KING’S OF ISULAN

Kalawag 1 Ext., Isulan, Sultan Kudarat

c/o Phone: (064) 201-3386 Email:

KCIAnti- Bullying Policy

Rationale

This policy is created to help prevent and respond to bullying as part of our overall Conduct and Discipline policy, as well as raising awareness of our legal responsibilities in this area to stop bullying. This will provide safe and happy environment to learn in achieving the goals of our institution as we promote equality and diversity, and ensure the safety and well-being of all students.

Aims of this Policy

This policy aims to:

  • Raise awareness among students that bullying in any form is unacceptable and that everyone has shared responsibility in promoting a safe and secure environment.
  • Promote a right Christian perspective where respect, relationships and responsibilities are key to developing social and emotional well-being.
  • Ensure a consistent response to bullying, with effective support in place for both the person being bullied and the person doing the bullying.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

As used in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the following terms shall be defined as:

a. “Act” refers to Republic Act No. 10627, otherwise known, as the “Anti-Bullying Act of 2013″;

b. “Bullying” refers to any severe, or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at school for the other student; infringing on the rights of another student at school; or materially and substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a school; such as, but not limited to, the following:

1. Any unwanted physical contact between the bully and the victim like punching, pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping, tickling, headlocks, inflicting school pranks, teasing, fighting and the use of available objects as weapons;

2. Any act that causes damage to a victim’s psyche and/or emotional well-being;

3. Any slanderous statement or accusation that causes the victim undue emotional distress like directing foul language or profanity at the target, name-calling, tormenting and commenting negatively on victim’s looks, clothes and body;

4. “Cyber- bullying” or any bullying done through the use of technology or any electronic means. The term shall also include any conduct resulting to harassment, intimidation, or humiliation, through the use of other forms of technology, such as, but not limited to texting, email, instant messaging, chatting, internet, social media, online games, or other platforms or formats as defined in DepED Order No. 40, s. 2012; and

5. Any other form of bullying as may be provided in the school’s child protection or anti-bullying policy, consistent with the Act and this IRR.

b. 1. The term “bullying” shall also include:

1. “Social bullying” – refers to any deliberate, repetitive and aggressive social behavior intended to hurt others or to belittle another individual or group.

2. “Gender-based bullying” – refers to any act that humiliates or excludes a person on the basis of perceived or actual sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).

c. “Bully” – refers to any student who commits acts of bullying as defined by the Act or this IRR.

d. “Bullied” or “Victim” – refers to any student who experiences the acts of bullying or retaliation as defined by the Act or this IRR.

e. “Bystander” – refers to any person who witnesses or has personal knowledge of any actual or perceived acts or incidents of bullying or retaliation as defined by this IRR.

f. “Learning center” – refers to learning resources and facilities of a learning program for out-of-school youth and adults as defined in DepED Order. No. 43, s. 2013.

g. “Service provider” – refers to any person who is not a teacher or school personnel but who works in the school, such as, but not limited to, security guards, canteen personnel, utility workers, and transportation service personnel.

h. “Student” – refers to a person who attends classes in any level of basic education, and includes a pupil or learner as defined in DepED Order No. 40, s. 2012.

Implementing the policy

For the successful implementation of the policy, the school will ensure that the following statements are true for students who experience bullying:

  • They are heard
  • They know how to report bullying and get help
  • They are confident in the school’s ability to deal with the bullying
  • Steps are taken to help them feel safe again
  • They are helped to rebuild confidence and resilience
  • They know how they can get support from others.

For students who engage in bullying:

  • Sanctions and learning programs hold them to account for their behavior and

help them to face up to the harm they have caused

  • They learn to behave in ways which do not cause harm in future because they have developed their emotional skills and knowledge
  • They learn how they can take steps to repair the harm they have caused.

For the Entire School:

  • The whole academe community is clear about its anti-bullying stand
  • Teachers and other members of the institution are fully engaged in developing and reviewing anti-bullying work in the school
  • All students are clear about the roles they can take in preventing bullying, including the role of bystanders.

For The Administration, the Principal, Student and Pupil’s Council President and officers, and other staff:

  • To develop policies which meet the standard of disciplineof the school
  • To promote a climate where bullying and violence are not tolerated and

cannot flourish

  • To continually develop best-practice based on knowledge of what works
  • To review the anti-bullying policy every two yearsand the policy and procedures

are updated as necessary

  • Curriculum opportunities are used to address bullying
  • Student council support are in place to prevent and respond to bullying
  • All staff take part in relevant professional development, and are clear about their roles and responsibilities in preventing and responding to bullying
  • All staff are aware of the importance of modelling positive relationships
  • To work in partnership with parents, other schools and academies to

For parents:

  • They are clear that the school does not tolerate bullying
  • They are aware of correct procedures to use if they have concerns about their child being bullied or does not feel safe to learn
  • They have confidence that the school will take any complaint about bullying

seriously and investigate/resolve as necessary, and that the academy systems will deal with the bullying in a way which protects their child

  • They are clear about ways in which they can complement the school on the

anti-bullying policy or procedures.

Sanctions and Disciplinary actions

Our sanctions will ensure that they address bullying in a way which does not lead to intensification but resolution and which gives the best chance that bullying will not be repeated. We will consider sanctions under our School’s Discipline Policy, including:

  • Giving Demerits
  • Suspension
  • Withdrawal of break and lunchtime privileges
  • Withholding participation in any school events that are not an essential part of

the curriculum.

It will also include permanent exclusion from the school if other strategies and sanctions do not resolve the problem, permanent exclusion may be justified in the most serious and persistent cases, particularly where violence is involved. Refer to Student’s handbook pp.

Reporting and recording incidents of bullying

We encourage students to report bullying in confidence using a variety of methods.

However, if student safety is at risk then the teachers must make necessary actions to ensure the student’s safety against the bully.

A range of strategies will be used to encourage reporting:

  • Peer mentors
  • Email systems/text messages
  • Report to trusted student leaders
  • Talking to teachers, or any other staff with whom the child feels comfortable
  • Record and keep reports in the discipline office and furnish a copy for the guidance counselor and principal

Prevention and Interventions strategies

We will ensure that our anti bullying campaign will sustain with the following strategies and interventions:

  • We use our positive school values to foster an environment of respect
  • We use curriculum through our Home Group Lesson program to teach students about respectful relationships
  • Our school fosters a caring environment where students are related to as individuals
  • We aim to teach students about violence prevention, conflict resolution, anger management and problem solving
  • We develop policies to promote student safety
  • We value and celebrate diversity

Intervention strategies include:

  • Counseling for those bullied and bullying
  • Contacting parents to discuss strategies
  • Consequences for bullies (including suspension for cyber bullying that occurs outside the school)

Post-intervention strategies include:

  • Monitoring those bullied to ensure their continued safety and well-being

DATE APPROVED: 25 JUNE 2015

DATE FOR REVIEW: JUNE 2016

APPROVED BY: KCIANTIBULLYING COMMITTEE

(SGD.) ELENA G, BARKER

Director

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