Dress Code Issues/Reminders:• Shorts/Skirts – Mid-thigh in length (not

fingertips)

• Spaghetti straps, tank tops not allowed

• Shirts/blouses should cover undergarments; we don’t want to see straps

• No athletic shorts – period!

• T-shirts/clothing should not have inappropriate words or references to sex, alcohol or drugs

Some Safety Issues:• Only 4 doors unlocked/monitored before

school

• Do Not let strangers in locked doors! They must enter through a monitored door. Think safety!

• Know the evacuation plan – students report to their advisory teachers on the field.

• Know what to do in other situations: Lockdown, Severe Weather Evacuation, etc.

A Respectful

School

Highland Park Middle School

2013-2014

Objectives• Review school expectations

about put-downs and bully prevention

• Understand how to build a respectful school climate

Respect (from the dictionary)• Respect is…

• …showing high regard for an authority, other people, self and country

• …treating others as you would want to be treated

• …understanding that all people have value as human beings

No Put Down Policy • From the Student Handbook

(Agenda Book):

• Verbal or non-verbal negative expressions for the purpose of making someone feel inferior

• Put Downs are not tolerated

• Classroom Behavior – Teachers Domain

• Hallways/Cafeteria – can be a problem

Bullying – Definition:• When a student or group of

students engages in:

• Written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means or physical conduct that occurs:• On school property,• At a school sponsored or related

event,• Or in a vehicle operated by the

school, And …

Bullying – Definition:• The HPISD School Board or

Administrators determines that the behavior:• Has the effect of physically harming a

student, damaging a student’s property, or placing the student in reasonable fear of harm to person or property, or

• Is sufficiently severe, persistent and pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment.

Bullying - Definition• This conduct is considered

bullying if it:• Exploits an imbalance of power

between the student engaging in bullying and the victim through written or verbal expression or physical conduct, and

• Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.

What is Bullying? Key Concepts:

• Written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means or physical conduct,

• Has the effect of causing physical harm, damaging property, or causing fear of harm,

• Is severe, persistent and pervasive enough that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment

• Exploits an imbalance of power, and

• Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.

Bullying Examples• Verbal aggression

• Name calling• Teasing• Threatening

• Social aggression• Spreading rumors• Exclusion from a group• Facebook Posts• Instagram

• Physical aggression• Hitting• Kicking• Destroying property

• Intimidation• Graffiti• Dirty tricks• Note writing• Texting

Cyber-Bullying• Use of an electronic

communication device(s) to engage in bullying or to threaten students, teachers, volunteers, etc.

• Includes posts, texts, messages, Instagram, etc., that are harassing, threatening, obscene or damaging someone’s reputation.

Cyber-Bullying• Actions occur on or off school

property

• Key phrase: “Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.”

• Thus it creates an intimidating or threatening environment.

Cyber-Safety• Remember: When you post

something or hit “Send,” it is Public and Permanent!

• Pictures, FB posts, etc. Think before you “Send!”

Reporting Bullying• Bullying is not tolerated by the district and any student

or parent who believes that a student has experienced bullying or that a student has engaged in bullying is encouraged to immediately report the incident. 

• Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of district policy and is prohibited.

• Students or parents may report an alleged incident of bullying, orally or in writing, to a teacher, counselor, principal or other district employee. 

• More information about the district’s bullying policy can be found in the campus administration office or school board policies FFI(LEGAL) and FFI(LOCAL) at www.hpisd.org.

Sexual Harassment• Comments or actions of a sexual

nature which are unwelcome and make the recipient uncomfortable

• Coerced, unethical, and unwanted intimacy

• Comments or actions are repetitive; creating an intimidating/threatening environment

Sexual Harassment Examples• Rude sounds

• Whistling suggestively

• Jokes about sex

• Gestures

• Graffiti

• Unwelcome physical contact

Have you ever been a… ?(Please don’t raise your

hand!)

• Victim or Target

• Bully

• Bystander

What is a bystander?• Not actively involved as a bully

or target

• Remain silent or inactive when bullying occurs

• Aware of bullying, but unable or unwilling to take action

Why do people “stand by”?• Don’t know what to do

• Afraid of retaliation

• Afraid to make the situation worse

Consequences for bystanders:How does the bystander feel?

• Anxiety and guilt

• Loss of self-respect and self-confidence

• Desensitized to negative behaviors, diminished empathy for others

Be A Courageous Bystander!• Don’t be part of the “Silent

Majority”

• All it takes sometimes is ONE PERSON

• Take responsibility for creating safe and respectful school

• “Lend A Hand” to the Target (an acronym/things to do to help the victim)

Courageous Bystander:• Let bully know it’s not okay

• (Show) Empathy to the Target

• Never bully back

• Distract the bully – make conversation with the bully

Courageous Bystander• Ask an adult for help

• Hang out with the target; let them know you care

• Ask the target to join your group

Courageous Bystander• Never cheer the bully on,

laugh, encourage or stand around and watch

• Don’t ignore the bullying; it will only get worse

• “Lend A Hand”

If you’re bullied: “Take a Stand”• An acronym for the target/things he/she

can do:

• Tell an adult – parent, teacher, counselor, administrator

• Agree with the bully - use sarcasm: “Thank you; Thanks for sharing”

• Keep friends close; walking the halls

• Emotions – share, don’t bully back

If bullied or targeted.…….• Avoid the bully – walk a

different route

• Stand up for yourself – “Leave me alone; Stop making fun of me; That’s not funny.”

• Talk to someone about how you feel – Counselor, safe adult, friends, parents

If bullied or targeted……..• Ask the bully questions – “Why

are you doing that?”

• Never bully back – but be assertive

• Don’t show fear – but show that you can be confident/assertive

Don’t be a victim…• Don’t laugh it off if it offends you. This

sends the wrong message.

• Don’t hesitate to tell your teacher, counselor, principal, and/or parents.

• Don’t ignore the situation. This can lead to a cycle of ongoing harassment and victimization.

• Harassment is not your fault!

Our Goal – To Build A Respectful School

• Respect between peers

• Respect between students and teachers

• Respect for our school traditions