Bullying is mean or hurtful behavior that keeps happening. It is unfair and one-sided. Our school defines bullying by three primary characteristics: It is aggressive behavior that is usually repeated over time, occurs in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power, and intends to cause harm or distress and/or has a serious harmful or distressing impact on the target.
Hurting someone physically by hitting, kicking, tripping, or pushing
Stealing or damaging another person's things
Ganging up on someone
Teasing someone in a hurtful way, or name-calling
Using put-downs, such as insulting someone's race or making fun of someone for being a boy or a girl
Touching or showing private body parts
Spreading malicious rumors or untruths about someone
Leaving someone out on purpose, or trying to get other kids not to play with someone
Threatening
Any of the above behaviors using electronic devices
On school grounds: Immediately before or after school hours, during school hours, or at any other time when the school is being used by a school group.
Off school grounds: At a school activity, function, or event.
When traveling: To or from school or a school activity, function, or event.
When using property or equipment provided by the school
On or off school grounds: When the behavior has caused significant disruption to the learning environment or interfered with an individual's ability to learn.
It is the district and school expectation that all bullying incidents be reported. Teachers or other school staff witnessing or who become aware of a bullying situation should address it right away; many times the situation can be rectified before it requires complicated interventions. Students and their parents are encouraged to communicate openly with staff if they see, hear, or experience bullying. Students, families, and staff can make referrals to:
The classroom teacher
The school counselor at mkasso@pvsdcamarillo.org or students can fill out this Google Form
The school principal
Any student, parent, or staff member can make an anonymous report about bullying at this link.
What Kids Can Do to Stop Bullying from StopBullying.gov
PACER's Kids Against Bullying is a website for elementary school students that teaches about bullying prevention.
StompOutBullying.org is a national nonprofit dedicated to changing the culture for all students. It works to reduce and prevent bullying, cyberbullying, and other digital abuse. They they educate against homophobia, racism, hatred, and violence in schools. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying.
The Caring for Kids - Bullying & School Violence Advocacy Program is funded by the Federal Victims of Crime Act. They offer 24/7 live counseling, in-person advocacy, and various other resources and referrals for students, parents, and educators. If you are being bullied you can call them at 1-866-BE-A-HERO
The PACER National Bullying Prevention Center provides resources designed to benefit all students, including those with disabilities. They have a great article for parents about children who are showing bullying behavior.
The New York Times has a great article, How To Bullyproof Your Child by Estelle Erasmus. If the direct NYT link doesn't work, you can access a PDF of the article here.
The California Department of Education has a list of anti-bullying publications and resources at this link.