Bullying Definition

Smyer ISD prohibits bullying on school property and at school-sponsored events. Smyer ISD is committed to protecting students from bullying, harassment, or discrimination for any reason and of any type. Smyer ISD believes that all students are entitled to a safe and equitable school experience. Bullying or harassment will not be tolerated by the district, and any student or parent of a student who believes that the student or another student has experienced bullying, or that a student has engaged in bullying, is encouraged to immediately report the incident. A substantiated complaint against a student will result in disciplinary action, according to the nature of the offense. Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of district policy and is prohibited. Bullying may be verbal or written expression, through electronic means, or physical conduct. Bullying occurs when a student or group of students inflicts physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students. It is further defined as direct purposeful written, verbal, nonverbal, physical behavior, including but not limited to any threatening, insulting or dehumanizing gesture that has the potential to create an intimidating, unfriendly or abusive educational environment; cause long term damage; cause discomfort or humiliation; results in harm to the student or the student’s property; places a student in fear or harm to himself/herself or his/her property; or unreasonably interferes with the student’s school performance or participation, is carried out repeatedly and is often characterized by an imbalance of power. Bullying may involve, but is not limited to: unwanted teasing, threats, intimidation, stalking, Cyberbullying (texting, cell phones, websites, etc.), physical violence, theft, sexual, religious, or racial harassment, public humiliation (rumors or spreading gossip), destruction of school or personal property, or social exclusion. Students or parents are encouraged to report an alleged incident of bullying orally and in writing, to a teacher, counselor or principal. At that time the appropriate campus administrator will follow up on the reported incident/complaint and any other matters pertaining to the complaint. Smyer ISD encourages parents to communicate with their child’s campus principal during this time.