or witness bullying should report it to a trusted adult as soon as possible. Concerns can also be submitted through the division’s See Something, Say Something form.
Adults and older students can help foster a positive school climate by modeling kindness and respect, speaking up when they witness bullying, and creating an environment where students feel comfortable seeking help. Families and educators can also support students by maintaining open conversations about their experiences, relationships, and interactions online.
VSBA’s Bullying Prevention Month encourages public schools to raise awareness and take meaningful steps toward preventing bullying. WPPS remains committed to creating and maintaining learning environments where every student can learn, grow, and succeed.
For more information on the division’s anti-bullying initiatives, including how to report bullying, visit www.wpschools.net/page/student-services.
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