1. Dress Code Issues/Reminders:
Shorts/Skirts – Mid-thigh in length (not fingertips)
Spaghetti straps, tank tops not allowed
Shirts/blouses should cover undergarments; we don’t want to see straps
No athletic shorts – period!
T-shirts/clothing should not have inappropriate words or references to sex, alcohol or drugs

2. Some Safety Issues: Only 4 doors unlocked/monitored before school
Do Not let strangers in locked doors! They must enter through a monitored door. Think safety!
Know the evacuation plan – students report to their advisory teachers on the field.
Know what to do in other situations: Lockdown, Severe Weather Evacuation, etc.

3. Highland Park Middle School 2013-2014
A Respectful School
Highland Park Middle School

4. Objectives
Review school expectations about put- downs and bully prevention
Understand how to build a respectful school climate

5. Respect (from the dictionary)
Respect is…
…showing high regard for an authority, other people, self and country
…treating others as you would want to be treated
…understanding that all people have value as human beings

6. No Put Down Policy From the Student Handbook (Agenda Book):
Verbal or non-verbal negative expressions for the purpose of making someone feel inferior
Put Downs are not tolerated
Classroom Behavior – Teachers Domain
Hallways/Cafeteria – can be a problem

7. Bullying – Definition:
When a student or group of students engages in:
Written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means or physical conduct that occurs:
On school property,
At a school sponsored or related event,
Or in a vehicle operated by the school, And …

8. Bullying – Definition:
The HPISD School Board or Administrators determines that the behavior:
Has the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing the student in reasonable fear of harm to person or property, or
Is sufficiently severe, persistent and pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment.

9. Bullying - Definition This conduct is considered bullying if it:
Exploits an imbalance of power between the student engaging in bullying and the victim through written or verbal expression or physical conduct, and
Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.

10. What is Bullying? Key Concepts:
Written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means or physical conduct,
Has the effect of causing physical harm, damaging property, or causing fear of harm,
Is severe, persistent and pervasive enough that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment
Exploits an imbalance of power, and
Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.

11. Bullying Examples Verbal aggression Name calling Teasing Threatening
Social aggression
Spreading rumors
Exclusion from a group
Facebook Posts
Instagram
Physical aggression
Hitting
Kicking
Destroying property
Intimidation
Graffiti
Dirty tricks
Note writing
Texting

12. Cyber-Bullying
Use of an electronic communication device(s) to engage in bullying or to threaten students, teachers, volunteers, etc.
Includes posts, texts, messages, Instagram, etc., that are harassing, threatening, obscene or damaging someone’s reputation.

13. Cyber-Bullying Actions occur on or off school property
Key phrase: “Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.”
Thus it creates an intimidating or threatening environment.

14. Cyber-Safety
Remember: When you post something or hit “Send,” it is Public and Permanent!
Pictures, FB posts, etc. Think before you “Send!”

15. Reporting Bullying
Bullying is not tolerated by the district and any student or parent who believes that a student has experienced bullying or that a student has engaged in bullying is encouraged to immediately report the incident. 
Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of district policy and is prohibited.
Students or parents may report an alleged incident of bullying, orally or in writing, to a teacher, counselor, principal or other district employee. 
More information about the district’s bullying policy can be found in the campus administration office or school board policies FFI(LEGAL) and FFI(LOCAL) at

16. Sexual Harassment
Comments or actions of a sexual nature which are unwelcome and make the recipient uncomfortable
Coerced, unethical, and unwanted intimacy
Comments or actions are repetitive; creating an intimidating/threatening environment

17. Sexual Harassment Examples
Rude sounds
Whistling suggestively
Jokes about sex
Gestures
Graffiti
Unwelcome physical contact

18. Have you ever been a… ? (Please don’t raise your hand!)
Victim or Target
Bully
Bystander

19. What is a bystander? Not actively involved as a bully or target
Remain silent or inactive when bullying occurs
Aware of bullying, but unable or unwilling to take action

20. Why do people “stand by”?
Don’t know what to do
Afraid of retaliation
Afraid to make the situation worse

21. Consequences for bystanders: How does the bystander feel?
Anxiety and guilt
Loss of self-respect and self-confidence
Desensitized to negative behaviors, diminished empathy for others

22. Be A Courageous Bystander!
Don’t be part of the “Silent Majority”
All it takes sometimes is ONE PERSON
Take responsibility for creating safe and respectful school
“Lend A Hand” to the Target (an acronym/things to do to help the victim)

23. Courageous Bystander:
Let bully know it’s not okay
(Show) Empathy to the Target
Never bully back
Distract the bully – make conversation with the bully

24. Courageous Bystander Ask an adult for help
Hang out with the target; let them know you care
Ask the target to join your group

25. Courageous Bystander
Never cheer the bully on, laugh, encourage or stand around and watch
Don’t ignore the bullying; it will only get worse
“Lend A Hand”

26. If you’re bullied: “Take a Stand”
An acronym for the target/things he/she can do:
Tell an adult – parent, teacher, counselor, administrator
Agree with the bully - use sarcasm: “Thank you; Thanks for sharing”
Keep friends close; walking the halls
Emotions – share, don’t bully back

27. If bullied or targeted.…….
Avoid the bully – walk a different route
Stand up for yourself – “Leave me alone; Stop making fun of me; That’s not funny.”
Talk to someone about how you feel – Counselor, safe adult, friends, parents

28. If bullied or targeted……..
Ask the bully questions – “Why are you doing that?”
Never bully back – but be assertive
Don’t show fear – but show that you can be confident/assertive

29. Don’t be a victim…
Don’t laugh it off if it offends you. This sends the wrong message.
Don’t hesitate to tell your teacher, counselor, principal, and/or parents.
Don’t ignore the situation. This can lead to a cycle of ongoing harassment and victimization.
Harassment is not your fault!

30. Our Goal – To Build A Respectful School
Respect between peers
Respect between students and teachers
Respect for our school traditions