Arizona Middle School

Anti-Bullying Policy/Procedures

Arizona Middle School is committed to preventing and putting an end to bullying. Bullying is defined as "any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act, and including one or more acts committed by a pupil or group of pupils directed toward one or more pupils that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of causing a reasonable pupil to experience a substantially detrimental effect on the pupil's physical or mental health, academic performance, or ability to participate in school activities."

At Arizona Middle School bullying will not be tolerated. Administrators, counselors, teachers, and staff work together every day to create a positive, fun, and safe learning environment for all students.

Components of bullying:

• Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves negative actions
• Bullying is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.
• Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength

Types of bullying:

• Verbal bullying including derogatory comments and bad names
• Bullying through social exclusion or isolation
• Physical bullying such as hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting
• Bullying through lies and false rumors
• Having money or other things taken or damaged by students who bully
• Being threatened or being forced to do things by students who bully
• Racial bullying
• Sexual bullying
• Cyber bullying (via cell phone or Internet)

Our Protocol is as follows:

• Alvord Unified School District prohibits bullying (Board Policy 5131) . This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on the actual or perceived characteristics set forth in Penal Code section 422.55 and Education Code section 220; and, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Bullying is defined in Education Code section 48900(r).
• All students and staff will be educated on Bullying Prevention by the counselors. They will learn what bullying is, who can be a bully, and what can be done when bullying is happening to them or to their peers.
• School personnel must immediately intervene if they witness an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying, provided it is safe to do so.
• Acts of discrimination or bullying should immediately be brought to the attention of the Principal or Assistant Principal.
• Anyone may report bullying (the report can be anonymous).
• Complaints of bullying or discrimination will be considered confidential. However, it may be necessary to disclose certain information in order to effectively investigate.
• The Alvord Unified School District prohibits retaliation against individuals who make complaints of bullying or provide information related to such complaints.

Ways parents or students can report bullying at Arizona Middle School:

1. Use the QR Code, “See Something, Say Something”
   1. (Click Here to Report Bullying through the "See Something, Say Something")
      1. Once submitted an Administrator will begin the investigation.
2. Fill out the Bullying/Harassment Complaint Form
   1. (Click Here to view the English Bullying/Harrassment Complaint Form)
   2. (Formulario Para Reportar Quejas De Acoso Escolar 'Bullying')
      1. Print out the Form and turn it in to the Principal or Assistant Principal.
      2. Once turned in, an Administrator will begin the investigation.
3. Come directly to the office and speak to the Principal or Assistant Principal
4. Tell a teacher or counselor (Teacher or counselor will report all incidents to administration)

Once the Bullying is reported:

• Administration will take immediate action on bullying. When bullying is reported an investigation process will immediately begin.
• Appropriate consequences depending on the severity will be given to those individuals involved, such as a warning, counseling, detention, suspension, and/or expulsion.
• Due process will be provided.