Schools tackle bullying issues year-round
October is recognized as National Bullying Prevention Month. Oct. 2 is World Day of Bullying Prevention. The last Wednesday of February is known internationally as Pink Shirt Day or Anti-Bullying Day.
Preventing bullying is a world-wide task, a national concern, a state-wide mandate and a local priority for schools according to officials from Hutto and Taylor Independent School Districts.
“Our focus on bullying prevention isn’t limited to a month. We have a year-round effort ... to create a culture of inclusiveness, character, kindness and regulation to develop the whole child,” said Noelle Newton, executive director of communications and community relations for Hutto ISD.
Hutto schools teach a curriculum called “The Hippo Way” that includes character development, bullying prevention, self-regulation and coping skills, among other core concepts.
Taylor schools follow a similar path to bullying prevention, and Rachelle Finck, Taylor ISD director of counseling and guidance, says the approach is proven effective.
“We do a bullying lesson in classrooms once or twice a month teaching verbal and non-verbal cues, positive and negative responses, self-awareness of how you approach a situation, social awareness of how you see the world and fit in the world and that’s where some problem-solving comes into play,” Finck said.
The National Institute of Health and the National Institute of Justice confirm that these types of inclusive, character-based prevention programs can create a “statistically significant reduction in bullying.”
Many agencies agree that most bullying is preventable. According to the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, a non-profit organization that provides abuse-prevention classroom curriculums to school districts, research shows that in 57% of bullying situations, the bullying stops within ten seconds when someone intervenes.
The agency reports that 13 million students will be bullied in the United States this year, a statistic that translates to one in every four students.
“There is an increased awareness of the harm caused by bullying, and most schools have policies stating that hurtful, disrespectful behaviors are unacceptable,” MBF said. “As parents, we expect schools to provide an environment that is emotionally and physically safe for students.”
Both school districts report they follow Texas school codes that define bullying and regulate some of the responses, as well as following their own written codes of conduct in any individual case of bullying.
One thing neither district can do is comment on ongoing cases of bullying. Officials say state and federal privacy protection laws prevent commenting on anything related to specific students. This rule has been concerning to some parents who have stated they hear more about school violence on social media than from the school officials.
“We go to the student and make sure they’re feeling safe,” said Clarissa Rodriguez, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning at Taylor ISD. “We’re not at liberty to discuss those allegations with anyone. But that does not mean we are not taking the appropriate steps to ensure their safety.”
Rodriguez said Taylor ISD has a clear and systematic approach to performing bullying investigations, communicating with parents and protocols for acting on the incidents if the investigation validates the allegations. Newton said that Hutto ISD also has written procedures in place governing the investigation, communication and disciplinary actions associated with claims of bullying.
“All charges of bullying, sexual harassment, dating violence and sexual violence are taken very seriously by students, faculty, staff, administration and parents/guardians,” Newton said. “Every effort will be made to respond to every charge and complaint filed by students and employees in a fair, thorough and just manner. And to protect the due process rights of all victims and all alleged perpetrators.”
Taylor ISD schools will kick off a month of special antibullying awareness activities starting Oct. 2, which is homecoming week for Taylor High School.
Hutto ISD schools will wear orange on Oct. 18 to observe national Unity Day — promoting kindness, acceptance and inclusion in order to prevent bullying.
