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What is Bullying?

Bullying is:

• Repeated-typically repeated over time
• Intentional-the bully intends to hurt the target
• Power-it involves an imbalance of power or strength

Bullying may take many forms, such as:

• Physical-hitting or punching
• Verbal-teasing or name calling
• Non-verbal-intimidation, using gestures, social exclusion
• Cyberbullying-sending insulting messages by text, email, or via social media

What to do if your child is the target of a bully:

• First, focus on your child.  Be supportive and gather information about the bullying.
• Never tell your child to ignore the bullying. What the child may “hear” is that you are going to ignore it. If the child were able to simply ignore it, he or she likely would not have told you about it. Often, trying to ignore bullying allows it to become more serious.
• Listen carefully to what your child tells you about the bullying. Ask him or her to describe who was involved and how and where each bullying episode happened.
• Learn as much as you can about the bullying tactics used, and when and where the bullying happened. Can your child name other children or adults who may have witnessed the bullying?
• Empathize with your child. Tell him/her that bullying is wrong, not their fault, and that you are glad he or she had the courage to tell you about it.
• Ask your child what he or she thinks can be done to help. Assure him or her that you will think about what needs to be done and you will let him or her know what you are going to do.
• If you disagree with how your child handled the bullying situation, avoid criticizing him or her.
• Do not encourage physical retaliation (“Just hit them back”) as a solution. Hitting another student is not likely to end the problem, and it could get your child suspended or expelled or escalate the situation.
• Check your emotions. A parent's protective instincts stir strong emotions. Although it is difficult, a parent is wise to step back and consider the next steps carefully.
• Be sure to contact your child's teacher or principal with the information that you have gathered from your child.
• Expect the bullying to stop. Talk regularly with your child and with school staff to see whether the bullying has stopped.
• If the bullying persists, contact school authorities again.

Bullying Policy:

Bullying – EC § 48900(r)/234.1

Any student who engages in bullying may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. Bullying means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including oral and/or written communications (including an electronic act). The types of conduct considered to be bullying include hate violence, sexual harassment, harassment, intimidation or threats directed toward one or more students.

Any student who feels he/she is being or has been subjected to bullying shall immediately notify his/her teacher or another District employee. A school employee, to whom a complaint is made or whom observes an incident of bullying, shall intervene immediately to the degree it is safe to do so. The principal/designee to whom a complaint of bullying is reported shall immediately investigate the complaint in accordance with administrative regulation. Where the principal/designee finds bullying occurred, he/she shall take prompt, appropriate action to end the bullying and address its effects on the victim. The principal/designee shall advise the Superintendent/ designee and refer the matter to law enforcement when required.

For a copy of the District’ anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, antiintimidation and anti-bullying policies or to report incidences of bullying, please contact your child’s principal.

Appeals of a school’s bullying decision may be made to:

Director of Learning Support Services

750 East Main Street, El Cajon CA 92020

(619) 588-3278