Anonymous Reporting and Bullying Information

Bullying of a student may include hazing, threats, taunting, teasing, confinement, assault, demands for money, destruction of property, theft of valued possessions, name calling, rumor spreading, or ostracism.

The District prohibits retaliation of a student or District employee against any person who in good faith makes a report of bullying, serves as a witness, or participates in an investigation. Examples of retaliation may include threats, rumor spreading, ostracism, assault, destruction of property, unjustified punishments, or unwarranted grade reductions. Unlawful retaliation does not include petty slights or annoyances.

Most individuals have some type of contact with bullying. The individuals involved in bullying possess some of the following characteristics:

• Bully: displays power in some form (size, popularity, athleticism, knowledge, number, etc.), thrives on feelings of dominance, lacks empathy, uses blame, does not accept responsibility, craves attention, and may have a small network of friends.
• Victim: may lack social and/or assertiveness skills, may be passive, may experience feelings leading to the inability to concentrate, may lose interest in school, and may consider suicide or violence toward others.
• Bystander: has feelings of empathy yet seldom steps forward, feels powerless to defend the victim, behaves in a way to prevent becoming a victim him/herself, may begin to see bullying as the "norm," may feel guilt for not intervening, can successfully prevent or intervene if given instruction for intervention strategies.

Any student who believes that he/she has experienced bullying or believes that another student has experienced bullying should immediately report the alleged acts to a teacher, counselor, administrator, or other District employee.

Any District employee who suspects or receives notice that a student or group of students has or may have experienced bullying shall immediately notify the principal or designee.

• Report: A report may be made orally or in writing. The principal or designee shall reduce any oral reports to written form. Reports of bullying shall be made as soon as possible after the alleged act or knowledge of the alleged act. A failure to immediately report may impair the District's ability to investigate and address the prohibited conduct. To access the online Complaint Form, click the link to the right.
• False Claims: A student who intentionally makes a false claim, offers false statements, or refuses to cooperate with a District investigation regarding bullying shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
• Investigation: The principal or designee shall conduct an appropriate investigation based on the allegations in the report and take interim action to prevent bullying during the course of the investigation. A final, written report shall include a determination of whether bullying occurred, and if so, whether the victim used reasonable self-defense. A copy of the report shall be sent to the Superintendent. If an incident of bullying is confirmed, the principal or designee shall promptly notify the parents of the victim and of the student who engaged in bullying.
• Outcomes: If the results of an investigation indicate that bullying occurred, the District shall promptly respond by taking disciplinary action in accordance with the District's Student Code of Conduct. A student who used reasonable self-defense in response to bullying shall not be subject to disciplinary action. A student who is dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigation may appeal through FNG(LOCAL), beginning at the appropriate level.

For additional information, consult the Snook ISD Student Handbook or FFI(LOCAL) policy.

STUDENT STRATEGIES TO PREVENT BULLYING

• Choose to not participate in bullying behaviors.
• Report any incident of bullying to a teacher, administrator, or counselor.
• Practice skills and strategies to take a stand.
• Encourage your friends and classmates to take a stand against any bullying they observe.
• Take an individual stand.
• Be friendly toward another student that is a target of bullying.
• Be a friend to new or needy students.
• If you hear bullying, change the conversation or help the student being bullied walk away from the situation.

STUDENT STRATEGIES IF YOU ARE BEING BULLIED

• Walk away with confidence, even though you may not be feeling it at the moment.
• Be calm.
• Tell the bully to stop.
• Use appropriate language.
• Do NOT argue or fight back.
• Have friends around and stay in safe places.
• Tell a responsible adult that you trust (parent, teacher, coach, counselor, administrator)
• Keep telling until the bullying behavior stops.

PARENT STRATEGIES TO PREVENT BULLYING

• Teach your children to respect others and their differences.
• Model respectful behavior.
• Use the "teachable moments." When watching TV or witnessing an even in public that is clearly bullying, talk to your child about that incident. "How would you feel?" "What could you have done?" "Why is this not a good (nice) way to behave?"
• Let your child know that inexcusable behavior by others (other children or even adults) is NOT an excuse for their bad behavior.
• Teach empathy. "How do you think that person feels?" "Why?" "Would you want someone to treat you or members of your family or your friends that way?"
• Talk with your child about what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior when using communication and information technologies.
• Be aware of your child's time on the computer and cell phone and the websites he/she visits.

IF YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED

• Help him/her learn coping skills.
• Alert the school if it is happening on campus or a school sponsored event/trip.
• Continue to monitor what is happening.
• Help your child understand the need to tell.
• Don't let fear of retaliation keep you from reporting the incident.

IF BULLYING OR HARASSMENT IS SUSPECTED AND/OR REPORTED

• School staff takes appropriate action to investigate or otherwise determine what has occurred. The specific steps of the investigation will vary depending on the nature of the allegations, the source of the complaint, the age of the students involved, and other factors including the availability of staff to investigate the complaint.
• The inquiry should be prompt, thorough, and impartial.

IF SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS BELIEVE BULLYING OR HARASSMENT HAS OCCURRED

• If an investigation reveals that discriminatory action has occurred, a school should take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to the end the harassment, eliminate any hostile environment and its effects, and prevent harassment from recurring.
• Appropriate steps to end harassment or bullying may include separating the accused harasser and the target, provide counseling for target and/or harasser, and/or taking disciplinary action against the harasser.