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ANTI-BULLYING

Anti-bullying 

This web page is a resource for parents, guardians, and students to help us prevent bullying at Whiteford Agricultural Schools. The information below was adapted from PREVNet. PREVNet is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing youth interpersonal violence. 

What is the difference between TEASING and BULLYING?

Why do children tease each other?

Children tease because it can be a fun way to provoke a reaction in someone else, and they may want to reciprocate being teased themselves. Teasing can strengthen a relationship by showing closeness and affection with another person. It can help show others what behaviours are appropriate in society: for example, teasing someone for talking with his/her mouth full communicates – without direct confrontation – that this is not a polite and socially accepted behaviour. Teasing also represents an indirect and non-threatening (perhaps even playful) method for resolving conflicts by providing an outlet for expressing frustration or disapproval.

Teasing is positive when:

  • It takes place within a strong relationship with two people who appreciate the teasing as affectionate.
  • The teaser is using a “joking” (rather than aggressive) tone of voice and smiling.
  • The person being teased does not look distressed.

When Does Teasing Become Bullying?

While teasing can be used to strengthen a relationship, it can also be used to alienate, criticize, and embarrass another person, which may weaken the relationship. The affectionate interaction of teasing can turn hostile when the person being teased is distressed by the teasing. Teasing about physical appearance is almost always hostile and hurtful. This is not surprising since appearance has so much influence on social acceptance and is out of the individual’s control.

Teasing becomes bullying when:

  • The content of the teasing turns from affectionate to hostile.
  • There is a power imbalance: the person teasing has more power among peers compared to the person being teased.
  • The teasing occurs repeatedly.
  • The child who is teasing means to upset or hurt the child being teased.
  • The child being teased is upset or hurt by the interaction. Keep in mind that some children, boys especially, may not show that their feelings are hurt. If you are not sure whether the teasing is hurtful, pull the child being teased aside to ask them how they feel about it.

How can I report bullying?

If you would like to report an incident of what you believe to be is bullying, please contact the appropriate building principal at:

          • Elementary (TK-5th Grade) - Mr. Sam Marsh (samuel.marsh@whiteford.k12.mi.us) or 734-856-1443 Ext. 104
          • Secondary (6th-12th Grade) - Mr. Jeremy Fielder (jeremy.fielder@whiteford.k12.mi.us) or 734-856-1443 Ext. 101

What to Do if Your Child is Being Bullied
Warning Signs that a Child is Being Bullied
How to Talk with Educators at Your Child's School About Bullying

SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (SWPBIS)

School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) is an evidence-based three-tiered framework to improve and integrate all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. SWPBIS creates schools where all students succeed.


ZONES OF REGULATION

Feelings are complicated. They come in different sizes, intensities, and levels of energy that are unique within our brains and bodies. To make them easier to talk about, think about, and regulate, The Zones of Regulation organizes our feelings, states of alertness, and energy levels into four colored Zones – Blue, Green, Yellow, and Red. The simple, common language and visual structure of The Zones of Regulation helps make the complex skill of regulation more concrete for learners and those who support them. We learn to regulate our Zones to meet our goals and task demands, as well as support our overall well-being.


If a student has been bullied, the parents of that child often want to know what the consequences were for the student who did the bullying. In public schools, we are bound by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and cannot disclose information to parents about children that are not their own. However, we can let parents know the procedures and hierarchy of consequences we follow in these circumstances.

Code of Conduct

Not all acts of bullying will present themselves as bullying right away. However, whatever the form, it should appear as a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Parents can look up the type of violation in the Student Handbook under the Code of Conduct and see the potential consequences. Note that there is usually a range of consequences available to administrators. That range exists so administrators can weigh specifics of the incident, such as if the student is a repeat offender.

Suspension and Expulsion

Recent Michigan laws changed the way schools handle suspensions and expulsions. The legislation wants schools to move away from removing students from school. Before we can suspend a student, we must now meet as a team and review seven different required
considerations. They are:

  • student’s age
  • student’s disciplinary history
  • seriousness of offense
  • whether student has disability
  • whether violation threatened health/safety
  • whether to use restorative practices
  • whether lesser intervention is appropriate

The legislation requires:

  • consideration of seven factors in EVERY case of suspension or expulsion EXCEPT FIREARMS.
  • Administrators must use the new factors as justification to not to suspend or expel a pupil, even for a "zero tolerance" offense, EXCEPT FIREARMS.
  • There is a rebuttable presumption that any suspension over 10 days is unjustified "unless the [district]…can demonstrate that it considered each of the factors."
  • Districts must consider using restorative practices as an alternative to suspension

Monroe County Sheriff's Department

Depending on the severity of the incident, we may get the Monroe County Sheriff's Department involved. In addition to violating the Code of Conduct, a student’s behavior may also have broken the law. When that is the case, we will not hesitate to press charges and have the student arrested.

Court System

When the arrest leads to a court case, we follow it through. We will make staff members available to attend court and testify about a student’s behavior.

The goal of OK2SAY is to stop harmful behavior before it occurs by encouraging anyone to report threatening behavior to caring adult authorities who can help. OK2SAY encourages Michigan residents to confidentially submit tips 24/7.

Submit a Confidential Report of Threats or Violence