Bullying Information
In Southwest ISD, all students should be treated with respect and kindness in a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment. In an effort to accomplish this culture of inclusiveness we have developed programs and initiatives to accomplish this vision. - SW CARES
- SW CARES HERO
- Restorative Practices
- Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
- Character Education Program
- Social and Emotional Learning
REPORTING
Southwest ISD encourages students to eliminate all types of bullying in our schools and community. Students should immediately report bullying when it is observed or experienced so that school personnel may take appropriate action. Students, parents, staff, and community members who learn of a bullying incident are asked to report it as soon as possible.
Reports may be made by completing and submitting this form. Reports may also be made by directly contacting any campus administrator or district administrator. Eliminating bullying behavior is everyone's responsibility, and your involvement is appreciated.
Alleged Bullying Report Form
To report an instance of bullying using our online reporting tool use this link:
To report an instance of bullying using our online reporting tool use this link:
DEFINITIONSDefinition of Bullying
Bullying is defined as a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that:
1. Occurs on or is delivered to school property or the site of a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property;
2. Occurs on a publicly or privately owned school bus or vehicle being used for transportation of students to or from school or a school-sponsored or school-related activity; and
3. Cyberbullying that occurs off school property or outside of a school-sponsored or school-related activity if the cyberbullying:
• Interferes with a student’s educational opportunities; or
• Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a classroom, school, or school-sponsored or school-related activity,
and that:
1. Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property;
2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student;
3. Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school; or
4. Infringes on the rights of the victim at school;
1. Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property;
2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student;
3. Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school; or
4. Infringes on the rights of the victim at school;
and includes cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying means bullying that is done through the use of any electronic communication device, including through the use of a cellular or other type of telephone, a computer, a camera, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, a social media application, an Internet website, or any other Internet-based communication tool.
Cyberbullying means bullying that is done through the use of any electronic communication device, including through the use of a cellular or other type of telephone, a computer, a camera, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, a social media application, an Internet website, or any other Internet-based communication tool.
CONFLICTS VS. BULLYING
During a conflict, name-calling, threats and other conduct that might look like bullying can occur. However, conflict and bullying are very different.Unlike bullying, during a conflict people are equally involved in some type of disagreement. Conflict is considered mutual, meaning everyone is more or less evenly involved.
Bullying, on the other hand, involves one or several people (the bullies) intentionally committing a mean or violent act against another person(s) or group of people (the victims). When bullying occurs, there is no mutual participation in a disagreement; it is one-sided. Bullying victims have a hard time defending themselves. The victims want the bullying to stop, but the bully continues the behavior.
Conflicts and bullying can interrupt the school day, damage property and cause injuries to the people involved. However, when the behavior involves a conflict, the school will take action based on the student code of conduct.
BULLYING RESOURCES
TEA
David's Legacy
Texas State School Safety Center
https://txssc.txstate.edu/videos/bully-prevention/
Provides information from various government agencies on how kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators and others in the community can prevent or stop bullying.
Pacer National Bullying Prevention Center
RIGHTS & POLICIES
Your Right to File a Complaint
The policy of Southwest ISD is that all students be free from bullying and sexual harassment, including violence in students’ relationships. All charges of bullying, sexual harassment, and dating violence are to be taken seriously by students, faculty, staff and administration members and parents. The district will make every reasonable effort to handle and respond to every charge and complaint filed by students and employees in a fair, thorough, and just manner. Every reasonable effort will be made to protect the due process rights of all targets and all alleged offenders.
Instructions: Use the district form to report bullying (including cyberbullying), sexual harassment and dating violence so that school officials may investigate and take appropriate steps to increase your safety. Complete the form, providing as much detailed information as possible, so that the complaint may be properly investigated.
It is important that you report the facts as accurately and completely as possible and that you cooperate fully with the persons designated to investigate the complaint. Complaints may also be directly reported to any campus administrator.
Where to file: Complaint forms will be available from any counselor or administrator. You may also access the form using the link below. In addition, complaints can be made using our online reporting tool. Once completed, the principal or designee will handle all complaints.
Confidentiality: To conduct this investigation in a confidential manner, the school will disclose the contents of your complaint only to those persons who have a need to know about your complaint. In signing the complaint form, you authorize the school to disclose, as needed, the information you have provided, and may in the future provide, regarding your complaint. Your complaint form will not be shown to the accused student.
Alleged Bullying Reporting Form
Retaliation prohibited: Retaliation against a student who files a formal complaint is strictly prohibited including but not limited to detention, Saturday school, or community service. Retaliation against a student is grounds for disciplinary action.
POLICIES