Bullying Prohibited
The District prohibits bullying as defined by this policy. Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of district policy and is prohibited.
Definition
Bullying occurs when a student or group of students engages in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that occurs on school property, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, or in a vehicle operated by the District and that:
- Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property; or
- Is sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.
This conduct is considered bullying if it:
- Exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator and the student victim through written or verbal expression or physical conduct; and
- Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.
Examples
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.
Retaliation
The District prohibits retaliation by 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
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 annoyance
Timely Reporting
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.
Reporting Procedures
To obtain assistance and intervention, any student who believes that he or she has experienced bullying or believes that another student has experienced bullying should immediately report the alleged acts to a teacher, counselor, principal, or other District employee.
Please report a bullying incident on the MISD Bullying Form.
STOPit – Anti-Bullying Solutions
STOPit Solutions was founded in 2013 with one mission in mind – to empower schools, colleges, government, and workplaces with comprehensive and complementary safety technologies and compliance solutions that help create inclusive, connected, and healthy learning and working cultures while minimizing overall organizational risks.
STOPit Solutions is delivering on its mission through our STOPit Anonymous Reporting System, 24/7 Incident Management Center, 24/7 Hotline Reporting Center, and our Mental Health & Wellness Compliance Training Center. These products and services are being used by over 6,000 organizations and more than 4 million students and employees globally. The result – STOPit has intervened in over 150,000 incidents that helped deter inappropriate behaviors, assist individuals in distress, stop violent acts, and mitigate risk and legal exposure for our customers.
Behind these products and results is our experienced and customer-centric STOPit Team from around the country and in our headquarters at the iconic Bell Works Campus in Holmdel, NJ.
Malakoff ISD uses STOPit, an online and app-based system, to empower students, parents, teachers, and others to anonymously report anything of concern to school officials - from cyber-bullying to threats of violence or self-harm.
STOPit does more than just help schools address incidents and mitigate risk. STOPit will also help us go beyond reacting to bullying and inappropriate behavior and instead start deterring it. As young people continue to engage more with technology every day, Malakoff ISD is taking a proactive step to empower students to become Upstanders in our community in the way that they feel most comfortable. MISD believes the adoption of STOPit is an important step in the continued effort to provide a positive school climate and a safe learning environment for students.
STOPit Link
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