Bullying Prevention

Reporting Procedures

The Mustang Public Schools’ student conduct code prohibits bullying. 

Report any instances of bullying to the school administration immediately.

Statutory definition of harassment, intimidation, and bullying:

70 O.S. §24-100.3(c) of the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act defines the terms “bullying,” as including, but not limited to a pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or electronic communication, directed toward a student or group of students that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or physical results for the targeted individual or group and is communicated in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school's educational mission or the education of any student that a reasonable person should recognize will: 

A. Harm another student;

B. Damage another student’s property;

C. Place another student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or damage to the student’s property; 

D. Insult or demean any student or group of students in such a way as to disrupt or interfere With the school’s educational mission or the education of any student.

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According to experts in the field, bullying in general is the exploitation of a less powerful person by an individual taking unfair advantage of that person, which is repeated over time, and which inflicts a negative effect on the victim.

Students are encouraged to inform school personnel if they are the victim of or a witness to acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying.  Reports may be made anonymously. However, no formal disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

Parents should:

1. Report bullying when it occurs;

2. Take advantage of opportunities to talk to their children about bullying;

3. Inform the school immediately if they think their child is being bullied or is bullying others; 

4. Watch for symptoms that their child may be a victim of bullying and report those symptoms; 

5. Cooperate fully with school personnel in identifying and resolving incidents.

Reports shall be made immediately to the building principal or designee.

Bullying Investigations

Procedures

The procedure for investigating reported incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying or threatening behavior, per Board Policy #5080, is as follows: 

1. The matter should immediately be reported to the building principal or designee. If the bullying involved an electronic communication, a printed copy of the communication as well as any identifying information such as email address or web address shall be provided to the building principal or designee. As much detailed information as possible should be provided to the building principal or designee in written form to allow for a thorough investigation of the matter.
2. Upon receipt of a written report, the building principal or designee shall contact the superintendent or designee and begin an investigation to determine the severity of the incident and the potential for future violence.
3. If, during the course of the investigation, it appears that a crime may have been committed the building principal or designee and/or superintendent or designee shall notify local law enforcement and request that the alleged victim also contact law enforcement to report the matter for potential criminal investigation.
4. If it is determined that the school district’s discipline code has been violated, the building principal or designee shall follow district policies regarding the discipline of the student. The building principal or designee shall make a determination as to whether the conduct is actually occurring.
5. Upon completion of the investigation, the principal or designee or superintendent or designee may recommend that available community mental health care substance abuse or other counseling options be provided to the student, if appropriate. This may include information about the types of support services available to the student bully, victim, and any other students affected by the prohibited behavior. If such a recommendation is made, the administration shall request disclosure of any information that indicates an explicit threat to the safety of students or school personnel provided the disclosure of information does not violate the provisions or requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Section 2503 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Section 1376 of Title 59 of Oklahoma Statutes, or any other state or federal laws relating to the disclosure of confidential information.
6. Upon completion of an investigation, timely notification shall be provided to the parents or guardians of a victim of documented and verified bullying. This information should be provided within 3 school days of the conclusion of the investigation.
7. Upon completion of an investigation, timely notification shall be provided to the perpetrator of the documented and verified bullying. This information should be provided within 3 days of the conclusion of the investigation.