Bullying

Bullying Prevention: A Classroom Discussion from Texas School Safety Center on Vimeo.

Irving ISD’s Definition of Bullying

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:

1. Has an 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 that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.

This conduct is considered bullying if it:

1. Exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator and the student victor through written or verbal expression or physical conduct; and

2. Interferes with a student's education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.

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.

In Addition, Bullying:

• Happens repeatedly over time

• Shows pattern of behavior

• Target/Victim feels threatened or intimidated by the individual or group

• There is an imbalance of power

• Or ONE significant event

Types of Bullying:

• Verbal: Rumor/Gossip, Name calling, Threats to one's physical well-being and property

• Physical: Hit, kick, slap, shove, push, bit, stealing property, damaging/vandalizing property, intimidation through entrapping and encircling

• Cyber: Social Network Sites, Inappropriate texting

• Social isolation by deliberately harming another's reputation

• Sexual

• Racial, Sexual Orientation, Religious

Bullying is NOT:

• A one-time occurrence

• When two people equally participating

• When two people possess roughly equal power in the situation

• About conflict, miscommunication, or one person's inability to control his or her anger

• Two people who aren't getting along

Bullying Websites

stopbullying.gov

Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center

Pacer's Center Kids Against Bullying

Center for Safe Schools

National Crime Prevention Council

Stop Cyberbullying

Ten Actions Parents Can Take if Your Child is Bullying Others