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California Education Code 48900(r): Engaged in an act of bullying.  

 

For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:

“Bullying” means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act, and including one or more acts committed by a pupil or group of pupils as defined in Section 48900.2, 48900.3, or 48900.4, directed toward one or more pupils that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

(A) Placing a reasonable pupil or pupils in fear of harm to that pupil’s or those pupils’ person or property.

(B) Causing a reasonable pupil to experience a substantially detrimental effect on his or her physical or mental health.

(C) Causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her academic performance.

(D) Causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

 

(2) (A) “Electronic act” means the creation or transmission originated on or off the school site, by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, wireless telephone, or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager, of a communication, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

 

(i) A message, text, sound, video, or image.

(ii) A post on a social network Internet Web site, including, but not limited to:

(I) Posting to or creating a burn page. “Burn page” means an Internet Web site created for the purpose of having one or more of the effects listed in paragraph (1).

(II) Creating a credible impersonation of another actual pupil for the purpose of having one or more of the effects listed in paragraph (1). “Credible impersonation” means to knowingly and without consent impersonate a pupil for the purpose of bullying the pupil and such that another pupil would reasonably believe, or has reasonably believed, that the pupil was or is the pupil who was impersonated.

(III) Creating a false profile for the purpose of having one or more of the effects listed in paragraph (1). “False profile” means a profile of a fictitious pupil or a profile using the likeness or attributes of an actual pupil other than the pupil who created the false profile.

(iii)(I) An act of cyber sexual bullying.

(II) For purposes of this clause, “cyber sexual bullying” means the dissemination of, or the solicitation or incitement to disseminate, a photograph or other visual recording by a pupil to another pupil or to school personnel by means of an electronic act that has or can be reasonably predicted to have one or more of the effects described in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of paragraph (1). A photograph or other visual recording, as described above, shall include the depiction of a nude, semi-nude, or sexually explicit photograph or other visual recording of a minor where the minor is identifiable from the photograph, visual recording, or other electronic act.

(III) For purposes of this clause, “cyber sexual bullying” does not include a depiction, portrayal, or image that has any serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value or that involves athletic events or school-sanctioned activities. (B) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) and subparagraph (A), an electronic act shall not constitute pervasive conduct solely on the basis that it has been transmitted on the Internet or is currently posted on the Internet. (3) “Reasonable pupil” means a pupil, including, but not limited to, an exceptional needs pupil, who exercises average care, skill, and judgment in conduct for a person of his or her age, or for a person of his or her age with his or her exceptional needs. ASA Charter School Bullying policies, and California Education Code Section 48900(r) address cyberbullying and social media bullying. Forums for social media bullying include:

(A) Internet websites with free registration and ease of registration.

(B) Internet websites offering peer-to-peer instant messaging.

(C) Internet websites offering comment forums or sections.

(D) Internet websites offering image or video posting platforms.

 

Prevention is key.

We need to stop harassment and bullying. It’s the ultimate form of disrespectful behavior which is why we focus so heavily on PBIS implementation, the CLASS expectation, and teaching students what we WANT to see. 

Here are some of the ways ASA Charter School is teaching respect, modeling and promoting EMPATHY, and preventing bullying:

 

• School-wide assemblies presented by staff and outside consultants.
• PBIS expectation assemblies and kindness days focusing on respect and CLASS.
• Small group counseling lessons on bullying, self-esteem, conflict resolution, mindset, and social skills.
• Access to counseling with our SEL Counselor and School Psychologist.
• Implementation of the Student Leadership Council to address the student voice in shaping policies.
• Parent Workshops- Defining Bullying/Harassment, How to Report, Cyberbullying, etc.
• Campus Discussions on School Safety, Connectedness, and Bullying Prevention
• Attendance at Bullying Prevention Conferences 
• Access to Mental and Behavioral Health assistance through IEHP Health Navigators
• Inclusion Activities 
• Celebrating Differences

 

To see all the positive things ASA Charter School is doing to prevent bullying and promote empathy, reach out to your site administration or follow their social media feeds.

 

Students and parents are encouraged to report bullying/harassment as soon as possible. You may file a report with the front desk, the classroom teacher, or an administrator. Please complete a Bullying and Harassment Complaint Form, which you can find on this page, or at the front desk.  The Bullying/Harassment complaint Form is available in English and Spanish.

The ASA Charter School Bullying and Harassment Complaint Form is available on this page, or you may obtain a paper copy in the front office. This form allows students and parents to detail what has happened so an administrator can begin an investigation.

Administrators will interview witnesses, teachers, aides, and the alleged aggressor during the course of the investigation. Surveillance camera footage will also be reviewed to get an accurate depiction of the interactions the students have had. A meeting will be scheduled with the parent of the alleged target of the bullying/harassment to address the findings of the investigation.

If the parent is not satisfied with the outcome, then they can file a complaint with the ASA Charter School Board of Directors. Please submit your complaint in writing to the front office, and you will be given the date and time of the next board meeting to address your complaint.

Students may leave their name off the report so they can report bullying/harassment (or anything else) anonymously. If an allegation of bullying is reported to a teacher or other staff member, they must notify administration of the allegation. If your student has made such a complaint and has not heard back from administration, then please contact the school.

If a staff member witnesses bullying/harassment they shall intervene immediately to stop the behavior (when safe to do so) and notify an administrator.