No Bully

Bullying is an intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or gesture, or pattern thereof, by a student that is intended to cause or is perceived as causing distress to one or more students which substantially interferes with another student’s or students’ education, opportunities or performance.

Bullying includes, but is not limited to, conduct by a student against another student that a reasonable person under the circumstances knows or should know has the effect of: (1) harming a student; (2) damaging a student’s property: (3) placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or property; and (4) creating a hostile educational environment for a student. (Electronic Bullying or Cyberbullying that occurs off campus and/or at a non-school related event may fall under the TUSD Conduct Code, if the behavior causes a significant disruption to the school.)

All of the following four (4) criteria shall be met for Bullying 48900(r):

1. Specific Type of Aggression (Verbal, Physical or Psychological, Cyber),

2. Behavior is Intended to Harm or Disturb,

3. Carried out Repeatedly and Over Time, and

4. Imbalance of Power (Physical or Psychological)

Conduct that is “substantially interfering with a student’s education” will be determined by considering a targeted student’s grades, attendance, demeanor, interaction with peers, participation in activities, and other indicators.

Conduct that may rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, and bullying may take many forms, including, but not limited to, slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendoes, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, ostracism, physical attacks or threats, gestures, or acts relating to an individual or group whether electronic, written, oral, or physically transmitted messages or images.

“Stop-Walk-Talk” teaches students what bullying is and what it is not. For example, teasing, calling someone names, gossiping, excluding students from an activity, continuous pushing or constant poking are examples of bullying while accidentally bumping into someone or politely declining an invitation to play is not.

All students were taught the “Stop” signal. Our stop signal requires them to look directly at the other student, make the hand signal for stop and use a firm voice to say, “STOP.” Students are encouraged to use the “Stop” signal if they are being bullied or if they see someone else being bullied. Students were also taught how to respond if they are given the “Stop” signal. The student receiving the “Stop” signal should immediately stop what he or she is doing, take a deep breath, count to 3, and then go on with their day following our school rules. Students were reminded that they should stop what they are doing, regardless of whether they agree that they deserved the stop signal or not. By following these guidelines, students show respect for themselves toward one another.

What if a student gives another student the stop signal, but the problem behavior continues? Students were then taught to “Walk” away or ignore the behavior. When it is not possible to walk away, such as while riding the bus, students were taught to “ignore” the student by looking the other way and not responding to them further either verbally or nonverbally (through gestures).

Finally, if students have tried to solve the problem, by using the stop signal and walking away or ignoring it and the bullying continues, then they can “Talk” to an adult. All staff has been trained to respond to a student’s request to talk.

First, the staff member will ask the student about the problem. Then, they will ask the student if they used the “stop” signal and tried walking away. Students will be praised for trying these steps or reminded about using these steps first before talking to an adult.

Finally, the staff member will discuss the problem behavior with the student who is engaging in problem or disrespectful behavior. They will remind students what they are to do when they are given the stop signal by another student or students (i.e., immediately stop what they are doing, take a deep breath and count to 3, and continue with their day following our school rules).

In addition, staff will enforce the appropriate consequence for breaking one of our school rules. Parents will receive notification from the school if their student continues to engage in disrespectful or unsafe behaviors.

One important exception to the “Stop-Walk-Talk” sequence is when a student is in immediate danger such as fighting or for cyberbullying. In this case, students were told to immediately tell an adult.