Twin Rivers - Bullying

Home

Students/Families

Parent Resources

Bullying

the word bullying being erased by a heart-shaped eraser

Bullying is defined as a physical or verbal act(s) that is severe or pervasive AND causes one of the following effects on a reasonable student:

Reasonable fear of harm to person or property.
Substantially detrimental effect on physical or mental health.
Substantial interference with academic performance.
Substantial interference with the ability to participate in or benefit from school services, activities, or privileges.

School staff who witness bullying shall immediately intervene to stop the incident and investigate the incident when it is safe to do so. Any student, parent, or guardian who believes that the sutdent has been subjected to bullying may file a written complaint.

Types of Bullying

Bullying can be manifested in a variety of forms that include, but are not limited to, the following:

Cyberbullying is bullying by electronic act, which includes transmission of a communication by text, sound, image, video, message, website post, social network activity, or other form of communication sent by an electronic device (Ed. Code 32261 (g)).
Verbal bullying includes hurtful gossiping, making rude noises, making threats, name-calling, spreading rumors, or teasing.
Physical bullying includes intentional, unwelcome acts of beating, biting, fighting, hitting, kicking, poking, punching, pushing, shoving, spitting, or tripping.
Social or relational bullying includes spreading rumors, manipulating relationships, exclusion, blackmailing, isolating, rejecting, using peer pressure and ranking personal characteristics.
Non-verbal bullying includes the use of threatening gestures, staring, stalking, graffiti or graphic images, and destruction of property to cause distress, intimidation, discomfort, pain or humiliation.
Indirect bullying is the use of intimidation or peer pressure to cause harm to a third part(ies).

Bullying Warning Signs

There are several warning signs that could indicate that your child is experiencing bullying at school. Please be on the alert for:

An unexpected drop in grades and/or interest
Unusual moodiness, depression, anxiety, or crying
Frequent headaches or stomach aches
Loss of appetite or Trouble sleeping
Damaged or missing clothing, books, or other belongings
Unexpected bruises, cuts or scratches
Few or no friends to spend time with
Fear of going to school, riding the bus or walking to school
Taking an illogical or long route home

Bullying Resources

Bullying Policies

Hazing

Hazing is defined as any method of initiation, pre-initiation, or rite of passage associated with actual or desired membership in a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily, injury, personal degradation or disgrace that result in physical or psychological harm. Hazing typically, but not exclusively, involves newer members showing subservience to existing members and shall be reported to the administrator of the school and/or adviser of that student body activity.

Cyberbullying and Social Media Safety

Is Your Child Safe Online?

Did you know…

95% of adolescents in the U.S. are online
60% of them have witnessed online bullying (cyberbullying).

Help stop cyberbullying – monitor your child’s use of social media.

What can parents and caregivers do to protect their students on social media?

Be on the same apps as your children. If your kids use Snapchat, Instagram, etc, set up an account, spend time on the app, have them teach you how it works, get familiar with where private messaging happens on the app, and monitor them regularly. Also be aware of “fake” accounts – many youth will have one account that they allow family to monitor and another that is just for friends. You will always be the best tool for keeping your kids safe
Talk to your children and remind them that they do not need “honest” feedback from strangers
Teach your children to avoid gossiping both offline and online – even if they are “anonymous”
Discuss the dangers of anonymous apps and how they can have an impact on real life
Follow our suggestions to help your child prepare for the responsibility of being on social media:
- Ages 0-13: Private
- Ages 13: Have a family discussion regarding what should go public
- Age 14-15: Build a personal website and post positive volunteer photos (and accomplishments/projects) online
- Age 17: Colleges should be able to find a positive online footprint for your student

Minimum Age Requirements for Various Social Media Platforms:

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Kik, and Snapchat: 13 years old
LinkedIn: 14 years old
WhatsApp: 16 years old
Vine and Tinder: 17 years old.

Some platforms, such as YouTube, WeChat and Kik, have a minimum age required of 18, although kids aged 13-17 can sign up with parent’s permission.