Dress Code Issues/Reminders:

1. Dress Code Issues/Reminders: • Shorts/Skirts – Mid-thigh in length (not fingertips) • Spaghetti straps, tank tops not allowed • Shirts/blouses should cover undergarments; we don’t want to see straps • No athletic shorts – period! • T-shirts/clothing should not have inappropriate words or references to sex, alcohol or drugs

2. Some Safety Issues: • Only 4 doors unlocked/monitored before school • Do Not let strangers in locked doors! They must enter through a monitored door. Think safety! • Know the evacuation plan – students report to their advisory teachers on the field. • Know what to do in other situations: Lockdown, Severe Weather Evacuation, etc.

3. A Respectful School Highland Park Middle School 2013-2014

4. Objectives • Review school expectations about put-downs and bully prevention • Understand how to build a respectful school climate

5. Respect (from the dictionary) • Respect is… • …showing high regard for an authority, other people, self and country • …treating others as you would want to be treated • …understanding that all people have value as human beings

6. No Put Down Policy • From the Student Handbook (Agenda Book): • Verbal or non-verbal negative expressions for the purpose of making someone feel inferior • Put Downs are not tolerated • Classroom Behavior – Teachers Domain • Hallways/Cafeteria – can be a problem

7. Bullying – Definition: • When a student or group of students engages in: • Written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means or physical conduct that occurs: • On school property, • At a school sponsored or related event, • Or in a vehicle operated by the school, And …

8. Bullying – Definition: • The HPISD School Board or Administrators determines that the behavior: • Has the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing the student in reasonable fear of harm to person or property, or • Is sufficiently severe, persistent and pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment.

9. Bullying - Definition • This conduct is considered bullying if it: • Exploits an imbalance of power between the student engaging in bullying and the victim through written or verbal expression or physical conduct, and • Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.

10. What is Bullying? Key Concepts: • Written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means or physical conduct, • Has the effect of causing physical harm, damaging property, or causing fear of harm, • Is severe, persistent and pervasive enough that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment • Exploits an imbalance of power, and • Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.

11. Verbal aggression Name calling Teasing Threatening Social aggression Spreading rumors Exclusion from a group Facebook Posts Instagram Physical aggression Hitting Kicking Destroying property Intimidation Graffiti Dirty tricks Note writing Texting Bullying Examples

12. Cyber-Bullying • Use of an electronic communication device(s) to engage in bullying or to threaten students, teachers, volunteers, etc. • Includes posts, texts, messages, Instagram, etc., that are harassing, threatening, obscene or damaging someone’s reputation.

13. Cyber-Bullying • Actions occur on or off school property • Key phrase: “Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.” • Thus it creates an intimidating or threatening environment.

14. Cyber-Safety • Remember: When you post something or hit “Send,” it is Public and Permanent! • Pictures, FB posts, etc. Think before you “Send!”

15. Reporting Bullying • Bullying is not tolerated by the district and any student or parent who believes that a student has experienced bullying or that a student has engaged in bullying is encouraged to immediately report the incident.  • Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of district policy and is prohibited. • Students or parents may report an alleged incident of bullying, orally or in writing, to a teacher, counselor, principal or other district employee.  • More information about the district’s bullying policy can be found in the campus administration office or school board policies FFI(LEGAL) and FFI(LOCAL) at www.hpisd.org.

16. Sexual Harassment • Comments or actions of a sexual nature which are unwelcome and make the recipient uncomfortable • Coerced, unethical, and unwanted intimacy • Comments or actions are repetitive; creating an intimidating/threatening environment

17. Sexual Harassment Examples • Rude sounds • Whistling suggestively • Jokes about sex • Gestures • Graffiti • Unwelcome physical contact

18. Have you ever been a… ?(Please don’t raise your hand!) • Victim or Target • Bully • Bystander

19. What is a bystander? • Not actively involved as a bully or target • Remain silent or inactive when bullying occurs • Aware of bullying, but unable or unwilling to take action

20. Why do people “stand by”? • Don’t know what to do • Afraid of retaliation • Afraid to make the situation worse

21. Consequences for bystanders:How does the bystander feel? • Anxiety and guilt • Loss of self-respect and self-confidence • Desensitized to negative behaviors, diminished empathy for others

22. Be A Courageous Bystander! • Don’t be part of the “Silent Majority” • All it takes sometimes is ONE PERSON • Take responsibility for creating safe and respectful school • “Lend A Hand” to the Target (an acronym/things to do to help the victim)

23. Courageous Bystander: • Let bully know it’s not okay • (Show) Empathy to the Target • Never bully back • Distract the bully – make conversation with the bully

24. Courageous Bystander • Ask an adult for help • Hang out with the target; let them know you care • Ask the target to join your group

25. Courageous Bystander • Never cheer the bully on, laugh, encourage or stand around and watch • Don’t ignore the bullying; it will only get worse • “Lend A Hand”

26. If you’re bullied: “Take a Stand” • An acronym for the target/things he/she can do: • Tell an adult – parent, teacher, counselor, administrator • Agree with the bully - use sarcasm: “Thank you; Thanks for sharing” • Keep friends close; walking the halls • Emotions – share, don’t bully back

27. If bullied or targeted.……. • Avoid the bully – walk a different route • Stand up for yourself – “Leave me alone; Stop making fun of me; That’s not funny.” • Talk to someone about how you feel – Counselor, safe adult, friends, parents

28. If bullied or targeted…….. • Ask the bully questions – “Why are you doing that?” • Never bully back – but be assertive • Don’t show fear – but show that you can be confident/assertive

29. Don’t be a victim… • Don’t laugh it off if it offends you. This sends the wrong message. • Don’t hesitate to tell your teacher, counselor, principal, and/or parents. • Don’t ignore the situation. This can lead to a cycle of ongoing harassment and victimization. • Harassment is not your fault!

30. Our Goal – To Build A Respectful School • Respect between peers • Respect between students and teachers • Respect for our school traditions