[Illusion]

What I found that works is to beat them to the joke, just agree with them jokingly. And if they spread rumors just accept/decline them in a jokingly way. Just stay positive, that's how I'm surviving High School pretty much.
Things are hard to ignore, but if you just accept things as it is and just go with it with a positive attitude guided by positive choices, you'll find that your becoming stronger inside and people will see you as a happy go lucky fella.

Also here's something not to do.. DON'T IGNORE THEM! Yes weird hearing that right? Now the reason why you ask? Because you can't take a punch, bottling up will only have you snap one day. Ignoring only does so much, you don't tell them not to do something. A better solution is to fight with kindness. It's hard being mean to someone who is always nice right? Just think about it.