Bullying Prevention

What is Bullying

  • Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Additionally, the behavior is repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time.

    In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:
    • Repetition - The behaviors are repeated over time.
    • Intention - The bully intends to hurt the target.
    • Power - The behavior involves an imbalance of power or strength between the bully and the target
    Bullying may take many forms
    • Physical = hitting or punching
    • Verbal = teasing or name calling 
    • Non-verbal = intimidation, using gestures or social exclusion 
    • Cyberbullying = sending or sharing insulting messages by text, email, or via social media
    What does not constitute bullying?

    • Simply disliking someone - It is important to remember that while you may not like everyone, everyone deserves respect

    • Arguing - We are not always going to agree on everything, but unless a power imbalance exists, and an argument is on going, an argument  does not constitute bullying 

    • Isolated acts of harassment- Aggressive behaviors, intimidation or meanness on their own are not bullying. Even though bullying and harassment go hand in hand, not all harassment is bullying or vice versa. So unless the behavior is severn in its harm, a single incident does not typically constitute bullying.

    CVUSD recognizes the harmful effects of bullying on student learning and school attendance and desires to provide safe school environments that protect students from physical and emotional harm. District employees shall establish student safety as a high priority and shall not tolerate bullying of any student.

PREVENTING BULLYING

  • CVUSD schools focus on the prevention of bullying by establishing clear rules for student conduct and implementing strategies to promote a positive, collaborative school climate.  As appropriate, the district shall provide students with instruction, in the classroom or other educational settings, that promotes effective communication and conflict resolution skills, social skills, character/values education, respect for cultural and individual differences, self-esteem development, assertiveness skills, and appropriate online behavior.

BULLYING INVESTIGATION AND INTERVENTION

  • CVUSD has a bullying investigation process that includes:

    • Establishing immediate safety
    • Interviewing the alleged victim and/or witnesses
    • Determining further investigation
    • Conducting additional interviews with witnesses
    • Interviewing alleged responsible parties
    • Strategic intervention plan including
    • Family notification
    • Recording of event in Q

    Individuals investigating a possible bullying incident can use the Target or Witness Interview form to address this issue.

    CVUSD Governing Board Policy on bullying intervention, reporting, investigation, and discipline can be found at

How do these expectations support the 8 Promises?

  • communicate positively build relationships support one another
    Communicate Positively Build Relationships Support One Another
    Our written and spoken communication starts with kindness. We listen fully, assume positive intentions and earn trust.  We build healthy relationships and care for others. We treat others with courtesy, respect, and dignity.  We are kind and show empathy. We listen and ask questions when our friends are in need.

What resources does your school site have to support Expectations for Student Success?