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Whitmore Union Elementary School

Empowering Students - Embracing Learning - Exploring Potential
Whitmore Union Elementary School
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https://www.wujesd.org/Student--Parent-Resources/Health--Wellness/

Health & Wellness

Bullying prevention

Bullying prevention

  • WHAT IS BULLYING
     
    Bullying is an aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power between individuals with the intent to cause emotional or physical harm. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social/relational and may involve a single severe act or repetition or potential repetition of a deliberate act. Bullying includes, but is not limited to, any act described in Education Code 48900(r).

    Cyberbullying includes the electronic creation or transmission of harassing communications, direct threats, or other harmful texts, sounds, or images. Cyberbullying also includes breaking into another person's electronic account or assuming that person's online identity in order to damage that person's reputation.

    Examples of the types of conduct that may constitute bullying and are prohibited by the district include, but are not limited to:
    • Physical bullying: An act that inflicts harm upon a person's body or possessions, such as hitting, kicking, pinching, spitting, tripping, pushing, taking or breaking someone's possessions, or making cruel or rude hand gestures
       
    • Verbal bullying: An act that includes saying or writing hurtful things, such as teasing, name-calling, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting, or threats to cause harm
       
    • Social/relational bullying: An act that harms a person's reputation or relationships, such as leaving a person out of an activity on purpose, influencing others not to be friends with someone, spreading rumors, or embarrassing someone in public
       
    • Cyberbullying: An act such as sending demeaning or hateful text messages or emails, spreading rumors by email or by posting on social networking sites, or posting or sharing embarrassing photos, videos, web site, or fake profiles
Internet safety and cyberbullying

Internet safety and cyberbullying

Cyberbullying - The Dark Side of Technology
 
Most of us remain connected via social media platforms and by text on our mobile devices, and this is almost a default method of communication for teenagers in particular.  The dark side of this technological evolution is when these mediums are used as a way of targeting someone for abuse and bullying them, maybe with threats or unpleasant messages and images.
 
Cyberbullying is a  major issue that needs to be understood and eradicated where possible, especially when you consider that over 30% of 11-15 year olds have reported being the victim of cyberbullying.  How many more are subjected to this dark side of technology, but simply don't report it?
 
Throughout all of our classrooms, we are vigilant about the safe use of the internet.  Each year, we teach students to be cautious and to be wise when interacting online.  Kids are kids, and parents and school officials alike know that children can, at times, be cruel to one another.  They may say things today that they wish they could take back tomorrow.  They may use their cell phones or other digital technology to call each other names, say nasty things, threaten, or make others feel uncomfortable.  When they repeatedly send or post harmful or mean messages, images, or videos about someone else, that's called Cyberbullying, and it's not acceptable.  
 
As a district, all of our employees take cyberbullying very seriously.  If students are engaging in cyberbullying, they will be disciplined according to school discipline policy.
 
Manners Matter
 
We encourage you to talk with your children about bullying and cyberbullying.  Model for your children appropriate email, social media, and telephone manners.  Point out that it is important to stick up for one another.  Explain ways they can support friends who are being bullied and how to report bullying incidents they may see online.