According to Colorado Revised Statutes regarding education and school [C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (2013)], bullying is defined as:
“Bullying means any written or verbal expression, or physical or electronic act or gesture, or a pattern thereof, that is intended to coerce, intimidate, or cause any physical, mental, or emotional harm to any student. Bullying is prohibited against any student for any reason, including but not limited to any such behavior that is directed toward a student on the basis of his or her academic performance or against whom federal and state laws prohibit discrimination upon any of the based described in section 22-32-109 (1)(II)(I). This definition is not intended to infringe upon the right guaranteed to any person by the first amendment to the United States constitution or to prevent the expression of any religious, political, or philosophical view.”
FRCS Bullying Policy
FRCS prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying of a student. A safe and civil environment is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards; bullying, and other disruptive or violent behaviors that violate Biblical and moral codes of conduct, disrupt both a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its students in a safe and disciplined environment. Since students learn by example, school administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers should be commended for demonstrating appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Bullying and harassment are considered category III discipline issues and will be dealt with accordingly. (More information is available in the Discipline section for each campus)
Steps to take if your child is being bullied:
- Focus on your child. Gather information.
- Listen carefully; be attentive and supportive to your child. Assure your child that you will take care of it and they have done nothing wrong. Remind them that God loves them and telling you was the right thing to do. Never tell your child to ignore the bullying.
- Encourage your child to describe in detail the bullying incident. Gather necessary information as your child describes what happened. Ask your child who was involved, where the bullying took place, and for how long or when it took place.
- Find out as much as you can about the bullying tactics used. Are there any other children or staff who may have witnessed the bullying?
- Empathize with your child. Tell them that the bullying is wrong, and it is not their fault. Praise your child for telling you what happened. Assure them that you will think about what needs to be done and you will let them know what you are going to do.
- Contact your child’s teacher, school counselor, or principal.
- Give factual information about the incident your child experienced including who, what, where, when, and how. Keep a detailed record of the episodes and communication with the school.
- Stress that you want to work closely with the staff in finding a solution to the problem, for the sake of all the children.
- Expect the bullying to stop. Monitor your child’s behavior, and talk regularly with your child and the school staff to see whether the bullying has stopped. If the bullying persists, contact school authorities again, and continue to monitor the situation.
- If the bullying persists it may constitute stalking, and law enforcement needs to be notified. The protection of your child’s well being and happiness is a responsibility that FRCS takes seriously.
- Help your child become more resilient to bullying.
- Help find and develop your child’s talents and positive attributes. Consider involving your child in school music, athletics, arts, and organizational clubs at FRCS. Finding your child’s talents will help develop self confidence among their peers.
- Help your child meet new friends outside the school environment through other Christian community clubs and activities. This can help rebuild self esteem and provide a new start.
- Teach your child safety strategies and to seek help from adults if they are feeling threatened. Role playing with your child can be very beneficial in teaching them who and what to communicate when being bullied.
- Find out why your child is being bullied. Is your child hyperactive or overly aggressive? Does he/she lack social skills or have learning difficulties? You may want to consider seeking help from a counselor to help your child learn the informal social rules of their peer group.
- Keep your home a safe and loving place. Always encourage open lines of communication. If you or your child need additional help, seek help from school counselor and/or mental health professional.
Students: Steps to take if you or another student is being bullied
- Tell your parents; telling is not tattling.
- Tell a trusted teacher, counselor, or principal, or have your parents talk to the school.
- Do not retaliate or get angry; respond evenly and firmly, or say nothing, walk away, and get help.
- Develop new friendships, and stick up for each other. Join school-sponsored or community and Christian sponsored activities and clubs.
- Be and act confident; confident students are less likely to be intimidated and bullied.
- Avoid areas that are unsupervised. Know your surroundings. If there is an area where bullying may happen, avoid going there. If you have to enter that area do not go alone—take a friend or teacher.
