OKCPS Policies Against Bullying

District policy prohibits and does not tolerate bullying, harassment, or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, alienage, and veteran, parental, family and marital status or for any other reason. Bullying behaviors are prohibited on school premises, at school-sponsored or related activities, events or functions, or anywhere that students are under the supervision of school personnel.

Why is Bullying Prohibited?

Bullying is not permitted because it fosters a climate of fear and disrespect that can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of its victims and create conditions that negatively affect learning, thereby undermining the ability of students to achieve their full potential.

Behaviors that place another student or group of students in fear of harm, or insult or demean any student or group of students will not be permitted.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is defined as any pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or electronic communication directed toward a student or group of students that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or physical results for the targeted individual or group and is communicated in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school’s educational mission or the education of any student.

Types of Bullying Include:

Physical
Verbal
Emotional
Social
Cyber
Sexual

Bullying vs. Normal Conflict

Bullying behavior is different from normal conflict between persons.

When bullying, the perpetrator may be attempting to gain power, material things, or gain popularity. Bullying may include, but is not limited to, words or other behavior, such as name calling, threatening and/or shunning, or starting rumors, and may be committed by one or more students against another.

Normal conflict happens occasionally, may be accidental, is not serious, results in an equal emotional reaction. In normal conflict, students are not seeking power or attention, are not trying to get something, usually show remorse and take responsibility, and make an effort to solve their conflict.

Handling Bullying

Bullying perpetrators are referred to the school counselor or principal for education regarding the significance of bullying behavior, disciplinary action for repeat or ongoing offenses. Perpetrators may also be reported to the police.

Any student or groups of students, who have been the victim of discriminatory harassment should immediately report the incident to a school or district administrator, to the district’s safe schools hotline at (405) 587-STOP, or complete a TIPS Report online.

Contact the OKCPS Bullying Prevention Coordinator

Danielle Foster
(405) 587-0821
dfoster@okcps.org

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