Bullying Prevention
Los Banos Elementary is dedicated to ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. We recognize that in any school, the potential exists for bullying to occur. We believe in the power of one, which means we all have the power to stop bullying.
At Los Banos Elementary, we believe in working together with parents to combat bullying. We know bullying isn’t confined to school grounds. It is everyone’s responsibility to combat bullying. Bullying at school affects and is affected by what happens at home between siblings, what happens in the neighborhood, and what happens when kids go online. We must work together to take immediate action, whether a child bullies, is a victim of bullying, or is a witness to bullying.
Please talk to your child about the responsibility we all have in stopping bullying. Some children don’t realize that they are doing bullying behaviors. Sometimes children who witness bullying behaviors don’t realize they have the power to stop it. Students who are victims of bullying behaviors must report it to adults on campus immediately. Children can change their behavior and stop bullying.
What is Bullying? Bullying can be physical, verbal or emotional. Bullying is different from teasing in that it happens more than once.
Physical bullying includes hitting, pushing, taking or damaging possessions, or making someone do something he or she does not want to do.
Verbal bullying includes threatening, name calling, teasing, spreading rumors, and taunting.
Emotional bullying includes excluding or ignoring, spreading rumors, gossiping, making someone feel scared of uncomfortable.
What is Cyber-bullying? Bullying that occurs through the use of technology or any electronic communication is called cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullying may occur through the use of emails, text messaging, instant messaging, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, KIK, Lipsy, Musical.ly, and other social media sites. We recommend students do not use social media sites in elementary school. Remember, anything a child writes on-line leaves a digital footprint.
Rest assured that the school is committed to continually reviewing its policies and practices in respect of bullying and harassment. This is why all students attended an assembly during the first two days of school regarding the school rules and what to do if someone is mean or is bullying them. We reviewed our approach to bullying- STOP, WALK, and TALK with our students. Students were told to STOP the person that is being mean by telling them to stop, WALK away from the student that is being unkind, TALK to an adult if the behavior is continuing. Please review STOP, WALK, and TALK with your child at home. By working together, we can make sure all students have a positive experience in school this year and in years to come. However, with that being said, we take bullying seriously, and we have policies and procedures in place that ensure that each report of alleged bullying is investigated by school staff. Please remember, it is everyone’s responsibility to combat bullying. Let’s work together to keep Los Banos Elementary a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.