School Bus Code of Conduct - Bullying

Bullying: An intentional electronic, written, verbal, nonverbal, psychological, or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occur in and/or outside of school setting, that is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

1. Substantially interfering with a student’s education;
2. Creating a threatening school environment; or
3. Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Bullying is characterized by the following three criteria:

1. It is aggressive behavior or intentional harm doing.
2. It is carried out repeatedly over time.
3. It occurs within an interpersonal relationship where this is an imbalance of power.

Bullying behaviors may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Verbal: Racial slurs, name-calling, teasing, taunting, harassment, gossiping;
2. Nonverbal: Threatening, obscene gestures, isolation, exclusion, stalking;
3. Physical: Hitting, kicking, pushing, punching, getting another person to hurt someone;
4. Emotional (Psychological): Rejecting, humiliating, socially isolating, using peer pressure;
5. Cyberbullying: Any form of bullying that occurs by the use of electronic communication devices or through means of social networking, email, instant messaging, text messaging, photo and video sharing, and apps.
6. Hazing: Any action or situation which reckless or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a person or of property for the purpose of initiation or rite of passage.

Vida Charter School expects students to conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated capabilities with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, school staff, volunteers, and contractors.

Vida Charter School believes that standards for student behavior must be set cooperatively through interaction among the students, parents and guardians, staff, and community members of the school, producing an atmosphere that encourages students to grow in self-discipline. The development of this atmosphere requires respect for self and others, as well as for school and community property on the part of students, staff, and community members.

Vida Charter School believes that the best discipline is self-imposed, and that it is the responsibility of staff to use disciplinary situations as opportunities for helping students learn to assume responsibility and the consequences of their behavior. Staff members who interact with students shall apply best practices designed to prevent discipline problems and encourage students’ abilities to develop self-discipline.

Since bystanders can either support or help prevent these behaviors, the school prohibits both active and passive support for acts of harassment, discrminiation, bias, or bullying. Students are expected to discourage these behaviors, defend the victim, redirect the situation away from bullying or harassment, report witnessed incidents, and/or get help from an adult in these situations.