Bullying

There are five basic methods used for bullying

1. Physical aggression
2. Verbal aggression
3. Written aggression
4. Cyberbullying (bullying through the use of internet or mobile devices)
5. Social bullying

If you are not sure whether an incident that has occurred is bullying, please call your campus administrator and discuss the matter. They will be glad to assist you.

 If you wish to report bullying, please click on the button below.

TO REPORT BULLYING CLICK HERE

Cyberbullying is when a child (preteen or teen) is targeted by another child (preteen or teen) using the Internet, interactive/digital technologies or mobile devices. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been started by a minor against another minor.

Awareness of cyberbullying has risen in recent years as the access to social media has increased along with technologies being more readily available to students that include greater texting and data sharing capabilities. Please monitor your child's texting and photo sharing habits. As well, help teach them to guard against placing any inappropriate messages on social media sites or revealing personal information whenever on the Internet.

Bullying occurs when a student or group of students engage in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that occurs on school property, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, or in a vehicle operated by the District 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; or
2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.

Magnolia ISD considers a situation bullying if the following two criteria are met:

1. Exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator and the student victim through written or verbal expression or physical conduct; and
2. Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.

Magnolia ISD Policy FFI (Local)

This is not a complete list of all internet resources nor are these resources affiliated with Magnolia ISD. However, this is a sampling of parental materials available on the internet to help your children. Please click on them below as you search for valuable information to arm your child against bullying behavior.

Bullies Be Gone

Connect Safely

Education World

Safe Kids

Stop Bullying

Teens Against Bullying

Stop Cyberbullying

Magnolia ISD prohibits retaliation by a student or District employee against any person who in good faith makes a report of bullying, serves as a witness, or participates in an investigation.

If you believe retaliation has occurred, please contact your campus administrator immediately.

Student strategies to prevent bullying

• Choose to not participate in bullying behaviors.
• Report any incidence of bullying to a teacher, administrator, or counselor.
• Practice skills and strategies to take a stand.
• Encourage your friends and classmates to take a stand against any bullying they observe.
• Take an individual stand.
• Be friendly toward another student that is a target of bullying.
• Be a friend to new or needy students.
• If you hear bullying, change the conversation or help the student being bullied walk away from the situation.

 

 Student strategies if you are being bullied

• Walk away with confidence, even though you may not be feeling it at the moment.
• Be calm.
• Tell the bully to stop.
• Use appropriate language.
• Do NOT argue or fight back.
• Have friends around and stay in safe places.
• Tell a responsible adult that you trust (parent, teacher, counselor, or administrator).
• Keep telling until the bullying behavior stops.

 

Parent strategies to prevent bullying

• Teach your children to respect others and their differences.
• Model respectful behavior.
• Use the "teachable moments". When watching TV, or witnessing an event in public that is clearly bullying, talk to your child about that incident. "How would you feel?" "What could you have done?" "Why is this not a good (nice) way to behave?"
• Let your child know that inexcusable behavior by others (other children or even adults) is NOT an excuse for their bad behavior.
• Teach empathy. "How do you think that person feels?" "Why?" "Would you want someone to treat you or members of your family or your friends that way?"
• Talk with your child about what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior when using communication and information technologies.
• Be aware of your child's time on the computer and cell phone and the web sites he/she visits.

 

If your child is being bullied...

• Help him/her learn coping skills.
• Alert the school if it is happening on campus.
• Continue to monitor what is happening.
• Help your child understand the need to tell.
• Don't let fear of retaliation keep you from reporting any incident.

Examples of bullying may include hazing, threats, taunting, teasing, confinement, assault, demands for money, destruction of property, theft of valued possessions, name calling, rumor spreading, or ostracism.

A bullying report may be made orally to an administrator, in written correspondence (note, email, or letter), or through the written report form provided at the bottom of this page.  An administrator will place this report into a written form if the report is given orally.  An investigation will be conducted into the allegations which will include dialoguing with the parties involved.  An administrator will take action to prevent further bullying during the course of the investigation. 

Confidentiality will be maintained to the greatest extent possible.  However, please be aware that limited disclosures may be necessary in order to conduct a thorough investigation.

FERPA prevents school officials from discussing other students with parents.  Information about other student's consequences may not be disclosed.  However, to the greatest extent possible, school administration will relay the outcome of the investigation.  All parents of the students directly involved (the victim of bullying or the perpetrator of the bullying) will be notified of the investigation's results.  Appropriate consequences, training, conflict resolutions, counseling and so forth will be discussed at that time.

A written report will be submitted by the investigating administrator to the Educational Support Center explaining the outcome and determination of the investigation.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the process of an investigation, please contact your campus principal.

Magnolia ISD has added a new communications tool called Anonymous Alerts® at our junior high and high school campuses, allowing our students and parents to quickly, easily, and anonymously report urgent information to school officials. The system empowers students to report bullying, drug use or other personal safety concerns through private messages sent on their mobile and computer Internet-enabled devices.

All reports are completely anonymous and will be sent directly to school administrators, although students have the option to reveal their identity if they prefer to have a person-to-person discussion.

How do I place an incident report from Internet-connected computers/tablets?

• Click on the following link: https://www.anonymousalerts.com/magnoliaisd 

How do I place a report from an iPhone or Android phone?

• Download the free Anonymous Alerts app from Apple IOS or Android App.
•  After downloading the app, the setup/login is magnoliaisd and the password is magnoliaisd