Bullying Definition

Bullying 

Bullying is defined as written or verbal expression, relational aggression, physical act or gesture that is a pattern and is intended to cause distress upon one or more persons. Bullying may include an imbalance of power between the bully and the victim and may start as harassment, be physical, verbal, cyber or indirect in nature.

Types of Bullying

·   Verbal

o   Teasing, name-calling, inappropriate comments, taunting, threatening to harm.

·   Social

o   Spreading rumors, intentionally leaving others out of activities, breaking up friendships, manipulation.

·   Physical

o   This traditional form of bullying involves hitting, punching, shoving and other acts of intended intimidation and physical harm.

·   Cyberbullying

o   This method of bullying involves use of the Internet, texting, email and other digital technologies to harm others.

The school will generate pro-active measures to reduce bullying and create a supportive, caring and safe environment for all members of the school community. 

All reported acts of bullying will be investigated and acted upon. ISU encourages all members of the school community to report incidences of bullying.

Depending on the nature and severity of the incident reactive measures will include peer mediation, counseling, parent involvement and consequences in line with ISU Behaviors and Consequences. Except for very serious cases bullying behavior will be managed by a therapeutic approach on a case by case basis.