Friendly Teasing
- Equal power
- Neutral
- Purpose is to be playful
- Joins relationships
- Funny to both parties
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Hurtful Teasing
- Unequal power
- Sensitive topic
- Purpose is to upset
- Excludes
- Sarcastic
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Peer Conflicts
- Equal power
- Occurs occasionally
- Accidental
- Negotiations and options
- Withdrawing an opinion
- Relationship is valued
- Effort to resolve
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Bullying
- Imbalance of power
- Occurs repeatedly
- Intentional and serious
- Seeks to gain power
- Victim is vulnerable
- No remorse
- No effort to resolve
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Additional steps could be considered if the situation is against the protected class. The protected classes are: Race, Color, Religion, National Origin, Age, Sex, Pregnancy, Citizenship, Familial Status, Disability Status, Veteran Status, and Genetic Information.
Three questions guide school officials to determine when a behavior constitutes bullying. (1) Were the alleged bullying behaviors repeated and deliberate? (2) Did the alleged bullying behaviors inflict harm or suffering? (3) Is there an imbalance of real or perceived power between the alleged victim and alleged author of the behavior?
As a school community, staff teach children how to advocate for themselves and to advocate for others. They also incorporate lessons and programs to promote acceptance of all people. Over the course of a student’s educational experience at DASD he/she will participate in many activities relating to acceptance and tolerance, including: The Purple Hand Pledge, Pinwheels for Peace, Mix-it-Up Lunch, Kelso’s Choice, Bullying & Tolerance units, Character Development, a Harassment presentation, Restorative Circling/Practices, On-line Safety, Link Crew and Advisory.
Together we can instill the single most powerful tool against bullying—a welcoming, validating school environment built upon strong character values.
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