Bullying and harassment rise in Peninsula schools, report finds

This list of stories illustrates that bullying and harassment are growing issues in Peninsula schools, including cyberbullying through social media. Race-based and identity-focused harassment has increased, leading to the creation of groups like Moms for P.E.A.C.E. to push for change and support for students who are BIPOC, LGBTQIA or neurodivergent.

School district leaders and advocacy groups have called for clearer policies, improved reporting tools and more staff training. Incidents at sports events and in the classroom, as well as the resignation of a teacher after being cyberbullied, show how bullying and discrimination affect school life.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

From left to right: Gig Harbor for Racial Justice member Peter Fraser and Moms for P.E.A.C.E. board members Darcy McKnight and Cristy Wahala stand on the sidewalk with flags and signs outside Swift Water Elementary before the Peninsula School District Board meeting on June 18, 2024. By Julia Park

NO. 1: CONCERNS ARE BUILDING ABOUT BULLYING IN PENINSULA SCHOOLS. PARENTS STARTED A NONPROFIT

“I feel like the more we show up, the more we’re saying, ‘Hey, we’re not going to be quiet about this,” one parent said. | Published July 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

Gig Harbor High School is one of three high schools in the Peninsula School District, along with Peninsula High School and choice school Henderson Bay High School. By Julia Park

NO. 2: PIERCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RESPONDS TO CYBERBULLYING REPORTS. ‘WE NEED MORE SUPPORT.’

The school district says it is renewing efforts to curb cyberbullying, but that its hands are tied without the ability to remove concerning accounts and posts. | Published October 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

NO. 3: PIERCE COUNTY TEACHER AND DRAG KING RESIGNS FROM SCHOOL DISTRICT AMID CYBERBULLYING

The teacher said LGBTQ+ students face ongoing bullying in the district. | Published October 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

NO. 4: GIG HARBOR STUDENT REMOVED AFTER RACIAL INCIDENT DURING BASKETBALL GAME AT LINCOLN HIGH

The student involved was immediately confronted by Gig Harbor High School administrators and removed from the game. | Published December 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

The proportion of reported harassment, intimidation and bullying incidents related to race, ethnicity or nationality increased from 2018-2019 to 2023-2024, according to a presentation to the Peninsula School District School Board on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

NO. 5: VERBAL, RACE-BASED HARASSMENT IS UP IN THIS PIERCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

“One of the pieces that we heard repeatedly from family and community members was that they don’t know how to report when something has happened,” a district official told the board. | Published April 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.