Legal Guide by Holli Boggs

Legal Guide by Holli Boggs https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v Bullying/Cyberbullying en-us 2020-11-15 22:06:46 UTC 2025-10-18 10:35:27 UTC hello@padlet.com Professional Perspective/Audience/Topic hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925237226 As an instructional coach and reading interventionist at Dumas High School, the professional perspective about bullying is that it has a very negative impact on a students emotionally and academically. This presentation will provide resources for educators to use regarding bullying at school and online. Due to escalating circumstances on our campus, this padlet will provide legal and ethical responsibilities regarding bullying. Teachers need to understand how to prevent, handle, documents, and report acts of bullying.
This topic was chosen due to the importance of spreading updated news, laws, and protocols to educators. Together we can make a difference. and stop bullying (ASPA, 2019). ]]> 2020-11-15 22:19:55 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925237226 https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925255751 2020-11-15 22:36:18 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925255751 Interview with Brett Beesley hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925326242 I interviewed the former principal of Dumas High School about bullying. He has been in education for over twenty years. From being a coach to a principal, he has seen this on the field and in the classroom. He explained some of the incidents that happened while he was a baseball coach. He described how some of the upperclassmen hazed and bullied the freshman and sophomores at the field house and in the dugout. He said he talked to the JV and Varsity teams and warned them of their behavior. He said, "I do not have room on my teams for bullies; you will treat everyone with respect" (Beesley, 2020). He said he only had to kick one team member off the team in his coaching career, but it had to be done. It made a big impact at the time. Bullying is a very dangerous behaviour.
As a former principal, Mr. Beesley had to deal with both bullying on campus and online. Beesley, "we take this topic very seriously; our school needs to be a safe place for all learners" (Beesley, 2020).
Beelsey's top three best practices for this topic (Beesley, 2020):

Have definitions and steps to take in the school handbook
Have open communication with parents
Tell students to speak up

"Bullying is an epidemic" (Beesley, 2020). Currently teachers watch continuing education videos over this topic each year for the district. Teachers are required to watch for signs of bullying in the halls, classrooms, and field. Mr. Beesley discussed the importance of following the campus protocol. He said, "We have to focus on having positive and safe campuses" (Beelsey, 2020).
As a educator for over twenty five years, students cannot learn if they are scared. Dumas High School has three licensed counselors that can help resolve issues that arise. Dumas High School also has a full time police officer on campus. He can interview, investigate, and file criminal charges against bullies. Our school district takes this very seriously. Prevention strategies are in place at DISD.
Mr. Beesley is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel for Dumas ISD.
https://www.dumasisd.org/362299_3?personID=217548

]]> 2020-11-15 23:41:08 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925326242 Professional Association hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925384555 The National Education Association (NEA) states, "Every student deserves a safe, welcoming, affirming learning environment that is free from bullying" (NEA, 2020). They take a strong stance against any form of bullying for any student across America. Every student deserves a safe, and welcoming learning environment (NEA, 2020). ]]> 2020-11-16 00:31:41 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925384555 Reference hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925414399 The National Education Association (NEA). (2020). Preventing violence & bullying. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/school-climate/bullying]]> 2020-11-16 00:52:44 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925414399 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925419415 https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/school-climate/bullying]]> 2020-11-16 00:56:06 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925419415 Reference hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925429019 Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA). (2019). Get help now. https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now]]> 2020-11-16 01:02:38 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/925429019 Current News Event: hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/929955720 A 16-year-old boy broke up a bullying incident. Days later, police say he was fatally shot by one of the boys involved

By Christina Maxouris, CNN

February 10, 2020

In this CNN article, a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed days after he broke up a fight involving the shooting suspect.
The teenager, Reynolds, was shot and killed in Arlington, Texas.
Police officers arrested a "male juvenile suspect" the same day.
One of the policeman said that Reynolds, a 10th grader, saw another student getting picked on and decided to intervene and stop the fight.
One of the youths involved was captured on security cameras shooting Reynolds with a .40 caliber gun.
This was a tragic loss of a young life. The community is sad and distraught.

]]> 2020-11-17 02:23:44 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/929955720 Reference hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/929963154 Brett Beesley on Bullying [Personal interview]. (2020, November 9).]]> 2020-11-17 02:28:21 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/929963154 https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/08/us/texas-high-school-boy-shot-bullying/index.html hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/929987229 2020-11-17 02:43:22 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/929987229 Reference hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/929991418 Maxouris, C. (2020, February 10). A 16-year-old boy broke up a bullying incident. Days later, police say he was fatally shot by one of the boys involved.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/08/us/texas-high-school-boy-shot-bullying/index.html]]> 2020-11-17 02:46:00 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/929991418 Current News Event: hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930003462 Despite anti-bullying laws, students are still struggling. Here’s the data from Central Texas school districts

By Tori Larned, KVUE ABC
February 10, 2020

AUSTIN, Texas — Every morning, Haley Pariseau gets ready each morning wondering what the day will bring. It has been a hard year.
Haley is a freshman in Hays Consolidated Independent School District.
She started getting bullied in the fourth grade, but her freshman year was the worst.
She wanted to take her life.
Haley has spastic hemiplegia.
It makes some students see her differently and bully her.
Despite Texas' anti-bullying laws and policies set in place by school districts, the reality is that students still struggle with bullying.
The Texas Education Code (TEC) defines bullying as a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power.
This can be through engaging in written, verbal or electronic means of expression, or physical conduct that causes a change in another student's emotional, mental or behavioral state, or causes puts their safety at risk.
According to the 2017 School Crime Supplement from the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice, 20% of students between 12 to 18 years old experienced bullying.
That decreased since 2005 when it was at 27%.
Hays CISD provided KVUE with a statement saying,
"Bullying is not tolerated at any school in Hays CISD – a “No Place for Hate” district.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions, according to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL).
Jonah, another student, has cerebral palsy and was bullied.
The medical instruments he wears makes him stand out.
The program focuses on five competency areas: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making.
SEL goes beyond anti-bullying. It also improves academic performance and cultural awareness.
The Texas Education Code places the responsibility of creating anti-bullying policies on each district.
Districts must create multiple avenues for students to report, with an anonymous app or being able to report to any trusted staff member.

]]> 2020-11-17 02:54:06 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930003462 https://www.kvue.com/article/news/education/schools/central-texas-bullying-in-schools-youth/269-8a0b02ec-f209-478d-ad8b-1d48e525b8d0 hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930025287 2020-11-17 03:08:43 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930025287 Reference hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930030145 Larned, T. (2020, February 10). Despite anti-bullying laws, students are still struggling. Here's the data from Central Texas school districts. https://www.kvue.com/article/news/education/schools/central-texas-bullying-in-schools-youth/269-8a0b02ec-f209-478d-ad8b-1d48e525b8d0]]> 2020-11-17 03:11:57 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930030145 Constitutional Law hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930036481 The Department of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) issued a Dear Colleague Letter addressing bullying of students with disabilities. ]]> 2020-11-17 03:16:07 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930036481 State Statutory Law hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930051271

Texas Education Code § 37.0832 (State Statutory Law) requires schools to establish policies preventing and mediating incidents of bullying that interfere with student's educational opportunities or substantially disrupt the orderly operation of school activities.

This requires school officials to determine what is a substantial disruption and what activities are protected by the first amendment. Increasingly difficult considering online activities and the courts have even struggled with a clear determination.

These obligations overlap with the same ones listed above in that bullying can be actionable harassment when it is severe, pervasive and objectively offensive.

Many of these issues have overlapping implications. For example, the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) issued a Dear Colleague Letter addressing bullying of students with disabilities. (Federal Administrative Law)

The Texas Education
Code defines bullying as an expression of conduct which the DISD school
board determines (TEA, 2020):
1. Will physically harm a student, damage a student’s property, or put
a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or
property.
2. A severe, persistent, or pervasive act that creates an intimidating,
threatening, or abusive environment for a student.

]]> 2020-11-17 03:25:31 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930051271 Judicial Law overlaps with Local Law hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930061080 Dumas High School Handbook Policy:
The Dumas Independent School District Board of Trustees adopted a district policy prohibiting bullying or any kind of
harassment (Dumas ISD, 2020). The district’s discrimination, harassment, and retaliation policy follows federal, state,
and local laws. FFH (LOCAL) is part of House Bill (HB) 1942 that is part of Texas Education Code § 25.0342 (U.S. Department of Education, 2014).

]]> 2020-11-17 03:32:09 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930061080 Administrative Law hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930063856 Requires that the discipline of a student with disabilities for bullying complies with federal law under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (U.S. Department of Education, 2020). The Office for Civil Rights
(Administrative Law) is part of the U.S. Department of Education. It further states and follows (U.S. Department of
Education, 2014):

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504)
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

]]> 2020-11-17 03:34:02 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/930063856 Reference hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937626717 U.S. Department of Education. (2014, October 21). Bullying of students with disabilities addressed in guidance to america's schools. https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/bullying-students-disabilities-addressed-guidance-america%E2%80%99sschools ]]> 2020-11-18 16:47:38 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937626717 hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937630905 U.S. Department of Education. (2014, October 21). Bullying of students with disabilities addressed in guidance to america's
schools.
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html]]> 2020-11-18 16:48:20 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937630905 Reference hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937639968 Texas Education Agency. (2020). Safe, supportive, and positive school climate. https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/mental-health/safe-supportive-and-positive-school-climate ]]> 2020-11-18 16:49:53 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937639968 References hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937673317 Dumas ISD. (2020). Dumas school district homepage.
https://www.dumasisd.org/]]> 2020-11-18 16:55:48 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937673317 References hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937713551 Texas Education Agency. (2020). Safe, supportive, and positive school climate. https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/mental-health/safe-supportive-and-positive-school-climate ]]> 2020-11-18 17:03:04 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937713551 hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937724906 U.S. Department of Education. (2014, October 21). Bullying of students with disabilities addressed in guidance to america's schools. https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws/texas]]> 2020-11-18 17:05:05 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937724906 Local Law- Dumas High School DISD Handbook hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937821484 At Dumas High school we:
(1) prohibit bullying, including cyberbullying
(2) prohibit retaliation against any person, witness, or another person who in good faith provides information regarding
bullying actions
(3) established a procedure for providing notice of an incident of bullying to parent or guardian quickly
(4) established the actions a student should take to get assistance
(5) have counseling options for a student who is a victim or a witness to bullying
(6) have reporting and investigation procedures
(7) prohibit school officials from disciplining a student who is the victim of bullying
(8) require that the discipline of a student with disabilities for bullying complies with federal law under the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (U.S. Department of Education, 2014). The Office for Civil Rights
(Administrative Law) is part of the U.S. Department of Education. It further states and follows (U.S. Department of
Education, 2014):
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504)
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ]]> 2020-11-18 17:22:06 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937821484 References hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937826453 Dumas ISD. (2020). Dumas school district homepage.
https://www.dumasisd.org/]]> 2020-11-18 17:22:57 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937826453 hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937835735 U.S. Department of Education. (2014, October 21). Bullying of students with disabilities addressed in guidance to america's schools. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.21.htm#21.451]]> 2020-11-18 17:24:38 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937835735 Ethical Principle- Dumas ISD Code of Conduct: Handbook section on bullying and hazing hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937879782 Any form of bullying is defined in the teacher code of conduct in the teacher handbook on the Dumas ISD website. This is extremely important for the staff to know the rules, ethical principles, and laws for bullying on our campus incase a case arises.

Bullying

Policy FFI

Bullying is defined by §TEC 37.0832. All employees are required to report student complaints of bullying, including cyber bullying, to campus principal. The district’s policy includes definitions and procedures for reporting and investigating bullying of students (Dumas ISD, 2020).

Hazing

Policy FNCC

Students must have prior approval from the principal or designee for any type of “initiation rites” of a school club or organization. While most initiation rites are permissible, engaging in or permitting “hazing” is a criminal offense. Any teacher, administrator, or employee who observes a student engaged in any form of hazing, who has reason to know or suspect that a student intends to engage in hazing, or has engaged in hazing must report that fact or suspicion to the designated campus administrator (Dumas ISD, 2020).
https://www.dumasisd.org/29003

]]> 2020-11-18 17:32:41 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/937879782 Reference hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938708640 Dumas ISD. (2020). Dumas school district homepage.
https://www.dumasisd.org/29003]]> 2020-11-18 20:16:38 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938708640 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938754032 2020-11-18 20:27:42 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938754032 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938756544 2020-11-18 20:28:20 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938756544 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938760628 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.21.htm#21.451]]> 2020-11-18 20:29:26 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938760628 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938763536 https://www.dumasisd.org/]]> 2020-11-18 20:30:08 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938763536 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938765238 https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws/texas]]> 2020-11-18 20:30:35 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938765238 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938767025 https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/mental-health/safe-supportive-and-positive-school-climate]]> 2020-11-18 20:31:05 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938767025 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938769067 https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html]]> 2020-11-18 20:31:37 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938769067 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938772095 https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/mental-health/safe-supportive-and-positive-school-climate]]> 2020-11-18 20:32:26 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938772095 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938773628 https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/bullying-students-disabilities-addressed-guidance-america%E2%80%99sschools]]> 2020-11-18 20:32:51 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938773628 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938776116 https://www.dumasisd.org/362299_3?personID=217548]]> 2020-11-18 20:33:32 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938776116 Connection hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938783629 As an educator, it is important to know the four sources of law and what each law states over the acts of bullying. Students should feel safe to go to school and learn. Educators have to look out for all students inside and outside the classroom. As a teacher, I have seen bullying, and it is my job to protect our students and abide by the laws in all four areas. The Texas Administrative Code states the responsibilities clearly over bullying.
Texas Administrative Code (2018) states:
(1) to protect the safety and welfare of Texas schoolchildren and school personnel;
(2) to ensure educators are morally fit and worthy to instruct or to supervise the youth
(3) to fairly and efficiently resolve
disciplinary proceedings ]]> 2020-11-18 20:35:29 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938783629 Link hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938793077 2020-11-18 20:38:04 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938793077 Reference Texas Administrative Code. (2018, October 21). hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938853870 https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=7&ch=247&rl=1]]> 2020-11-18 20:54:56 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938853870 Prevention of Bullying- Best Practices for Educators (If not followed you could fall into a compliance risk) hboggs1 https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938874007

Follow the laws that cover bullying in all four sources of law.

Teach kindness and empathy to students.

Make connections and build relationships in the classroom

Watch for behaviors that could lead up to bullying

Model positivity campus wide

Have an anti-bullying program at school

Have effective conflict management lessons and skills to teach staff

Once an incident has been reported, follow district policies to ensure the safety of the victim

interview witnesses and gather evidence immediately

notify the parents or guardians of affected students, and provide targeted support to the students involved.

]]> 2020-11-18 21:01:07 UTC https://padlet.com/hboggs1/4kspaohkagqbd19v/wish/938874007