Bullying & Cyberbullying

Bullying:

Bullying, including cyberbullying, is defined as intimidation, hazing or initiation activity, ridicule, extortion, or any other verbal, written, or physical conduct that causes or threatens to cause bodily harm or emotional suffering. "Cyberbullying" includes the transmission of communications, posting of harassing messages, direct threats, social cruelty, or other harmful texts, sounds, or images on the Internet, social networking sites, or other digital technologies using a telephone, computer, or any wireless communication device. Cyberbullying also includes breaking into another person's electronic account and assuming that person's identity in order to damage that person's reputation or friendships.

Amargosa Creek Middle School desires to prevent bullying by establishing a positive, collaborative school climate and clear rules for student conduct.

Students may submit a verbal or written complaint of conduct they consider to be bullying to a teacher, administrator, counselor or school psychologist and may also request that their name be kept in confidence. The Principal or designee may establish other processes for students to submit anonymous reports of bullying. Complaints of bullying or harassment shall be investigated and resolved in accordance with our district policy.

Cyberbullying:

When a student is suspected of or reported to be using electronic or digital communications to engage in cyberbullying against other students or staff or to threaten school property, the investigation shall include documentation of the activity, identification of the source, and a determination of the impact or potential impact on school activity or school attendance.

Students shall be encouraged to save and print any messages sent to them that they feel constitute cyberbullying and to notify a teacher, the principal, or other employee so that the matter may be investigated.

Any student who engages in cyberbullying using district-owned equipment, on school premises, or off-campus in a manner that impacts a school activity or school attendance shall be subject to discipline in accordance with school policies and regulations. If the student is using a social networking site or service that has terms of use that prohibit posting of harmful material, the Principal or designee also may file a complaint with the Internet site or service to have the material removed. (BP 5131)

Additional resources on bullying can be found on the California Department of Education website at

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/se/bullyres.asp