BULLY PREVENTION POLICY
The staff and community of Alta Vista School believe that all students have a right to a safe and healthy school environment. The staff and community have an obligation to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and acceptance.The staff and community of Alta Vista School will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of any student.
Definition
Bullying is when one person tries to control another person physically or emotionally.Bullying is when a person hurts, embarrasses, or frightens another person on purpose over and over again.People who bully like to feel strong and have power over other kids.Bullying behavior is characterized as repeated, an imbalance of power and/or purposefully hateful or intentional harmful.
Examples of bullying behavior are….
Calling people names
Telling lies about people
Hurting others (pushing, hitting, kicking, pinching, poking, tripping)
Leaving others out on purpose
Making threats or harassing people
Using put downs
Forcing someone to do something they don’t want to do
Making fun of people or teasing them
Spreading rumors or lies
Stealing or damaging someone’s things
Making mean phone calls
Sending mean notes or text messages
School Expectations
- A student shall not intimidate or harass another student through words or actions.
- Any student who engages in bullying will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
- Students are expected to immediately report incidents of bullying to their teacher, yard duty or school staff
What to Do If you are Bullied
If someone is harassing you, it might be tempting to be mean right back. Don’t’ do it!Getting even with someone for his or her bad behavior does not help.It is not allowed and can get you in trouble.If you get picked on, follow this plan:
- Tell the bully to stop. Tell the teaser that this is not OK at Alta Vista.
- If it happens again, ignore it and walk away.
- Buddy Up! - Play with a classmate or friend.bully
- If it continues or If you don’t feel safe, walk or run away and find an adult.
- Tell an adult where and when the bullying happened - remember that telling ISN’T tattling.
What to Do When Others are Bullied
- Refuse to join in
- Speak up - use words like “Don’t treat him that way!”“Stop pushing her!”
- Tell a teacher or another adult at school
- Be a friend to the person who is being bullied
- Include students who are left out - ask them to join your game or group
TELLING/REPORTING VERSUS TATTLING
“Are you telling to be harmful (tattling) or helpful (reporting)?”
”Are you trying to get someone in trouble?” (tattling)
“Are you seeing another student being bullied (reporting)
”Are you having a problem with bullying?” (reporting)
”Are you helping a friend who is hurt?” (reporting)