What Elementary Staff/Adults/Volunteers Need to Know About Bullying/Harassment

Transcription

1 What Elementary Staff/Adults/Volunteers Need to Know About Bullying/Harassment 1

2 Introduction to Brevard Public Schools Bullying Policy

3 Brevard Public School Policy The Board is committed to a safe, secure, positive, productive, and nurturing educational environment that is free from bullying or harassment of any kind for all of its students, employees, volunteers, parents and/or school visitors. 3

4 Florida State Statute Information on the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for all Students Act Policy Requirements to uphold the law: Prohibit bullying or harassment by any student, school employee, volunteer, parent and/or school visitor Standard definition of bullying/harassment 4

5 Florida State Statute continued: A reporting system, including anonymous reporting Investigation procedures and time frames Interventions for both the victim (target) and bully Data Collection/Reporting Training for all students, school employees, volunteers, parents and/or school visitors 5

6 What is normal conflict? Conflicts happen every now and then and are accidental or unplanned. Behaviors are not attention-seeking or about power and control. 6

7 What is Bullying? Harm occurs as the result of an intentional act, rather than the result of a mistake or negligence. A power imbalance exists between the target and the bully. (real or imagined by the target) The bully enjoys carrying out the action. The bully repeats the behavior, often (if given a chance) in a systematic way. The target is hurt physically or psychologically and has a sense of being persecuted or oppressed. -Source Olweus 7

8 State Statute Definition of Bullying Bullying means systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees. It is further defined as unwanted and repeated written, verbal, or physical behavior, including any threatening, insulting, 8

9 Definition of Bullying continued or dehumanizing gesture, by an adult or a student, that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment; to cause discomfort or humiliation; or unreasonably interfere with the individual s school performance or participation. 9

10 Three Types of Bullying Physical Bullying- Harm to another s person or property Emotional Bullying- Harm to another s self-concept Relational Bullying- Harm to another through damage (or threat of damage) to relationship or to feelings of acceptance, friendship, or group inclusion 10

11 Direct Bullying can be Physical violence such as hitting, kicking, shoving, spitting Taunting, teasing, racial slurs Sexual, religious, or verbal harassment Threatening Obscene gestures Theft Destruction of property Stalking 11

12 Indirect Bullying can be Getting another person to bully someone for you Intimidation Spreading rumors, public humiliation Deliberately excluding someone from a group or activity Relational aggression (gossip, lies, betrayal, isolation) Cyber-bullying Cyber-stalking 12

13 Bullying may involve, but is not limited to: (Unwanted) teasing Social exclusion Threat Intimidation Stalking Physical violence Theft Public humiliation Cyber-bullying Cyber-stalking Sexual, religious, or racial/ethnic harassment Damaging or destruction of property Placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or property 13

14 Characteristics of Bullying RIP Repeated (Note: A severe one time incident may still meet the definition of bullying) Imbalance of Power Purposeful 14

15 What is Harassment? Any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct directed against a student or school employee that: 15

16 What is Harassment Continued Places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school 16

17 What is Cyber-bullying & Cyber- stalking? The use of electronic communication or technological devices to bully or harass 17

18 Cyber-bullying & Cyber-stalking Use of electronic communication or technological devices to include messages Instant messaging Text messaging Cellular phone communication Internet blogs Social websites Internet chat rooms Internet postings Digital pictures / images Defamatory websites to engage in acts of bullying and harassment 18

19 New Addition Regarding Cyber-bullying: The physical location or time of access of a computer-related incident cannot be raised as a defense in any disciplinary action initiated under this section. 19

20 What does that mean? No matter where or when a computer is used by a student or staff, if it was used to bully/harass a student or school adult, if reported, disciplinary sanctions must be taken by a school administrator. 20

21 Liability, Negligence, Duty of Care? Liability is legal responsibility the obligation to do, or not to do something. All BPS employees are liable for the safety of students. Negligence is a failure to act as a reasonable person is expected to act in similar circumstances when a duty exists towards the person affected. Duty of Care requires individuals to consider the consequence of their acts and omissions and to ensure those acts or omissions do not give rise to a foreseeable risk of injury to another person. 21

22 How Not to be Negligent Stop the bullying/harassment on the spot Report bullying/harassment immediately to an administrator 22

23 Expected Actions from Administrators, Teachers, Students, Staff and Volunteers Create a positive school climate, positive reinforcement for good conduct, self-discipline, good citizenship, and academic success. Demonstrate appropriate behavior and treat others with civility, respect and kindness. Address all bully/harassment incidents. 23

24 Tell students if they are a target of bullying it is okay to: Tell the bully to STOP! Walk away. REPORT THE BULLY to your teacher if the bullying behavior is repeated. 24

25 Know That Students/Adult Bystanders Should: Tell the person to STOP! Express disapproval by NOT JOINING IN! REPORT THE BULLY if the bullying behavior towards the individual is repeated. 25

26 An Adult Witness to Bullying/Harassment Should: Make sure the target is safe. Report the incident to the closest teacher or administrator. 26

27 How Staff /Adults Report Verbal: In-person reporting Written: Parent/Adult Incident Reporting Form (BPS website parent portal) Anonymous: Speak Out Hotline ( ), Ethics Hotline (located on BPS Home webpage), School-based website, if applicable 27

28 How Students Report Verbal: In-person reporting Written: BPS Student Incident Reporting Form (1) Anonymous: Bully Box, Speak Out Hotline ( ), School-based website, if applicable If an oral report is made, it should be documented on the Student Incident Reporting Form (1) and the Incident Investigation Form (4) 28

29 About Anonymous Reporting Formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report. 29

30 Incident Reporting and Immunity GOOD FAITH Anyone making a report in good faith is immune from cause of action/damages. It will NOT affect employment, grades, learning/working environment or assignments. WRONGFUL & INTENTIONAL Consequences and appropriate remedial action will apply. 30

31 Demographics vs. Attitudes Demographic factors don t predict the incidents of bullying. The attitudes of adults do! School communities that actively work to prevent and manage instances of bullying experience less bullying.

32 Create A School Community Attitude That: Prevents and responds to bullying/harassment by administrators, teachers, school staff members, students, and parents. Creates a climate where bullying is NOT TOLERATED! Models caring, kindness, respect, and responsibility. 32

33 Other Ways To Help Prevent Bullying/Harassment: Model speaking and acting in respectful ways to solve problems. Discuss bullying behaviors and how hurtful it can be. Make behavioral expectations clear and consistent when students and/or peers engage in hurtful teasing and bullying. Help children understand the meaning of friendship. Urge children and/or peers to report bullying. 33

34 What individuals can do: Do NOT expect victims to solve the problem! Do NOT expect that bullies will grow out of the bullying behavior. Adults MUST educate themselves, their children, and work together. Be proactive in preventing bullying rather than being reactive. 34

35 Consequences for school employees who violate the policy Brevard Public School Employees Ethics Policy Report Referral to EAP Disciplinary letter in file Report to Professional Practice Commission Up to recommendation of termination 35

36 Consequences for parents, visitors/volunteers who violate this policy Determined by the School Administrator Trespassed If applicable, report to appropriate law enforcement agency 36

37 Again! Expected behavior Create a positive school climate-positive reinforcement for good conduct, self-discipline, good citizenship, and academic success. Demonstrate appropriate behavior and treat others with civility, respect, and kindness. 37

38 REMEMBER! Your responsibility is to uphold the Florida State Statute Prohibit bullying or harassment by any student, school employee, volunteer, parent and/or school visitor. Report bullying/harassment should it be happening to you or you witness it happening to someone else. 38