CYBERBULLYING POLICY ASSIGNMENT #3

REBECCA ALFORD GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY FRIT 7330-SUMMER 2012

Pickens county schools code of conduct . (2010, August). Retrieved from http://pickenshigh.pickens.k12.ga.us/PCS_2010-2011_CodeofConduct.pdf

URLhttp://pickenshigh.pickens.k12.ga.us/PCS_2010-2011_CodeofConduct.pdf Pickens County Schools has recently adjusted the language in the Code of Conduct regarding bullying. This new policy, which is included specifically in the section on bullying, states that school bullying means an act which occurs on school property" (Pickens county schools,2010). The new wording then adds or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of a local school system (Pickens county schools, 2010). The act of bullying is further described following the information on the environment for which the policy applies. The language states that attempts or threats to harm another student, anything that gives another student reason to fear harm, or any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate, are all considered acts of bullying (Pickens

county schools, 2010). The strength of this policy is that it includes several lines of text that define school technology resources as an environment in which a bullying policy applies. Since this text is immediately followed by language that defines and prohibits bullying, it should be understood that bullying is not to occur on any type of school technology resources. All of the language is included in one section on bullying, so students and parents should have a clear understanding that bullying is not allowed while students are using school computers, or any other technology resource on school property. The language attempts to outline which hardware and software are included, and just in case one was left out, other electronic technology is cited as being part of the environment for which the policy applies (Pickens county schools, 2010) . A weakness in the Pickens County Policy is that the language about the technology environment needs to be included at the beginning of the school policy. This policy was written to meet the state and national requirements that schools address the issue of cyber-bullying. The section is strong, and will work well just as it is written. However, I do think that it would be an improvement to include language at the beginning of the document that stresses that all school policy applies in the environment of school technology.

Warwick School District. (2011).Bullying / Cyber-Bullying Policy. Retrieved July 5, 2012, from Warwick County School District:

http://www.warwick.k12.pa.us/orgmodule.php?deptid=107&schoolid= 0007&mid=248

URL http://www.warwicksd.org/departmentfiles/0007/107/249%20%20Bullying-Cyberbullying%20Policy.pdf

Warwick School District in Lititz, Pennsylvania, has adopted a policy on cyberbullying that I thought displayed a detailed understanding of exactly what cyberbullying entails . The policy defines cyberbullying as the use of technological tools to harass, intimidate, or instill fear in a student or staff members in such a way that interferes with educational or professional opportunities. The district policy outlines the responsibility of students, staff, and school officials when confronted with a cyber bullying complaint and how that complaint should be presented to the school principal. Once a complaint has been recorded the policy outlines actions that the principal or his/her designee must investigate the complaint before disciplinary actions should be taken. The action used will correlate to the student discipline code. I felt that the strong points of this policy are the careful attention that is paid toward procedure and responsibility. Warwick School District is very committed to make everyone accountable for stopping cyberbullying when it is brought to their attention. I think having a variety of channels for reporting can be of great benefit to victims of

cyberbullying. Also I think involving everyone in deterrence helps a great deal in investigating cyber bullying. Interpretation is a weakness of this policy. The understanding of cyberbullying was not addressed enough in this section. There are so many forms of cyber bullying I think that the policy would have gone the extra mile to identify some of the forms just to increase awareness if for no other reason. I also felt that the guidelines should have outlined specific displinary actions or steps of severity for breaking this policy.

Medford School Committee. (2010).Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Internet Safety. Retrieved from http://www.medfordpublicschools.org/forparents/technology-resource- guide-for- parents/#policy URL- http://www.medfordpublicschools.org/for-parents/technology-resourceguide-for-parents/#policy The Medford Public Schools Policy on bullying and cyberbullying is very detailed, easy to understand, and explains all factors of the offense. It places the same emphasis on bullying and cyberbullying, explaining what each means so that all involved are aware of how the offenses will be punished . It describes all the possible locations that these offenses can take place that fall under the policy. The policy includes a section dedicated to just cyberbullying. It defines

cyberbullying as bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which includes but is not limited to any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by such things as electronic mail, internet communication, instant message, text message or facsimile.(Medford public schools, 2011) The policy stresses the significance of students, parents, and employees within the district to immediately report any possible acts of bullying and cyberbullying. It states that all reports of cyberbullying will be immediately investigated and what steps the administration will take in the matter. Staff will also be educated and trained on these policies and how to teach students about bullying and cyberbullying. This policy does a impressive job at defining cyberbullying and ways that cyberbullying can occur. It gives examples for parents and teachers so they will know what to look for when cyber bullying may have occurred. The policy also does a great job at informing students about how the offense will be investigated and the steps that will take place when a report is filed. Overall the policy is solid, but there are some weaknesses. I think the policy could have headings that explain what the preceding paragraph is about. The policy runs together and needs more separation so aspects of the policy are easily found. The consequences need to be listed with better explanation. The plan needs to be more specific when it comes to offenses. It explains the offenses for someone who makes false accusations about bullying and cyberbullying better than the punishment for the bullies. These changes would make the policy better.

South Effingham High School Cyberbullying Policy Definition of cyberbullying: This is a means of "bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which shall include, but not limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, texting or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system, including, but not limited to , electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications"(North kingstown policy, 2012). North Kingstown School.(June 2012). JBA 2 Bullying. Retrieved from http://northkingstownschoolri.iqm2.com/Citizens/Search.aspx?SearchText=cybe rbullying policy Forms of cyberbullying include: impersonating another student creating a web page or blog using another students name. sending any material electronically that can be detrimental and disruptive to any student and their education.

Policy Administration:

The school principal shall be responsible for the implementation of this policy. All reports filed by the principal will be reported to the Superintendent and the School Board at least twice per semester.

Publication: This policy shall be circulated annually to students, staff, volunteers and parents/legal guardians by being posted on the school web page (home page) and by being distributed in the student/staff handbooks.

Reporting: All staff, students, volunteers, and parents will be educated on how to report any act of bullying. A report form will be easily available for use. Parents/Guardians of students who have been reported as being "bullied" will be notified within 24 hours from the time the report has been submitted. False reporting will not be tolerated and shall be disciplined according to falsifying information behavior code of conduct. Prompt investigation should be made to whether or not the alleged bullying is worth further investigation. If true, follow list that follows: 1. File a report 2. Immediate disciplinary action. 3. Notify parents/guardians of victim and offender. 4. Assessment of victim by school psychologist. 5. Assessment of "bully" by school psychologist if said offender is repeat offender.

6. Police notification if criminal charges need to be filed. 7. Protection provided for victim to provide a safe educational environment.

Disciplinary Action: The severity of the disciplinary action shall decided by the principal. a. Warnings with silent lunch. b. Parent phone call and meeting. c. In house suspension d. Loss of parking pass and/or bus transportation. e. Loss of participation in extracurricular activities and social events. f. Loss of participation in senior week activities and graduation activities. g. School suspension.

Should it be determined that a student, staff, or faculty member failed to report incidents of technological misuse or attempted to conceal such misuse will result in disciplinary actions against all parties involved.