Legal Padlet by Julian Garcia https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505 Angelo State University en-us 2019-07-20 14:54:28 UTC 2019-07-21 20:30:49 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide 1- Perspective, Audience, Topic jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371752892 This Padlet is completed in the Elementary School Principal perspective.
 An elementary school teacher's guide to prevent bullying/cyber-bullying.

This topic was chosen because in recent years, the amount of bullying, cyber-bullying cases have increased. Teen suicide has also risen and the main reason is because of bullying, whether physical, emotional, mental, and through electronics. This guide is set up with the intention to give an elementary staff the legal aspects of identifying and reporting bullying. ]]> 2019-07-20 14:57:19 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371752892 Slide 2- Interview jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371753429 I interviewed Mr. Elias Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez is the Auxiliary Coordinator for the Human Resource Department in the Harlandale Independent School District. Previous to this position Mr. Hernandez served as a classroom teacher, academic coordinator, and principal for several years. 

When asked about the importance of bullying Mr. Hernandez and I were on the same page about it being very critical for student success. If a student is being bullied, then it deflates the student and does not give the student a chance to succeed. He stated that schools are required to address bullying and there are state requirements to develop a plan, and set appropriate consequences for the student doing the bullying. Also it's important to set accommodations for the victim. E. Hernandez (personal communication, July 6, 2019) stated "Bullying is so widespread with the use of media and this area is always evolving where students are always finding new ways to bully others and as those new ways are developing, districts and the state are constantly adjusting policies and procedures to meet the needs and thus be able to address the situation."  

Mr. Hernandez was then asked what 3 best practices would he recommend for teachers and administrators. E. Hernandez (personal communication, July 6, 2019) stated first a teacher needs to develop effective classroom management to prevent students from having the opportunities to be off task and create bullying type situations. 
Second that teachers and administrators need to be consistent on addressing discipline issues in the classroom so that the students know what is wrong, and what is not tolerated. 
The school also has to have good communication with the parents. He stated not to allow incidences to occur and then let the parent know. He stated that parents need to be notified of all situations as they happen. School leaders should also review updates that the district provides when they attend legal conferences at the state level.

School administrators should watch for lawsuits against school districts, specifically how they identified bullying and addressed it. E. Hernandez (personal communication, July 6, 2019) also stated that seeing what changes are going to be made so that no student falls through the cracks. Suicide cases that are caused by bullying in school also need to be paid attention to which has been on the rise recently and reviewing the courts decisions. This will allow schools to know their responsibilities and find solutions so that infractions are not repeated. ]]> 2019-07-20 15:13:29 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371753429 Slide 3- Professional Association jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371753438 The National Education Association has shared an article for schools for reducing bullying. The NEA gives 5 tips for reducing bullying, but they all stem from one main idea which is creating a positive environment. Everyone needs to be involved if we want to tackle this issue.
(2017). Educators share five ways to reduce bullying, harassment and bias all year long. edjustice. Retrieved from https://neaedjustice.org/2017/10/31/educators-share-five-ways-reduce-bullying-harassment-bias-year-long/]]> 2019-07-20 15:13:44 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371753438 Slide 5- Current News Article #2 jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371753603 The article attached from EducationDive is about the use of school resource officers and how they need social emotional learning training. In some schools, they have seen a decline in bullying where school resource officers have a presence.
Campisi, J. (2019, March 28). School resource officers need SEL training, experts say-but their preparation 'lacks consistency'. EDUCATIONDIVE. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/school-resource-officers-need-sel-training-experts-say-but-their-prepara/550428/.]]> 2019-07-20 15:19:29 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371753603 Slide 4- Current News Article #1 jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371753604 The article attached from Education Weekly discusses several issues that Texas had to face in it's legislation. One key issue that was brought about was cyber-bullying. This piece of legislation required school districts to provide an anonymous resource so students could report if they were victims of bullying/cyber-bullying. This makes it easier for the student to anonymously report if they were bullied. It also discusses that it is now required by school officials to report to the victims' parents within three days that their child was a victim of bullying.
Burnette II, D. (2017, June 6). Cyberbullying, Transgender-Student Rights Among K-12 Issues Tackled in Texas. Education Week. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/06/07/a-roundup-of-texas-legislatures-k-12-action.html]]> 2019-07-20 15:19:30 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371753604 Slide 6- Statutory Law jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371763239 Texas Senate Bill 179 also known as “David’s Law”. This makes districts responsible to include cyberbullying policies in their district policies. This bill also has districts start to implement an anonymous reporting software. Parents of students who cyberbully may be subject to being held responsible. https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/html/SB00179I.htm 
SB. 179.

]]> 2019-07-20 20:59:04 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371763239 Slide 7- Judicial Law jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371763270 Judicial Law- Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education- A student was sexually harassed at school which then led to her not being able to receive a quality education under Title IX. This law requires that students have an equal access to education, therefore with her being harassed she was not given a fair chance. 526. US. 629 (1999)
https://www.oyez.org/cases/1998/97-843

]]> 2019-07-20 21:00:12 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371763270 Slide 8- Constitutional Law jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371763739 Texas Education Code- Sec. 37.0832. Bullying Prevention Policies and Procedures.
This section discusses the different forms of bullying and what the definition of bullying is. This section also includes the policies that a school district must follow in regards to bullying.
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm#37.0832]]> 2019-07-20 21:16:46 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371763739 Slide 9- Administrative Law jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371764405 §103.1201. Standards for the Operation of School District Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs. This requires at DAEP facility for districts. The Texas Administrative Codes provide that students who need to be removed from the regular classroom settings in elementary through high school may be placed in a DAEP facility. This is from school and district administrative hearings when a decision is made. ]]> 2019-07-20 21:41:04 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371764405 Slide 10- Local Policy jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371764483 “Bullying behavior in school is not tolerated. Students who bully other students are subject to disciplinary action and placement at the district’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Placement center. (See also, Freedom from Discrimination).”
The handbook continues to state that cyberbullying is also included. (Parent-Student Handbook 2018-2019)

]]> 2019-07-20 21:45:12 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371764483 Slide 11- Code of Ethics jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371764610  National Association of Elementary School Principals code of ethics include that the well being of the students is the number one value in all of the decisions that we make. This connects to the topic because we have to ensure that we are providing a safe learning environment for the students. Also need to take into consideration the disciplinary action that is taken for a student who is doing the bullying. 
NAESP code 1.

]]> 2019-07-20 21:48:36 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371764610 Slide 12- Non-Law source jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371764743 This website is beneficial to all school staff because it informs you about what bullying is and the effects that it can have. It also has tips on how to prevent bullying, and how to respond to it. ]]> 2019-07-20 21:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371764743 Slide 13- Recommendations jgarcia841 https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371764816 1.) Always take a student seriously when they report bullying.
2.) If you are unsure if bullying is occurring, always ask and never just ignore it.
3.) Keep parents informed. It is state law to report to a parent when their child has become a victim to bullying.
4.) Seek the resources provided to help identify bullying.
5.) It is your duty to report it as a teacher, administration has to investigate the matter.
6.) Read district policy to ensure what is bullying.
7.) If someone is guilty of bullying, they will be sent to an alternative placement. Whether a different class, or DAEP.]]> 2019-07-20 21:55:59 UTC https://padlet.com/jgarcia841/53vbq5t8u505/wish/371764816