Bullying & Cyberbullying Prevention

Bullying Prevention Info

OUSD BP 5145.3 Nondiscrimination/Harassment

“The Board desires to prevent bullying by establishing a positive, collaborative school climate and clear rules for student conduct.”

The Oceanside Unified School District believes that all students have the right to be educated in a positive learning environment free from disruptions.  “No student shall be subject to harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyberbullying while on school grounds, going to or from school, using school transportation, (or) at any school sponsored activity.”
Most children have an innate desire to feel that they belong and are accepted by their peers.  The District supports the preservation of dignity for all in a safe and positive learning environment.

Victims

It can be very upsetting to find out your child has been a victim of bullying.  Parents can help their student these ways:

• Listen carefully to your student’s complaint of the bullying event
• Assist or have your student write down the details of the incident – including identifying the offenders, if possible
• Make an appointment to meet with a teacher, counselor or school administrator to report the incident
• Work with your school staff and your student to find solutions to manage and resolve bullying situations
   

Helping Your Student

• Encourage your student to make friends. Join a club, try out for a team, band, choir, drama, etc. Being part of a team with a group of friends can help build your student’s confidence and self-esteem and may make it more difficult to be singled out for bullying
• Avoid being alone in areas where bullying has taken place. Students may find open classrooms or visit libraries during lunch and other times, where they may be near an adult
• Help your child cope with difficulties by listening to their concerns, asking them to suggest ideas that might help, and talking about their positive strengths and qualities, so that they can be part of the solution to help deal with difficult situations

Bullies Need Help, Too

Studies have found that bullies may have social or home issues that have encouraged bullying behavior.  Children that bully may have feelings of insecurity that lead to a desire for a position of power.  They may believe that intimidating or hurting others can impart that feeling of power.  They may have come from home situations where they witnessed or were victims of bullying themselves.

• The District provides instruction that promotes communication, social, and empathetic behavior skills
• It’s important to identify students who engage in bullying so students may receive counseling and intervention to assist them in attaining social and academic success
• The District has resources available to help At-Promise students and their families
• Early intervention and redirection can help students to avoid disciplinary consequences and disruption of academic opportunities
      

Cyberbullying & Sexting

“When a student is suspected of or reported to be using electronic or digital communications to engage in cyberbullying and/or sexting against other students or staff,”…(that student) “shall be subject to discipline in accordance with district policies and regulations.”

Cyberbullying has often had a devastating effect on the victims – acts of violence (shootings) or suicides have been linked to cyberbullying.  These include messages that are hateful, threatening, or contain harmful matter with an intent to seduce, and may include the use of cameras or other electronic devices.

Students often feel their messages are personal and anonymous because a malicious text may be created in an isolated, private environment.  However, the reality couldn’t be more different – the messages are easily shared and read by vast recipients who may be deeply affected by what’s written.  The offending author may send a hurtful message electronically that they would never consider saying in a face to face encounter.

Similarly, students may become victims of sexual predators or risk humiliating invasion of their privacy when they are enticed to engage in “sexting” or sending explicit photographs of themselves via digital media.  Again, a false sense of privacy can mislead students into thinking that their personal photos will remain confidential and secure. Sexual predators often pose as teenagers and develop “friendly” correspondence which will escalate to pressure on students to post nude or compromising photos of themselves online.  These predators may use blackmail and threaten to expose the pictures to family or the public.  Other times, relationships gone sour may result in vindictive posts that blast these revealing photographs to punish and humiliate.

Additional Information on Restorative Practices

Restorative Practices are ways of pro-actively developing relationships and community, as well as repairing community when harm is done. After conflict or harm, Restorative Practices provide a way of thinking about, talking about, and responding to issues and problems by involving all participants to discuss their feelings and opinions, identify what happened, describe how it affected everyone, and find solutions to make things better. For the last three years, OUSD has worked with school sites including administrators, counselors, teachers, and staff (with over 500 staff trained) to introduce Restorative Practices with a belief that when successfully integrated throughout the school environment and/or department, Restorative Practices create safe and productive learning and work spaces where people develop social emotional skills, strong relationships, and effective problem solving skills.

Resources

Oceanside Unified School District (OUSD) has adopted Board Policies and Regulations that govern student behavior.  The district also provides periodic parent trainings throughout the year.

Each OUSD school site has a Safe School Plan with information and policies.

The Student/Parent handbook, which is printed in both English and Spanish, has a section on Student Conduct. Copies are available at site offices or at ESS (Educational Support Services).

The California Department of Education website has a section on “Bullying Prevention Training & Resources”, “Frequently Asked Questions” and other related articles.