1.  
A Presentation on Bullying
Sponsored by Richards Middle PTA
October 3, 2013
6:30 PM
Welcome Parents

2. Richards Middle School Principal

3. Introduction of Topic
Discipline
State Law
PBIS
Advisement
No Place for Hate
Counseling Program

4. Gwinnett County Public Schools (“GCPS” or “District”) is
committed to creating a safe, positive environment for all of
our students, staff, parents, stakeholders, and community
partners. GCPS will work to assure that all students and
staff are well motivated, fully aware of their potential, and
dedicated to pursue excellence in academic
knowledge, skills and behavior. GCPS believes that all
children can thrive in a safe learning environment. The
District utilizes a range of activities to
recognize, celebrate, and reward positive behavior at the
classroom, school and district levels.

5.  Rule 1: Disruption/Interference with School
 Rule 2: Damage/Destruction/Misuse of School Property
 Rule 3: Damage/Destruction/Misuse of Private Property
 Rule 4: Abuse/Threats/Intimidation/Assault on a School Employee
 Rule 5: Abuse/Threats/Intimidation/Assault by Student on Student
 Rule 6: Weapons/Dangerous Instruments/Explosive/Implosive
Devices
 Rule 7: Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco
 Rule 8: Disregard of Directions or Commands
 Rule 9: Sexual Misconduct/Indecency
 Rule 10: Unexcused Absences
 Rule 11: Other Conduct Subversive to Good Order
 Rule 12: Repeated Violations/Misbehavior/Chronic Disciplinary
Problem Students
 Rule 13: School Bus Infractions

6. The decision to charge a student for violation of this
Student Conduct Behavior Code shall be made by the
administration of the local school. The range of
consequences for misconduct that can be assigned by a
local school administrator and staff may include:

7. Level I discipline is used for minor acts of misconduct
which interfere with the good order of school. Following
appropriate teacher intervention, students may be referred
to an administrator. Consequences range from an
administrative conference to three (3) days of out-of-school
suspension.

8. Level II discipline is used for intermediate acts of
misconduct which interfere with the good order of school.
Students should be referred to an administrator.
Consequences will involve any combination of in-school or
out-of-school suspensions ranging from four (4) to nine (9)
days. The only exception to this “combination” shall be for
those first-time offenders of the Level II violations listed in
Rule 7. Those first-offenders may receive a nine-day out-of-
school suspension, which will be reduced to three days if
the student and parent opt to participate in the CLFC
Program.

9. Level III discipline is used for serious acts of misconduct.
Students should be referred to an administrator. The
consequence for these acts of misconduct is up to a 10-
day, out-of-school suspension pending a disciplinary
hearing for long-term suspension, placement in an
alternative program, or permanent expulsion.

10. For any given school year, the following steps will be taken
to address each disciplinary referral a student receives that
involves (results in) a suspension (In-School Suspension or
Out-of-School Suspension):

11.  Referral #1: Parent is given written notification of violation and
consequence.
 Referral #2: Parent is given written notification of violation and
consequence.
 Referral #3: Parent is given written notification of violation and
consequence; notified of consequences for next (4th) referral.
 Referral #4: Invite parent to help develop a Behavioral
Correction Plan.
 Referral #5: Possible Rule 12 Notification Charge (principal’s
discretion).
 Referral #6: Possible Rule 12 Notification Charge (principal’s
discretion).
 Referral #7: Student must be placed on a Rule 12.

12.  The 7-step plan is a guideline and it can be modified in
individual cases at the discretion of the Office of Student
Discipline and Behavioral Interventions.
 Modifications to the 7-step plan may be used with
students entering the district with lengthy
discipline/criminal records. Schools may consult the
Office of Student Discipline and Behavioral Interventions
about an appropriate sequence of steps for these
students.

13. In addition to this Student Conduct Behavior Code
(“Code”), GCPS has various policies that govern conduct in
the District. A copy of those policies can be obtained at
www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us (click on the quick link for Board of
Education) or call the Office of the Executive Director for
Administration and Policy at 678-301-6005.

14.  
Bullying

15. * STATE LAW DEFINES BULLYING AS: 1) any willful attempt or
threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by
an apparent present ability to do so, 2) any intentional display of
force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect
immediate bodily injury or harm or 3) any intentional
written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would
perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate
that: a) causes substantial physical harm, b) substantially
interferes with a student’s education, c) is so severe, persistent
or pervasive that it creates an intimidating/threatening
educational environment or d) disrupts the orderly operation of
school. Upon finding that a student in grades 6-12 has
committed the offense of bullying for the third time in a school
year, such student shall be assigned to an alternative school.
O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.4. Retaliation for reports of bullying will not

16.  Unwanted teasing, threats, taunts and intimidation
through words and/or gestures
 Physical violence and/or attacks
 Extortion
 Destruction of school or personal property
 Theft of money and/or personal possessions
 Sexual, religious, or racial harassment
 Public humiliation
 Social exclusion, including incitement and/or coercion
 Rumors or spreading of falsehoods
 Stalking

17.  Cyberstalking or engaging in conduct to communicate, or to
cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or
through the use of electronic mail or electronic
communication, directed at or about a specific
person, causing substantial emotional distress to the victim
 Cyberbullying or the willful, hostile and repeated harassment
and intimidation of a person through the use of digital
technologies, including, but not limited to, email, blogs, social
networking websites (e.g. MySpace, Facebook, etc.) chat
rooms, texts, and instant messaging
 The use of cameras or camera phones to take embarrassing
photographs of students or school employees and posting
them online
 Sending abusive or threatening text messages or instant
messages
 Using websites to circulate gossip and rumors to other
students

18.  Any teacher or other school employee who has reliable
information that would lead a reasonable person to
suspect that someone is a target of bullying shall
immediately report it to the school principal or designee.

19. 1. Investigate
Upon receipt of any report of bullying, schools will direct an
immediate investigation involving appropriate personnel.
This investigation may include interviewing the alleged
perpetrator(s) and victim(s), identified
witnesses, teacher(s), staff, review of video
surveillance, etc. Furthermore, school police, school
counselors, school social workers and/or other support staff
may be utilized for their expertise as determined by the
circumstances of the matter.
2. Notify
At some appropriate time during or after the
investigation, parents/guardians of the accused and the
victim must be notified. If the incident involves an injury or
similar situation, appropriate medical attention should be
provided and the parent/guardian should be notified
immediately.

20. 3. Discipline
Upon confirming that bullying has occurred, the accused
student should be charged with bullying and given an age-
appropriate consequence which shall include, at minimum
and without limitation, disciplinary action or counseling as
appropriate under the circumstances. Students in grades
six through twelve found to have committed the offense of
bullying for the third time in a school year shall be assigned
to an alternative school. Schools should clearly
communicate to all parties that retaliation following a report
of bullying is strictly prohibited and may result in strong
penalties.
4. Follow Up
Take care of the needs of the accused and the victim
through a planned method of after-care and follow up.
Reiterate to all the previously stated prohibition on
retaliation.

21.  Grades 6 - 12 – Students found in violation of a third
offense of bullying in a school year are required to be
assigned to the alternative school through the panel
process.
 Each local board of education shall establish and publish
in its local board policy a method to notify the parent,
guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a
student upon a finding by a school administrator that
such student has committed an offense of bullying or is a
victim of bullying

22.  Victim
 Bully – the ringleader
 Assistant Bullies – those that join in
 Reinforcers – provide an audience, may laugh and
encourage the bully
 Outsiders – stay away and don’t take sides
 Defenders (Heroes) – step up and stick up

23.  Research has repeatedly shown that in order to reduce
bullying, the culture of the school must change
 The bully will only keep bullying as long as there is an
audience and it is cool to bully.

24. What is required to reduce bullying
in schools is nothing less than a
change in the school climate and in
norms for behavior. This requires a
comprehensive, school-wide effort
involving the entire school
community.

25.  Approaches that simply crack down on individual bullies
are seldom effective.
 However, when there is a schoolwide or districtwide
commitment to end bullying, bullying can be reduced by
up to 50%.

26.  
Richards Middle School utilizes a range of
activities to recognize, celebrate, and
reward positive behavior at the classroom
and school level.

27. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an
evidence-based, data-driven framework proven to reduce
disciplinary incidents, increase a school’s sense of safety
and support improved academic outcomes. More than
19,000 U.S. schools are implementing PBIS and saving
countless instructional hours otherwise lost to discipline.

28. The premise of PBIS is that continual teaching, combined
with acknowledgement or feedback of positive student
behavior will reduce unnecessary discipline and promote a
climate of greater productivity, safety and learning. PBIS
schools apply a multi-tiered approach to prevention, using
disciplinary data and principles of behavior analysis to
develop school-wide, targeted and individualized
interventions and supports to improve school climate for all
students. (OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive
Behavior Interventions & Supports, 2009)

29.  2010 - 2011, Richards became a "Trained" PBIS School
(Like earning a Bronze Medal)
 2011 - 2012, Richards became an "Emergent" PBIS
School (Like earning a Silver Medal)
 2012 - 2013, Richards became an "Operational" PBIS
School (Like earning a Gold Medal)Trained, Emergent,
and Operational are Georgia PBIS levels.

32. Advisement Program
(Counselors)
PBIS Team
Data-driven decisions
Check-In Check-Out
PBIS Events

33. PBIS Referral

35.  Facebook
 Twitter
 Social Media
 Ball Park
 Gym
 Grocery Store
 Home & Car

36.  
Counseling
Program

37.  
RMS Counselors

38. *Activities that meet the students’
immediate needs and concerns.
*This service is available to all students
and often initiated through self-referral.

39.  Short term, in nature
 Helps students who express difficulties dealing with
relationships, personal concerns, or normal
developmental tasks.
 Helps students identify problems, causes, alternatives
and possible consequences of behavior.
 Not therapy. When necessary, referrals made to
appropriate community resources.

40.  Advisement
 Mentoring
 Peer Mediation
 No Place for Hate

41.  27 8th grade students (applied/selected in Spring 2013
 Participate in 8 weeks of Leadership Training (Topics:
leadership skills, communication
skills, diversity, advocacy, decision making)
 Participate in these activities throughout the school year:
o Peer Mediation
o Classroom Helpers
o Leaders of No Place For Hate Club
o New Student Ambassadors
o Peer Tutoring/Mentoring
o Great Days of Service, Red Ribbon Week, 5th Grade
Articulation, Career Day, and other school-wide activities

42. School-wide anti-bullying
initiative which proactively
teaches anti-bullying behaviors
Each Friday, a lesson or
broadcast is provided to
stimulate conversation about
positive student behavior

43.  Bullying
 Gossip
 Tolerance/Diversity
 Kindness towards others
 Conflict Resolution Skills
 Respect for Self
 Respect for Others

44. County Mentoring
Girl County Mentoring Pilot
Central HS Peer Leaders

45.  The techniques of conflict resolution and peer mediation
are used to help students learn how to make changes in
the way they get along with others.
 Select 8th Grade Peer Leaders are trained with a
problem-solving process to use with fellow students who
are in conflict with each other.

46.  The Peer Mediation process helps clarify the nature of
the dispute between two students.
 Trained Peer Mediators help the two disputants identify a
solution that is satisfactory to both.
 Students become active in a problem-solving process
and assume greater responsibility for their own
problems.
 Students learn to share ideas and feelings more openly
and directly with each other.

47. RMS is participating in a school wide initiative which
empowers students to advocate for their right to a safe and
bully-free school environment.
No Place For Hate embraces the idea that students will
respect themselves and others, regardless of their
differences.

48.  NPFH/Bullying
Pledge
 NPFH Wrist Bands
 NPFH Show during
Advisement
 NPFH Club
 NPFH T-Shirts