Bullying

Bullying is defined as repeated and ongoing negative actions—whether physical, verbal, written, or electronic—by one or more individuals that are severe or pervasive. These actions may cause or be reasonably predicted to cause physical or emotional harm, fear, or disruption to a student's well-being, safety, or ability to participate in school activities.  At Valley View, we take all reports of bullying seriously. Every student has the right to feel secure in mind, body, and property.  Our counselors, administrators, teachers, and staff are here to support and protect our students.

• Bullying and its negative effects erode students' ability to learn. Bullying is recognized as behavior that can span from minor offenses like name-calling, fights, and purposeful social exclusion to more serious criminal acts of libel, repeated physical attacks, and sexual harassment. 
• In order to combat potential incidents that may negatively impact a student's opportunity to succeed academically and feel safe at school, the district has taken the position that all students have a right to a safe and healthy school environment free of bullying and its ill effects. The district, schools, and community have an obligation to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and acceptance. 
• The district will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of any student. A student shall not intimidate or harass another student through words or actions. Such behavior may include direct physical contact, such as hitting or shoving; verbal assaults, such as teasing or name-calling; and intentional social isolation or manipulation. 
• To ensure that bullying does not occur on school campuses, the district will provide training in recognizing bully behaviors, the prevention of bullying, and will cultivate acceptance and understanding in all students and staff to develop each school's ability to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment. Teachers should discuss this policy with students in ways appropriate to their ages and should assure them that they need not endure any form of bullying. This policy will be discussed with students at the beginning of each semester and throughout the year as necessary. Appropriate interventions shall be made available, as needed, to any child who has been the object of bullying. 
• Each school should adopt a Code of Conduct to be followed by every student while he/she is on school grounds, when traveling to and from school or a school-sponsored activity, whether on or off campus, and during the lunch period. The Code of Conduct should include, but not be limited to, the following actions and consequences. 

1. Corrective actions for a student who engages in bullying of any type may include counseling, behavioral intervention and education, and, if the behavior is severe or pervasive as defined in Ed Code 48900, may include suspension or expulsion in accordance with the district policies and regulations. 

2. Students are expected to immediately report incidents of bullying to a staff member whether they are a victim or a witness. Students may also report bullying or other safety information through We Tip, See Something Say Something, found on our VVMS website.

3. Staff shall promptly investigate each complaint of bullying in a thorough and confidential manner. 

The procedures for intervening in bullying behavior include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1. All staff, students, and parents/guardians will receive a summary of the policy prohibiting bullying at the beginning of the school year as part of the student handbook and/or information packet, as part of New Student Orientation, and as part of the school system's notification to parents/guardians. 

2. Staff members are expected to immediately intervene when they become aware of a bullying incident. 

3. People witnessing or experiencing bullying are encouraged to report the incident. 

4. All incidents involving bullying will be addressed in a safe and confidential manner. 

If the complainant student or the parent/guardian of the student believes that the investigation or complaint was not resolved appropriately, the student or the parent/guardian of the student should contact the principal or designee. The school system prohibits retaliatory behavior against any complainant or any participant in the complaint process. 

Simi Valley USD | 5000 | BP 5131.3 Students