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SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOLS ACTMN’s Anti-Bullying Legislation

and Lakeview’s Plan

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School Board Policy #514• Can be found on website, approved this summer based

on legislation and recommendation from state agency, MSBA

• Purpose: to conduct a safe and civil environment.• General Statements: bullying is expressly prohibited at

school at any time, including those who condone bullying through indirect behavior. Apparent permission does not negate this prohibition. Retaliation is prohibited. False accusations are prohibited. Bullying is subject to school discipline. The school district will act to investigate all complaints.

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Definitions• “Bullying” means intimidating, threatening, abusing or

harming conduct that is objectively offensive and• An actual or perceived imbalance of power exists, and the conduct

is repeated or forms a pattern; or• Materially and substantially interferes with a students’ educational

opportunities or performance, or ability to participate in school functions or activities…

• Cyberbullying is included.• Can occur off school grounds to the extent that it substantially and

materially disrupts learning or the environment.

• Immediately means within 24 hours.

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Reporting Procedure• Report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate

school district official. Report may be anonymous, but this may affect future steps.

• Reporting form is available.• Principal or designee is person responsible for receiving

bullying reports, is also responsible for following this policy.

• Bullying reports are private educational data.• Submissions of good faith will not be used against

reporter.• Privacy will be respected as much as possible.

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School District Action• Within three days of receiving report, district will

undertake an investigation.• Immediate steps may be taken.• Alleged perpetrator shall be allowed the opportunity to

present a defense during investigation or prior to imposition of discipline or other response.

• Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken.

• School is not authorized to disclose to victim or parents private educational data such as specific discipline assigned to perpetrator.

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Retaliation or Reprisal• Discipline will occur if reprisal or retaliation is committed.

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Training and Education• Teachers will receive training in a three year cycle. New

teachers shall be within first year. Information will be included in handbooks.

• Students shall be educated and informed.• Positive environment is better than a negative one.

• Engage all student in creating a safe and supportive school environment.

• Partner with parents and community members.• Engage all in education, intervention, and remediation.• Train student bystanders to intervene and report.• Teach students to advocate for themselves and others.

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Notice• Annual notice of policy to all—Handbooks.• Conspicuously posted in office.• Given to staff.• Available to all on school website.• Electronically submitted to Commissioner of Education.

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So, enough with the Mumbo-Jumbo• Do we have bullying-like behaviors?• Yes• But not everything is bullying—pattern of behaviors,

imbalance of power.• Do we have bullies?• Perhaps• Students identified them in a survey last spring, and

administration will be talking with those individuals.• Do they wake up deciding to be a bully?• I can’t answer that, but I do believe we control our outlook

on life on a daily basis.

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Bullying vs. Peer Conflict• Peer conflict?• Absolutely.• What does it look like?• Looking at me funny, whispering when they look at me.• Is there something to be said about developing a thick

skin?• Absolutely!

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Tattling vs. Telling• Tattle—to report in the attempt to get another student in

trouble• Tell—to report in the attempt to keep someone safe

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Why do they do it?• There isn’t a solid answer.• Bullyingstatistics.org

• Cultural Causes—violent influences, entertainment• Institutional Causes—allowed to happen• Social Issues—to get noticed, insecure without this kind of

attention• Family Issues—inconsistent discipline and monitoring or highly

punitive atmosphere• Personal History—pass it on• Having Power—leadership skills not developed• Provocative Victims—annoying, aggressive verbally

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Reporting Bullying• Is all bullying-like behavior reported?• No.• Why not?• #1 answer—Administration doesn’t do anything about it

anyway.• #2—Reporting it only makes it worse.

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In response• Administration does address everything, starting with

anonymous; however, it may not be to others’ levels of satisfaction, but it is within policy.• Adults don’t always agree with teenager behaviors, but growing is

a part of life.

• If there is retaliation or reprisal, it needs to be reported so the next steps can be taken—progressive discipline.• This is often shared with the perpetrator in the

interview/investigation.• Anonymous reporting may seem to make this difficult.

• We’re a small school; we all know each other.

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Administrative pathway

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Difficult Topic• Bullying is a very difficult area, but everything is not

bullying.• What is bullying? What interferes with students wanting to

come to school or get an education while they are here?• Poll everywhere with students on the first day for more

information:• What is bullying?• Are you concerned about this year?• What kind of bullying?• Does it interfere with your wanting to come to school?

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Adult vs. Student• All of this is top down, adult centered action.• This isn’t the most effective way.• Positive Peer Pressure• Doesn’t always happen. Why not?• Afraid of becoming the next victim.

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In response• There are more ants than grasshoppers

• Why?• A majority of students do not engage in bullying.• Do they let it occur by passive behavior?• More than likely.• Be an Upstander rather than a bystander.

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What can parents do to help the issue?

• Greatschools.org• Be alert and observant, since victims are often reluctant to report

bullying.• As difficult as it is, try to stick to facts without becoming overly

emotional.• Model attitudes and actions.• Teach safety strategies.• Nurture your child’s self-esteem• Collaborate with school personnel.

• Parents of Bullies• Model attitudes and actions• Hold the bully accountable• Help them change the behavior

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We all have roles.

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More Resources• StopBullying.gov• Ncpc.org—National Crime Prevention Council• Stop-bullies.com• Imgettingbullied.com• Stopwalktalk.org

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Questions or Comments?• Please let administration know.

• Thank you!