Published On: October 1st, 2018By Leticia Fehling

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

Schools throughout the country are devoting October to raising awareness for bullying prevention.

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

District leaders believe that bullying, hazing, harassment, and intimidation greatly reduce a student’s ability to achieve. They believe that all students have the right to a safe, caring and respectful learning environment. That is why the District is committed to providing resources and education about the dangers of bullying.

Bullying behavior is experienced through a variety of methods such as verbal, social, physical and cyberbullying (e.g. text messaging, social media). One way students can help prevent bullying is by reporting it.

According to directors with the Aldine ISD Safe and Secure Schools Office, a lot of students don’t report bullying because they may think someone has already noticed, or they fear they will be stigmatized for reporting. Nikki Reid advises students to reach out to campus principals, assistant superintendents, teachers, coaches and campus counselors. Reid is one of the directors with Safe and Secure Schools.

“We want students to know that we are providing them a safe place where they can talk about things that are happening at school and outside of the campus,” Reid said. “Students need to know that they’re being heard and that there’s going to be a response to this.”

Reporting Bullying

The District investigates all reports of bullying. Students or parents/legal guardians of students who have been bullied or witnessed bullying should immediately report such incidents to the school principal or assistant principal. Instances of bullying can also be reported to the assistant superintendent who oversees the campus. When an incident occurs, the following steps are taken to address the matter:

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]A report is generated that outlines the incident and the parties involved.[/li] [li]The designated site administrator conducts a thorough investigation. [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Parents of both the victim and perpetrator are notified of the incident.[/li] [li]Disciplinary action, if necessary, is taken and enforced by the site administrator. [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]The victim and the perpetrator will be provided counseling if needed.[/li][/ul]

Students can also contact Crime Stoppers, (713) 222-TIPS or (713) 222-8477, to anonymously report bullying, abuse, bomb threats, cyber crimes, discrimination, drugs, health concerns, suspicious behavior, vandalism, fighting and weapons. Additionally, individuals can contact the Aldine ISD Police Department (281) 442-4923.

Aldine ISD’s Bullying Prevention Effort

Learn about the District’s efforts to prevent bullying by teaching every student how to be an ‘ally.’ View anti-bullying policies and find out about resources available to students by visiting the Safe and Secure Schools webpages (click here). Families can also visit AldineISD.org (click), to view the District’s “Freedom From Bullying” policy.

With families, students, community and staff members working together, Aldine ISD will maintain school environments that are safe and conducive for learning.