Bullying Prevention

Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) strives to create safe, healthy and nurturing learning environments for every student. DJUSD understands that schools and communities that are physically and emotionally safe for all students promote and support academic achievement, citizenship, school attendance and engagement. Building this environment necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing education and training for students and staff, partnering with parents and community organizations for site and district programming, collecting and learning from data on student wellness, counseling and crisis prevention services, and Board policies and protocols. Through the dedicated work of parents, staff and students, progress is being made in each of these areas in DJUSD.

DJUSD staff promote student learning in the areas of social-emotional development by providing students with safe and age appropriate opportunities to resolve conflicts, develop strong decision making skills and enhance empathy. Instruction educates students about the negative impact of bullying, discrimination, intimidation, and harassment based on actual or perceived immigration status, religious beliefs and customs or an other individual bias or prejudice. The district recognizes that some conflicts are part of the normal developmental process that children experience and that staff must ensure the safety of children while offering genuine opportunities to build resilience and strong social skills for children. The district also maintains a commitment to safety and therefore, it is a violation of district policy for a student to bully, harass, or intimidate another student and exhibit behaviors that infringe upon the safety or emotional well-being of any student; including acts of bullying, intimidation or harassment through words and actions.

School personnel who witness any act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying shall take immediate action to intervene (Education Code section 234.1(b)(1)). Every member of the school community is responsible for promoting a positive school culture and ensuring the physical and emotional health of students. Further, there is an expectation that all students, staff, parents, and volunteers demonstrate behavior that is respectful and civil in order to model and support safe school communities.

If you have any questions, contact the Student Support Services Office at (530) 757-5300 ext. 140 or [email protected]. Find out about how DJUSD uses Restorative Practices.


What is Bullying?

In general, the District considers bullying to be negative student behavior or action, including electronic communications, that intends to harm, involves a power imbalance between the aggressor and the targeted student, and is repeated over time. This type of behavior will be addressed with interventions and corrective actions to eliminate and prevent the negative behavior.

However, for purposes of student suspension or expulsion, bullying is defined under California Education Code (48900(r)) and discussed in DJUSD Administrative Regulations (5144.1/5145.3). The definition is paraphrased below:

Bullying is defined as any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act(s) or conduct, including electronic communications, directed toward one or more students that has or can reasonably be predicted to have, the effect of: 

  • Reasonable fear of harm to person or property.
  • Substantially detrimental effect on physical or mental health.
  • Substantial interference with academic performance.
  • Substantial interference with the ability to participate in or benefit from school services, activities, or privileges.
  • Bullying shall also include any act of: sexual harassment, hate violence or harassment, threat or intimidation as defined in Education Code 48900.2, 48900.3, and 48900.4 and that has any of the effects described above. 

Bullying is one form of aggression, discrimination, and oppression.  Even if negative behavior does not meet the definitions presented above, it must still be addressed.

What can Bullying look like? (Types of Bullying)

Behaviors which constitute bullying may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Verbal: Hurtful name-calling, teasing, gossiping, making threats, making slurs or epithets, making rude noises, or spreading hurtful rumors.
  • Nonverbal: Posturing, making gang signs, leering, staring, stalking, destroying property, insulting or threatening notes, using graffiti or graphic images, or exhibiting inappropriate and/or threatening gestures or actions.
  • Physical: Hitting, punching, pushing, shoving, poking, kicking, tripping, blocking egress, strangling, hair pulling, fighting, beating, pinching, slapping, "pantsing", biting or spitting.
  • Emotional/Psychological: Rejecting, terrorizing, extorting, defaming, intimidating, humiliating, blackmailing, manipulating friendships, isolating, shunning, ostracizing, using peer pressure, or rating or ranking personal characteristics.
  • Cyber-bullying: Sending insulting or threatening messages by phone, e-mail, Web sites, or any other electronic or written communication.
Reporting of Bullying

Students who believe that they are being bullied, have witnessed an act of bullying, or have knowledge of any incidents involving acts of bullying are strongly encouraged to report the incidents to a school official. Upon receiving a written or oral notification of bullying, the site administrator will investigate the matter to determine how to best resolve the issue promptly and appropriately. Issues such as the age of the children, developmental stage, and safety concerns shall be taken into consideration in addressing and resolving complaints of bullying.

While not all reports may meet the legal definition of bullying, any incident of inappropriate behavior is dealt with promptly and deliberately. Students who believe that they are being harassed or discriminated against at school or at school activities should immediately bring the matter to the attention of the site administrator or school staff. Cases that involve bullying or harassment based on protected status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, or mental or physical disability or any other reason, may be resolved utilizing the district’s Uniform Complain Procedure.  See Complaints page for further information.

Support for Students

The District strives to ensure that every student experiences a safe and welcoming school environment, free from bullying. When students do experience or witness bullying, schools may offer a variety of supports, such as counseling, check-ins, social skills groups, and other programs or services. This is to ensure that students feel safe at school and understand what to do whenever confronted with bullying. Interventions may be offered to the target, aggressor, or bystander. Please contact your site for specific school supports and programs available.

Bullying Prevention Resources

Across the nation, bullying has become one of the primary issues of concern within K-12 education. It is important that incidents of bullying and harassment, especially as they may relate to disability, race/ethnicity, gender, gender-identity, gender expression, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation, be addressed and investigated seriously. Best practices, effective strategies, interventions, and resources to prevent and address bullying can be found below.

Resources:

What is Bullying?
¿Qué es el acoso escolar?
How to Prevent Bullying in the Classroom
Bullying and Hate-Motivated Behavior Prevention
National Bullying Prevention Center
Teaching Tolerance
Anti-Defamation League