FAX Region10 CISS co-op presents… Take a Peek at Policy

Bully Definition HB 1942 In the Texas Education code bullying is now defined as;“engaging 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: (1) 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 (2) is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.”

What needs to be looked at when making Policy? TASB Provide Legal Policy to most districts Local Policy Student Code of Conduct Handbook District and Campus Improvement Plans Procedures Documentation Forms

Definition + Policy Procedures Building Local Policy Develop a district atmosphere that promotes: Self Discipline Respect or self, others, and property Respectful relationships with other students Respectful relationship with staff members Student responsibility to report to a teacher, administrator or counselor if they believe a student has been bullied or witnessed a bulling incident.

Policy Procedures The Board of Trustees of each school district must adopt a policy, including any necessary procedures, concerning bullying that: prohibits the bullying of a student; prohibits retaliation against any person, including a victim, a witness, or another person, who in good faith provides information concerning an incident of bullying.

Let’ s look at your policy… What are some things we could put into policy to prohibit and protect? ISD will prohibit unwanted and purposeful gestures written, verbal, or physical to demean, threaten, abuse, intimidate making one feel not human causing emotional distress. Identify Verbal, Written, and Physical actions not allowed in your district, be specific (example name calling, teasing making threats) ISD will protect the identity and respect the privacy of students who report, or witness bulling incidents to prevent retaliation.

Policy Procedures The Board of Trustees of each school district must adopt a policy, including any necessary procedures, concerning bullying that: establishes a procedure for providing notice of an incident of bullying to a parent or guardian of the victim and a parent or guardian of the bully within a reasonable amount of time after the incident; establishes the actions a student should take to obtain assistance and intervention in response to bullying; sets out the available counseling options for a student who is a victim of or a witness to bullying or who engages in bullying;

Let’s look at your policy How will your district put in local policy to notify, intervene and provide assistance to all involved? ISD will report to parents are guardian of the victim, the bully, and all students who by their behavior support or condone the bullying behaviors. ( a timeline way of notification needs to be in writing) ISD will intervene by providing the bully, victims, and bystanders with programs, activities, and guidance to prevent bullying, as well as providing confidence of safety. (what are these programs) ISD Counselor will provide the victim with skills to develop communication, assertiveness, and ensure safety. The bully with relationship skills, and anger management skills.

Policy and Procedures The Board of Trustees of each school district must adopt a policy, including any necessary procedures, concerning bullying that: establishes procedures for reporting an incident of bullying, investigating reported incident of bullying, and determining whether the reported incident of bullying occurred;

Let’s look at your policy How does your district handle reporting, investigating, documenting, and determining the incident to be classified bullying? Reporting – forms used, procedures, identify roles of staff, administration, and counselors. Investigating – policy on procedures of who conducts the investigation, and determines the incident is bullying, and timeline of notification. Documenting – how will this documentation be kept, relate to student code of conduct.

Policy and Procedures The Board of Trustees of each school district must adopt a policy, including any necessary procedures, concerning bullying that: prohibits the imposition of a disciplinary measure on a student who is a victim of bullying on the basis of that student's use of reasonable self-defense in response to the bullying; requires that discipline for bullying of a student with disabilities comply with applicable requirements under federal law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Let’s look at your policy How is your student code of conduct set up according to Discipline Chapter 37 to establish procedures for the bully, victim, bystanders, and students that fall under IDEA? What will your policy state that would identify a victim in protecting themselves? (Take in consideration your safety plan) Every school has a policy and procedure to protect students with disabilities and discipline, however you might want to add procedures determining the identity of bullying that includes disabilities especially with emotional disturbance.

Tips on Policy Glossary of Definitions Safety Plan Be specific of expectations Give examples Train staff to make sure everyone is on the same page and can identify bullying

STUDENT CODES OF CONDUCT MUST PROHIBIT BULLYING AND OTHER HARASSING BEHAVIORS. Student Code of Conduct Handbook

Standards for Student Code of conduct Each student is expected to: Demonstrate courtesy, even when others do not. Behave in a responsible manner, always exercising self discipline Attend all classes regularly and on time. Prepare for each class; take appropriate materials and assignments to class. Meet district and campus standards of grooming and dress. Obey all campus and classroom rules. Respect the rights and privileges of students, teachers, and other district staff and volunteers. Respect the property of others, including district property and facilities. Cooperate with and assist the school staff in maintaining safety, order, and discipline. Adhere to the requirements of the Student Code of Conduct.

Student Code of Conduct Your Districts Conduct  Specify circumstances under which a student may be removed from a classroom, school campus, or alternative education program;  Specify conditions when a principal or administrator may transfer a student to an alternative education program; Let’s look at a model of student code of conduct Does your Student Code of Conduct have these specifications?

 Outline conditions under which a student may be suspended or expelled;  Address parent/guardian notification of code violations that result in suspension, removal to a disciplinary alternative education program, or expulsion;  Let’s look at a Model of student Code of Conduct

Does your Student Code of Conduct have these specifications?  Prohibit bullying, harassment, and making hit lists and ensure that district employees enforce these prohibitions  Provide methods for classroom management, student discipline, and “preventing and intervening in student discipline problems, including bullying, harassment, and making hit lists.” Students shall not: Use profanity or vulgar language or make obscene gestures. Fight or scuffle. (For assault see DAEP Placement and Expulsion.) FIGHT. Keep in mind that not all fighting constitutes assault and may not require placement in a DAEP. [See Threaten a district student, employee, or volunteer, including off school property, if the conduct causes a substantial disruption to the educational environment. Engage in bullying, harassment, or making hit lists. (See glossary for all three terms.) BULLYING. Refer to policy FFI(LOCAL) for the district’s provisions regarding allegations of bullying and the procedures for handling an investigation to determine if bullying has occurred.

Does your Student Code of Conduct have these specifications? Defines “harassment” as “threatening to cause harm or bodily injury to another student, engaging in sexually intimidating conduct, causing physical damage to the property of another student, subjecting another student to physical confinement or restraint, or maliciously taking any action that substantially harms another student’s physical or emotional health or safety.” Let’s look at a model of student code of conduct

FAX Thank you!