Definition - What is bullying?
Bullying is a way of using power aggressively in which a person is subjected to intentional, unwanted and unprovoked hurtful and/or physical actions. Bullying results in the victim feeling oppressed, fearful, distressed, injured, or uncomfortable. The aggression is repeated on more than one occasion and can include either: physical, verbal, emotional, racial, sexual, written, electronic, damage to property, social exclusion, and intimidation. Bullying often takes place in a social context. Bystanders play a critical role in impacting bullying either positively or negatively.
Procedures for Addressing Bullying Prevention It is important that all students feel safe at school in order for students to focus on learning and achievement. To ensure the success of all students, Rio Rancho Elementary has developed and is implementing a comprehensive bullying prevention plan.
School Wide Approach
Rio Rancho Elementary utilizes a school wide bully prevention program. All students receive lessons from the Second Step Violence Prevention Program. Lessons include empathy training, impulse control, problem solving and anger management. School staff is provided with training and education on bullying prevention. All school staff will receive the bullying prevention plan.
Reporting Bullying Incidents
Students will be taught the necessary skills to recognize, report and respond to bullying as a victim or a bystander.
Rio Rancho ES has a bully reporting process that will ensure the confidentiality of reporters, witnesses, victims and alleged perpetrators.
All school personnel is required to report alleged or suspected incidents of bullying.
Bullying can be reported by filling out an investigation report form stating details of the incident.
Anyone can fill out an investigation report form including: a parent/guardian, school personnel, a person who has been bullied, a bystander, or a person exhibiting bullying behaviors (wanting to learn the skills to stop those behaviors).
The District prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying. Appropriate measures are taken to protect reporters, witnesses, and victims of bullying from retaliation.
Parent Involvement
Parent involvement is extremely important in preventing and intervening with bullying behaviors. Parents can speak to their children about appropriate behaviors and show support for consequences given at school.
Parents can also help by encouraging children to report any instance of bullying that they are involved with or witness.
Responding to Bullying
Immediate intervention will occur to stop bullying.
Several steps of action are followed after an investigation report is filed.
Staff will review and conduct an initial inquiry of the report. This may include interviewing the person who made the report to inquire what occurred and provide any emotional support necessary.
Staff will also speak to the student accused of bullying to explain that a report has been made and clarify the incident. If the incident is determined to be a valid bullying situation, parents of all students involved will be contacted. The student will sign a contract stating he/she will not continue to exhibit bullying behaviors and understand that if an additional report is made there will be serious consequences.
If additional reports are filed against the same student, consequences such as a pink slip, loss of recess, detention, and/or suspension may be issued.
Note: All parties in involved in a bullying report will be interviewed separately. Mediation is not appropriate in bullying situations.