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Bully Prevention
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead.
Strong people stand up for themselves, but the strongest people stand up for others.
“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” —Scott Adams.
“Cyber bullying is bullying. Hiding behind a pretty screen doesn’t make it any less hateful.”
Bullying Prevention Curriculum and Reporting
Bullying Prevention and Education Board Policy
The Board of Education supports a secure school climate, conducive to teaching and learning that is free from threat, harassment and any type of bullying behavior. The purpose of this policy is to promote consistency of approach and to help create a climate in which all types of bullying are regarded as unacceptable.
Bullying is the use of coercion or intimidation to obtain control over another person or to cause physical, mental or emotional harm to another person. Bullying can occur through written, verbal or electronically transmitted expression or by means of a physical act or gesture. Bullying is prohibited against any student for any reasons, including but not limited to any such behavior that is directed toward a student on the basis of their academic performance or any basis protected by federal and state law, including disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation (which includes transgender), national origin, religion, ancestry or the need for special education services, whether such characteristic(s) is actual or perceived.
Bullying is prohibited on district property, at district or school-sanctioned activities and events, when students are being transported in any vehicle dispatched by the district or one of its schools, or off school property when such conduct has a nexus to school or any district curricular or non-curricular activity or event.
A student who engages in any act of bullying and/or a student who takes any retaliatory action against a student who reports in good faith an incident of bullying, is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement authorities. The severity and pattern, if any, of the bullying behavior will be taken into consideration when disciplinary decisions are made. Bullying behavior that constitutes unlawful discrimination or harassment will be subject to investigation and discipline under related Board policies and procedures. Students targeted by bullying when such bullying behavior may constitues unlawful discrimination or harassment also have additional rights and protections under Board policies and procedures regarding unlawful discrimiation and harassment
Our Prevention Efforts
Creating and maintaining a safe and positive school climate is a top priority in Monte Vista where we have adopted the implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH), and Restorative Practices (RP) as district-wide initiatives. Rather than a curriculum, the programs are frameworks that encourage positive behavior in students and staff by teaching, practicing, and affirming common behavior expectations. Each school has a Climate and Culture team that reviews school-wide behavior data and plans activities to proactively maintain a positive climate.
We adopted PBIS as a framework for defining, teaching, practicing, and recognizing respectful, responsible, and safe behaviors. Each school in our district has a themed behavior matrix and a PBIS team that strategizes and promotes these positive behaviors in every school environment (classroom, hallway, cafeteria, etc.) Each school also has a discipline matrix and database from tracking major and minor infractions in order to intervene early when student behavior does not meet our positive behavior expectations.
“What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?” —Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Imagine a world where the words you speak show up on your skin.
“Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”