LCA Anti-Bullying Policy
LCA Anti-Bullying Policy
The State of Texas passed Senate Bill 179 in an attempt to have all schools be more intentional in dealing with and hopefully preventing cyberbullying. Cyberbullying will be treated in the same manner as bullying.
Llano County will provide LCA, through a grant, with curriculum for anti-bullying, cyberbullying, mental health and suicide prevention. These will be addressed through health classes for grades 2 – 12.
Definition of Bullying:
A single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves written or verbal expression, including electronic communication, or physical conduct that occurs on or is delivered to school property or to the site of a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property or on publicly or privately owned school bus or vehicle being used for transportation of students to or from school or school-sponsored or school-related activity, and that (1) has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property; (2) is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the student; (3) materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school; or (4) infringes on the rights of the victim at school, including cyberbullying.
Definition of Cyberbullying:
Bullying that is done through the use of any electronic communication device, including through the use of a cellular or other type of telephone, a computer, a camera, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, a social media application, an Internet website, or any other Internet-based or electronic communication tool and that occurs off school property or outside of a school- sponsored or school-related activity, if the cyberbullying interferes with a student’s educational opportunities or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a classroom, school, or school-sponsored or school-related activity.
Administrative actions:
In determining the extent of bullying or cyberbullying and the consequences, the administration will take into consideration:
-the degree of severity and risk of danger,
-the effect of the misconduct,
-the age and grade level of the student,
-legal requirements,
-the frequency of the misconduct,
-the student’s demeanor, and/or
-the possibility of disruption of the school environment.
The following steps will be followed for:
First Offense
1. Conference with student where a statement will be written.
2. Conference with parents.
3. Upon determination of bullying behavior, a one-week suspension from school. Work will be given to the student to be completed at home.
Immediately upon investigation and the determination that an act of bullying or cyberbullying has occurred, the parents of the victim with be contacted by phone or in person.
Second Offense
1. Statement will be written.
2. Police will be called and a report filed.
3. Upon determination of bullying behavior, the student will be expelled for the remainder of the year and zeros recorded for all grades.
Immediately upon investigation and the determination that an act of bullying or cyberbullying has occurred, the parents of the victim with be contacted by phone or in person.
For any student who coerces a student to commit or attempt to commit suicide, automatic expulsion will be given and law enforcement will be called to further investigate. Parents will be contacted immediately for the victim and the perpetrator.
Contacting Law Enforcement
At any point the Administrator has the right to contact law enforcement as ask for assistance with further investigation. The Admintsrator will call the Llano County 911 and ask the dispatcher to send an officer to the school.
Anonymous Reporting for Bullying Behavior
Any student or parent may contact the Administrator with a report of bullying, cyberbullying or behavior disrupting the educational flow of Llano Christian Academy. The name of the student and/or parent will remain confidential.
The national hotline may also be used: 1-800-784-2433.
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