Ryan Rickard FRIT 7330 Cyberbullying Assignment Dr.

Downs

Policy One Warwick School District. (2011). Bullying/cyberbullying policy. Retrieved from http://www.warwick.k12.pa.us/orgmodule.php?deptid=107&schoolid=0007&mid=248 The first policy comes from the Warwick School District which is located in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The cyberbullying policy was located on the school s webpage under student services & special education. It starts off with a statement from the board promoting a safe, positive learning climate for all students. They state that all forms of bullying and cyberbullying by students are prohibited and they are subject to appropriate discipline actions. A student who has been bullied or cyber bullied shall report the incident to any staff member. The School District also has a plan to annually inform students that bullying or cyberbullying of students will not be tolerated. The district states that cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another student or staff member by way of any technological tool, such as sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings (including blogs) which has the effect of: 1. Physically, emotionally or mentally harming a student; 2. Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical emotional or mental harm; 3. Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage or loss of personal property; or 4. Creating an intimidating or hostile environment that interferes with a student s educational opportunities. The policy also delegates responsibility for staff members to maintain a bully free environment and students are encouraged to report incidents. Staff members who receive information need to contact an administrator who will investigate the claims. If it meets the definition of cyberbullying, the building principal must complete the appropriate written documentation. This policy has a number of different strengths that it exhibits. The first section states a strong stance against bullying and cyberbullying straight from the board. This policy also does a good job of defining exactly what cyberbullying consists of. Not only does it name the different technologies, but also the effects that a student might display from being cyber bullied. The school board puts a lot of responsibility into the hands of the teachers and other staff members. I also think that it is important that the school principal is required to write the documentation so he or she has an idea of what is going on around the school. The complaint procedure is clear and to the point and avoids having too many hurdles to jump over in order to report an incident. Overall, I felt this document is very well written and clearly states the goals and expectations of the board. This document was very well written and only had a couple weaknesses I could identify. The article stated towards the end that each school would annually address cyberbullying. I would like to see this issue address throughout the year so that it is constantly reminding students about this very serious issue. Also, I think this school district needs to clearly define punishment for students who offend the

policy. With a preliminary statement written, students would know what the consequence would be if they are to become offenders. Policy Two Bristol Public Schools . (2010, September 15). Student-bullying-cyberbullying. Retrieved from http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=5730 The second policy is from the Bristol Public School System located in Bristol, Connecticut. Each school has this policy listed in their website under the Administration tab. The district states that computer networks and the Internet, whether accessed on campus or off campus, during or after school hours, may not be used for the purpose of harassment of any kind. Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or Website postings, including blogs. Any student or community member who believes they have been the victim of cyberbullying is encouraged NOT to delete the offending material. They should print a copy and bring in to the attention of a school administrator. The administrator will fully investigate all reports of cyberbullying. In a situation where the cyberbullying originated from a non-school computer, disciplinary action shall be based upon whether the conduct is determined to be severely disruptive of the educational process so that it markedly interrupts or severely impedes the day-to-day operations of a school. Disciplinary actions may include: loss of computer, detention, suspension, or expulsion for verified perpetrators of cyberbullying. The school district gives a very clear definition on what cyberbullying includes. It gives several examples of misusing school technology. I liked that this school district also mentioned website postings and blogs under their definition. I think that students believe that things they might say or post on Facebook or other social network sites, will not have an effect on what happens at school. The district also posted a statement saying that they understand that sometimes inappropriate material is often disguised (logged on) as someone else. Overall, I felt like this policy was very vague and had multiple holes within it. For starters, the opening sentence gives a very weak and almost confusing stance on cyberbullying. It mentions the computer network and the Internet, but doesn t say anything about mobile devices or other pieces of technology. This policy does not have a clear procedure to report cyberbullying. With the way it is written, administrators would be flooded with bullying reports. I think that teachers in this school district need to play a more important role so they know what is going on inside of their classrooms. The end of the document lists a number of disciplinary actions, but they are very generic and range from detention to expulsion. I would like to see a more defined policy or a statement saying that punishment will be determined on a case by case basis.

Policy Three San Ramon Valley Unified School District , Initials. (2011). District cyberbullying policy. Retrieved from http://www.wrms.srvusd.k12.ca.us/cyberbullying The third policy is from the San Ramon Valley Unified School District located in Danville, California. Each school has the policy located on their website under Student/Parent information. The district begins with the definition of cyberbullying being the use of electronic information and communication devices to willfully and repeatedly harm either a person or persons through the medium of electronic text, photos, or videos. It goes on to list a few examples of cyberbullying. The plan says exactly why cyberbullying is not allowed and that it is a violation of student s right to be safe and secure. The school district list a number of current technologies where cyberbullying might take place and they also say that as new technologies emerge, they too may be included with the above forms of electronic communication. The consequences of harassment and/or cyberbullying are a minimum one day suspension and a maximum penalty of expulsion from school. Administration also has the right to report the cyberbullying or harassment to the police. Finally, the district lists an action plan for students to take in order to respond to cyberbullying. They include to save the evidence and print the online harassing, identify the cyberbully, tell the cyberbully to stop, ignore the bully by blocking communication, file a complaint with the Internet of cell phone company, contact the cyberbully s parents, contact the school administration, and contact the policy. One of the first strengths of this policy is the placement on the school s website. The document is in a location that has a lot of visibility and is very easy to navigate to. It is not hidden under multiple links and directories. Another strength is that the policy starts off with a definition of exactly what they consider to be cyberbullying. They also provide examples to give students and parents a visual of what is illegal. I think that it was very smart for the school district to include the statement at the end of the different types of technology, stating that as new technologies emerge, they too may be included with the above forms of electronic communication. Finally, I like that they have action steps to respond to cyberbullying or harassment, but I do not necessarily agree with the steps. This policy contains many weaknesses that may limit the effectiveness of the document. There is no written statement from the board in regards to their thoughts on cyberbullying. I think that when a statement from the board is made, it shows that they are serious about enforcing the policy from the top down. This policy does not state what the teacher s responsibilities are. It mentions that students need to contact the school administration but it does not list what the teacher s role is. I think the biggest weakness of this plan is the action steps to respond to cyberbullying. It has the right idea but, in my opinion, places to much of the responsibility on the student to handle it themselves. After a certain point, students need to contact their teacher or administrator, rather than trying to do it themselves and possibly furthering the problem.

North Oconee Cyberbullying Policy

The Board strives to provide a safe, positive learning climate for students in the schools. Therefore, it shall be the policy of the School District to maintain an educational environment in which bullying and cyberbullying in any form are not tolerated. - All forms of bullying and cyberbullying by school district students are hereby prohibited. Anyone who engages in bullying or cyberbullying in violation of this Policy shall be subject to appropriate discipline. - Students who have been bullied or cyber bullied shall promptly report such incidents to any staff member. - Complaints of bullying or cyberbullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when a complaint is verified. Neither reprisals nor retaliation shall occur as a result of the submission of a complaint. - The School District shall inform students throughout the year that cyberbullying will NOT be tolerated.

Definition of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is the use of electronic information and communication devices to willfully and repeatedly harm either a person or persons through the medium of electronic text, photos, or videos that has the effect of: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Physically, emotionally or mentally harming a student; Damaging, extorting or taking a students personal property; Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional or mental harm; Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property; or Creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a students educational opportunities.

Bullying of this nature creates a hostile, disruptive environment on the school campus and is a violation of a students right to be safe and secure. Cyberbullying and Harassment will not be tolerated. Actions deliberately threatening, harassing, intimidating an individual or group of individuals, placing an individual in reasonable fear of harm or damaging the individuals property; or disrupting the orderly operation of the school, will not be tolerated. Examples include: Sending false, cruel, vicious messages Creating websites that have stories, cartoons, pictures, and jokes ridiculing others. Breaking into an email account and sending vicious or embarrassing materials to others.

Engaging someone in electronic communication, tricking that person into revealing sensitive personal information and forwarding that information to others. Posting of a student picture without their permission.

Delegation of Responsibility

Each staff member shall be responsible to maintain an educational environment free of bullying and cyberbullying. Each student shall be responsible to respect the rights of his/her fellow students and to ensure an atmosphere free from all forms of bullying and cyberbullying. Students shall be encouraged to report bullying or cyberbullying complaints to any staff member. Any staff member who receives a bullying or cyberbullying complaint shall gather information or seek administrative assistance to determine if bullying or cyberbullying has occurred. If the behavior is found to meet the definition of bullying or cyberbullying, the building principal must complete the appropriate written documentation (see bullying reporting form). The building principal or his/her designee will inform the parents or guardians of the victim and also the parents or guardians of the accused.

Complaint Procedures A student shall report a complaint of bullying or cyberbullying, orally or in writing, to a staff member. If a parent initiates the complaint, the appropriate staff member will follow-up with the student. The staff member will either gather the information or seek administrative assistance to determine if the alleged bullying or cyberbullying conduct occurred. After the information has been gathered, the building principal shall be notified of the complaint. The building principal will determine the need for further investigation or the appropriate intervention, which may result in administrative discipline to ensure that the conduct ceases. If the behavior is found to meet the definition of bullying or cyberbullying, the building principal must complete the appropriate written documentation

Consequences Education Codes strictly prohibit harassment or bullying of any kind and such behavior is subject to the following consequences: o Minimum One day suspension o Maximum School Expulsion If the conduct occurs off school grounds and causes or threatens to cause a substantial disruption at school or interferes with the rights of students to be secure, school administration may impose consequences. The Administration may also report the Cyberbullying or Harassment to the police.