Bullying
CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT STRIVES TO BE BULLY FREE!
CUSD schools proactively construct and maintain a social atmosphere which addresses all forms of bullying through:
- Creating a positive school culture via a school-wide implementation of Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS).
- A beginning-of-the-year school-wide assembly which defines bullying and its consequences.
- Ongoing, school-wide student and staff educational opportunities
DEFINITION OF BULLYING– BOARD POLICY 5141(D)
Bullying shall mean unwelcome, pervasive, and/or severe verbal, written, or physical conduct, though any means (including social media, texting, etc.) which is directed at a student or staff member by a student or staff member that has the effect of any or all of the following:
- Creating an intimidating and/or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities, or the ability of a staff member to perform his or her duties;
- Damaging, extorting, or taking a student or a staff member’s personal property;
- Placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of physical, emotional, or mental harm;
- Placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of damage to, or loss of, personal property.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE BEING BULLIED
- Talk to your parents or other trusted adults. They can help stop the bullying.
- Talk to your teacher, school counselor, or principal. Telling is not tattling.
- Don’t fight back. Don’t try to bully those who bully you.
- Try not to show anger or fear. Students who bully like to see that they can upset you. Calmly tell the student to stop…or say nothing and then walk away.
- Limit the interaction.
- Limit your message to five (5) words or less. Example: “Leave me alone.”
- “Three Strikes you’re out” rule. Repeat your five (5) words or less three times then walk away.
- Try and avoid situations in which bullying is likely to happen.
HOW TO REPORT BULLYING?
Students can report any incidents of bullying or harassment which may include:
- Text-A-Tip (Number is posted on school web-site)
- Incident Report Form in the office
- Online Bully Form or “Bully Box”
- Speak to or email a staff member
- Referral from staff member or bystander who witnessed event
Assistant Principal and/or Counselor will investigate the incident.
- Ensure all parties are familiar with Board Policy 5141(d) as it relates to bullying
- Follow up with concerned party and discuss results of investigation
CONSEQUENCES FOR BULLYING MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
- Situation logged in discipline file
- Bullying complaint report completed
- Situation logged in Bully Log filed both at school and at the District office
- Counseling
- Conflict Mediation
- Detention, Suspension, Involuntary Transfer, Expulsion
- Behavior Contract
- Notify School Resource Officer