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Theresa Alonso Assignment 3 Issues Valdosta State University

T. Alonso 2 Lake County Schools School Board. (n.d.). Lake county schools. Retrieved from http://lake.k12.fl.us/16511031094951697/lib/16511031094951697/Policy_5.33.pdf http://lake.k12.fl.us/16511031094951697/lib/16511031094951697/Policy_5.33.pdf The policy cited above from the Lake County School System discusses a wide range of student bullying and aggressive behaviors conducted towards fellow students and authorities. Chapter 5 section 1:e is explicit in discussing cyber bullying. Within this policy, the board defines such activities to include the wide range of non-text interaction. This includes blogs, videos, posts on social media, photographs, text messages, as well as other defined mediums. The policy also describes several main key points of cyber bullying. The board states, cyber bullies fear less repercussions because they can often hide behind screen names, the impact is vast reaching an uncountable audience at a high rate, and also the planning time of bullying events is minimal and lacks a reflective opportunity. According to this policy, disciplinary actions will be appropriately given based on the evidence and situation after a full investigation has been conducted. Individual's are encouraged to report incidences of such gravity whether initiated on school campus or not. This policy has many strong points. The board includes, The physical location or time access of a computer-related incident cannot be raised as a defense in any disciplinary action initiated (Lake County Schools School Board). This portion of the policy increases its strength making sure the place or time of the incident does not create boundaries for the disciplinary results. This is important when discussing cyber bullying because there are no time constraints or limits of the effects and reach of this type of harassment. This policy is very inclusive in describing the types of ways cyber bullying can occur, which also increases its strength.

T. Alonso 3 Weaknesses found within this policy are the lack of types of comments that are considered bullying. A more explicit example should be provided that includes phrases and common statements that are viewed as cyber bullying. Also, this policy is part of a bigger policy with the overall statement and title being bullying and harassment. Also, I feel as though there needs to be a zero tolerance statement in the policy, emphasizing the reality of the detriment this type of interaction could have on students.

T. Alonso 4 Bristol Board of Education. (2010, 09 15). Bristol public schools. Retrieved from http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=5730 http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=5730 The Bristol Board of Education has created a separate policy discussing cyber bullying in its entirety. The Bristol Public Schools state, Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or Website postings, including blogs (Bristol Board of Education, 2010). Similarly to the previous policy, the writers included the different types of medium used as a means to bully in this setting. At the beginning of the policy it is stated that the school computers and technologies are in place to help students increase their knowledge within the classroom and other uses are strictly prohibited. Following the descriptive factors, the Bristol Board of Education continues to discuss the disciplinary actions that would be taken as outlined by the procedures of the school system. In the occasion that the even was outside the school setting, in order for repercussions to take place the situation would need to disrupt school functions or be an infraction of another school policy such as threats. The positive components of this policy is that once again the different mediums where this type of bullying happens is included. Also, at the end of the policy the disciplinary measures are stated and outlined clearly for all stakeholders to address and follow. The Board encourages victims to not erase offensive materials but to copy them and allow for these materials to be printed

T. Alonso 5 and filed with the investigative material. This statement within the policy is a very good reminder to help those who are victims to procedure their offender. This policy has several weaknesses in my eyes. Again, I feel there needs to be a zero tolerance policy when discussing cyber bullying. Within the policy, there should be a safety statement describing those who report the offensive material be housed under as safe informant statement.

T. Alonso 6 San Ramon Valley Unified School District. (2012, December 14). Windemere ranch middle school. Retrieved from http://www.wrms.srvusd.net/cyberbullying http://www.wrms.srvusd.net/cyberbullying Windemere Ranch Middle has the strongest of the three presented policies on cyber bullying and is a separate policy from other forms of harassment. This policy is broken into three sections. The beginning section describes what cyber bullying is and includes definitions of where this type of harassment occurs. Similar to the other two policies, San Ramon Valley Unified School District includes pictures, written texts, images, and other social mediums as means to bully. The section section of this policy discusses the consequences for instances of this offense. Under this section, the District states the offenders can receive a minimum 1 day of suspension and a maximum result of expulsion. The final section of this policy describes the processes and procedures for stopping cyber bullies. This includes victims printing the evidence, leaving the blog or forum, and confronting their offender. This policy is very strong and is backed by quoted laws Education Codes 48900.4. This type of emphasis on the legality of the situation increases the strength of the policy allowing offenders to understand the graveness of the this type of conduct. While there is no stated zerotolerance statement, the policy makers did state, The Administration may also report the Cyber Bullying or Harassment to the police (San Ramon Valley Unified School District, 2012). This again emphasizes the severity of this misconduct. There are few weaknesses within this well written policy. One additional section I would have like to see is a description of how educators or other officials should inform administrative staff of incidences.

T. Alonso 7 Newly Developed Policy The purpose of school technology equipment is to enhance and improve the learning experience and quality of the students. Uses other than this are prohibited and appropriate course of consequences will be followed. Definition of Cyber Bullying Cyber bullying is the intentional harming the psychological well being of another through electronic communication devices such as but not limited to cell phones, instant messengers, social networking sites, blogs, and web sites. Cyber bullying is defined as but not limited to: taking pictures of others without consent or permission creating cartoons/pictures with intentions to mock or poke fun at others sending or posting malicious text messages to others sending or posting false, vicious, misleading, sensitive confidential information to others Bullying using this type of medium creates a negative atmosphere and negative self image for the victims and will not be tolerated within the school setting. Any incident whether on campus of not resulting in school disruption or malfunction will receive disciplinary actions outlined below. Consequences for Cyber Bullying Minimum offenses will be determined by the school's administrative staff members. Maximum offenses include severe incidences that include threatening and major offensive and explicit materials. 1. Minimum: 1-5 days in school suspension 2. maximum: expulsion

T. Alonso 8 At any time, administrative staff may report offenders to police for further investigation and penalties. Action Steps to Respond to Cyber Bullies 1. print offensive materials as evidence 2. block bully and remove memberships to accounts of incidence 3. approach cyber bully requesting termination of interaction 4. report to trusted officials In cases of severe or threatening material, report incidences to authorities immediately. Actions for School Staff to Report Cyber Bullies 1. print offensive materials as evidence 2. report suspected bully to administrator 3. send victim to school counseling staff 4. separate offender and victim 5. contact parents of both parties involved in the incident and review school policy