Goal

Our goal at Burton ISD is to expose students to the nature of bullying and to teach them to accept one another regardless of individual differences. We believe that all students have the right to be treated with dignity and respect by faculty, staff, and their peers. We do not tolerate or ignore any form of bullying.

Objectives

This anti-bullying plan is designed to meet the following objectives:

To inform faculty, staff, and parents about the seriousness of bullying and methods for its prevention.
To create a caring and collaborative community in the classroom.
To provide a safe school culture for all students.
To give students strategies for what to do if they are bullied or threatened.
To teach children what do if they see someone other than themselves being victimized by a bully.
To provide resources in order to gain more information on bullying issues.

Definition

According to HB 283, bullying is engaging in written or verbal expression or physical conduct that (1) has the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of either; or (2) is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a school.

Prevention

Make it clear that bullying will not be tolerated in the classroom, in the hallways, on the playground, in the restroom, on the bus, or in any school setting.
Train staff and students regarding awareness of bullying and its consequences.
Help students identify and report bullying as bullies, victims, or bystanders.
Continue to promote character education and positive discipline management techniques.
Make parents aware of bullying, the consequences of bullying, and parental and student rights.

Plan of Action

Teach strategies to effectively deal with bullying.
Provide a safe method for students to report bullying.
Take immediate action once bullying is reported.

Consequences

A substantiated complaint against a student will result in disciplinary action, according to the nature of the offense and the Student Code of Conduct.

First Offense

Contact parents of all involved in incident.

Second Offense

Counselor referral
Counseling sessions

Third Offense

Office referral (administrator will follow Student Code of Conduct to address specific offenses).

Evaluation

Conduct an annual needs assessment.
Monitor on-going activities, i.e. discipline referrals.
Make changes identified by needs.