Bullying Prevention

1. Bullying is a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that satisfies the applicability requirements below and that:

a. Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property;

b. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student;

c. Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school; or

d. Infringes on the rights of the victim at school; and

2. Includes cyberbullying. “Cyberbullying” means bullying that is done through the use of any electronic communication device, including through the use of a cellular or other type of telephone, a computer, a camera, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, a social media application, an Internet website, or any other Internet-based communication tool.

David's law: http://www.davidslegacy.org/davids-law/

For parents: http://www.stopbullying.gov/index.html

For elementary students: http://KidsAgainstBullying.org

For middle and high school students: http://TeensAgainstBullying.org

For parents and students, including resources on building resiliency, respect, and relationships: https://www.stopbullyingnow.com/

Bullying situations usually involve more than the child(ren) who bully and the child(ren) who are bullied. They also involve bystanders—those who watch the bullying behavior happen or hear about it. Bystanders have a powerful role. Depending on how they respond, they can either be part of the problem (hurtful bystander) or part of the solution (helpful "upstander").

Adults can teach children to become helpful bystanders by talking to them about the different ways bystanders can respond and make a difference. Stopbullying.gov developed an interactive website to help parents teach their children how to help others and get involved if they see bullying. Click on http://www.stopbullying.gov/respond/be-more-than-a-bystander/index.html to watch videos, read information, and download fact sheets.

92% of teens report going online daily, and 24% of them report they go online "almost constantly" (Pew Research Center, 2015). Children and teens are exposed to the internet and social media almost daily, whether through their own device or through friends. Have frequent conversations with your children about internet safety- including respecting themselves and others. Talk to your children about cyberbullying and its effects.

Below are some helpful conversation pieces to use while talking to your children:

• Set clear rules with your children regarding electronics and internet usage.
• Talk to your child about never sharing personal information with people online.
  
• Talk to your children about privacy. Explain that once things are posted online, they are forever accessible. Things online can be seen and distributed to anyone, without your permission or knowledge.
• Talk to your children about respecting others online.
• Talk to your children about respecting themselves online- do not use vulgar or sexually explicit language, and do not share sexually explicit photos online. Talk to your children about reporting anything threatening, mean, sexual, or concerning to you immediately.

For more information on cyberbullying, visit http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/index.html.

Website: http://www.emsisd.com/Domain/69
Phone: 817-232-0880