1. Los Angeles Unified School District Office of School Operations - Human Relations, Diversity and Equity Parent Seminar on Student Discipline by November, 2012 “bullying: What PARENTS need to know”

2. OBJECTIVES… Increase awareness of the LAUSD anti-bullying & hazing policy Explore the different types of bullying & hazing Identify the warning signs of bullying & hazing Legal obligations Identify strategies & resources for preventing and responding to bullying

3. Bullying Then & Now

4. Bullying is Bullying is the deliberate antagonistic action or creation of a situation with the intent of inflicting emotional, physical, or psychological distress. The behavior must be unwanted, severe and/or pervasive. BUL-5212.1 Bullying Policy (Student-to-Student, Adult-to Student, and Student-to-Adult) September 17, 2012

5. Bullying Definition – Effective July 01, 2012 "Bullying" means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including electronic communications, and including one or more acts committed by a pupil or group of pupils, directed toward one or more pupils, that has or can be reasonably predicted to have one or more of the following effects on a reasonable pupil:

6. Reasonable fear of harm to person or property of pupil(s) Substantially detrimental effect on physical or mental health of pupil(s) Substantial interference with academic performance Substantial interference with ability to participate in or benefit from school services, activities, or privileges

7. Verbal Bullying May include: - name-calling - teasing - gossiping - making threats - making rude noises - spreading rumors

8. Nonverbal Bullying May include: posturing making gang signs leering staring stalking destroying property or using graffiti or graphic images exhibiting inappropriate and/or threatening gestures or actions

9. H. Priebe-Diaz, Human Relations, Diversity & Equity Physical Bullying May include unwelcome: hitting pushing / shoving poking kicking tripping strangling hair pulling fighting biting spitting

10. H. Priebe-Diaz, Human Relations, Diversity & Equity Social Bullying May include: ostracizing / isolating rejecting extorting defaming humiliating manipulating friendships rating or ranking personal characteristics

11. H. Priebe-Diaz, Human Relations, Diversity & Equity Indirect Bullying This person is often referred to as the “instigator” or “shot caller”, who uses intimidation and/or peer pressure to cause physical or psychological harm to a third person.

14. Hazing Is any method of initiation, pre- initiation or rite of passage associated with actual or desired membership in a student organization or body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution.

15. Hate-Motivated Incident/Crime Bul-2047.0 An act or attempted act which constitutes an expression of hostility against a person, property, or institution because of the target’s real or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender-identity.

16. Cyber Bullying Sending or posting insulting or threatening messages/images by phone, e-mail, web-sites, text message or any other electronic or written communication January 01, 2009 New Education Code: Section 48900 and Section 32261: Suspendable offense with possibility of expulsion for engaging in an act of bullying, including, but not limited to bullying committed by means of an electronic act, as defined in subdivisions (f) and (g) of Section 32261.

17. All Text Messages & Emails are: PERMANENT PUBLIC

18. What are the effects of Bullying? An estimated 160,000 students miss school daily due to fear of being attacked or intimidated.

19. What are the effects of Bullying? Bullies are more likely to commit child abuse and domestic violence as adults.

20. What are the effects of Bullying? 60% of middle school male bullies were convicted of at least one crime as adults

21. What are the effects of Bullying? Two-thirds of school shootings were directly correlated to bullying (U.S. Secret Service & D.O.E. 2002).

22. What are the effects of Bullying? Discipline problems Academic failure Truancy/Drop out School phobia Substance abuse Suicide/suicidal ideations Retaliation and/or other violence

23. Warning signs of being a “Target” Unexplained injuries Refuses to go to school Ripped or torn clothing Missing items Physical complaints Behavior changes: Appears unhappy, anxious, fearful Isolated Loss of interest in things he/she often enjoys

24. Signs that your child may “bully” others Good at talking themselves out of trouble & rationalizing their behavior May have lower grades & poor attitude of school The school or others have complained about his/her behavior

25. Signs that your child may “bully” others Strong need for control & power Easily angered & impulsive Difficulties following standards of behavior Appear to have a “good” self- esteem; over confident

26. H. Priebe-Diaz, Human Relations, Diversity & Equity LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

27. H. Priebe-Diaz, Human Relations, Diversity & Equity Federal Laws Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Race, color, national origin Title IX of the Ed. Amendment of 1972 Sexual harassment (and same sex) Sex discrimination ADA/Section 504 Disability (physical and mental) Equal Protection Clause Civil Rights Act 42 U.S.C. 1983

28. Protected Classes  Sex  Color  Race  Ethnicity  National Origin  Mental/Physical Disability  Religion  Sexual Orientation  Gender Identity/Expression

29. California Constitution Article 1, Section 28 (c) Safe, secure, and peaceful schools for students and staff.

30. Are students protected by the First Amendment to exercise their Freedom of Speech at school?

31. Education Code 48907 Public school students have the right to exercise freedom of speech and the press except when: Expression is obscene, libelous, or slanderous Material incites students to create a clear and present danger to themselves and/or others Violates school regulations Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school

32. Revised Education Code EFFECTIVE: January 01, 2009 Section 48900 and Section 32261: Suspendable offense with possibility of expulsion for engaging in an act of bullying, including, but not limited to bullying committed by means of an electronic act, as defined in subdivisions (f) and (g) of Section 32261.

33. The LAUSD District policy indicates that all “reported” or witnessed incidents of bullying are taken seriously, investigated and is progressive discipline is implemented and monitored. Intervention Strategies by District:

34. 34 A school has the responsibility to respond promptly and effectively knows reasonably should know it action If a school knows or reasonably should know about the harassment or violence that creates a hostile environment, it must take immediate action to eliminate that conduct, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.

36. What parents should do if your child is being targeted? Encourage your child to share the problem Listen objectively Be objective, get the facts Immediately contact the school and ask for assistance Praise & encourage child Document incidents

37. Don’t assume who is at fault or who is to blame. Don’t confront the bully. Don’t encourage aggression as a response. Be a good role model. Don’t ignore the problem!!!

38. Teach Children who are being targeted the following: Take A Stand (when safe) Say: “Stop! That’s not okay…” Say: “ I feel___ when you ___”. Say: “Don’t treat me that way, you wouldn’t want someone doing that to you.” Report: Always report to a school staff person, teachers, principal, counselor, etc. Be Safe: Avoid areas where certain students

39. STUDENTS: What to do you if you are Bullied Tell the person to “Stop!” Report it to the school (Principal, counselor, teacher, etc.) Document!

40. STUDENTS: What to do you if you are Bullied Do not fight back physically. Be proud of who you are. Use “I” statements, to tell the person how you feel. “I feel _____, when you ____”

41. STUDENTS: What to do you if you are Bullied Be strong. Try not show anger or fear. Keep safe. Avoid situations and people where bullying happens. Get involved. Join clubs, organizations, student groups. Start a club or an anti-bullying campaign to promote peace and tolerance.

42. STUDENTS: If you are Cyberbullied… Do NOT respond to the message. Tell your parent or another trusted adult. “Block” and ”Report Abuse” directly with the service provider.

43. STUDENTS: If you are Cyber bullied… You and your parent may contact the school for help. Notify the police if you are being threatened. Never share your personal information or give your password to friends

44. Social Networking If your child is has a social networking site e.g. Facebook, you should have your child’s password and be a “friend” to your child’s website.

45. If my child is accused of bullying others… Listen objectively and gather the facts Make it clear that bullying is not tolerated Have clear rules and consequences

46. If my child is accused of bullying others... Be calm, respectful, and a positive role model Monitor and supervise the child’s activities Teach positive alternative methods of communicating his needs and wants Seek assistance

47. Strategies For Parents To Prevent Cyber-Bullying Set expectations about appropriate use of internet and cellular phone use

48. Strategies For Parents: Cyber-Bullying Keep the computer in an open space in the home, not in the child’s bedroom. Maintain open communication with your child at all times about school life and social networking.

49. Strategies For Parents: Cyberbullying Report the abuse to your service provider (ie. Verizon, ATT) Block the bully Contact law enforcement if threats are made Seek assistance from school

50. Bystanders If you witness bullying: Speak up Stand up against it If your friend(s) are bullying someone, tell them to “stop” Don’t join in Be a “Friend” to someone Don’t leave others “out” Get help from an adult Take action, start or join a school sponsored club to promote respect and safety

52. POSSIBLE STUDENT CONSEQUENCES Immediate Investigation Educational Interventions Progressive Discipline Parent Conference Referral to Counseling and/or to DCFS for child protection services Suspension Expulsion Arrest

53. BULLY Prevention and Intervention Where to begin? Individual Classroom School-Wide Parent/Community EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY!!! 53

54. Additional Resources  http://HumanRelation.lausd.net  www.stopbullying.gov www.stopbullying.gov  www.stopcyberbullying.org www.stopcyberbullying.org  www.teenangels.org www.teenangels.org  www.onguardonline.gov www.onguardonline.gov  www.netsmartzkids.org www.netsmartzkids.org  CA Youth Crisis Hotline (800) 843-5200

55. Thank You Office of Human Relations, Diversity & Equity Judy Chiasson, PhD Holly Priebe-Diaz, MSW 213-241-5337 http://Humanrelations.lausd.net Judy Chiasson, 213-241-5626