By JOE BOCANEGRA
Special to the NEWS
Last Tuesday evening the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a comprehensive anti-bullying measure.
A committee comprised of both San Benito CISD officials and community members created the 18-page handbook due to concern about the growing number of bullying incidents. This handbook is to be a learning tool in hopes of deterring such behavior.
Specifically, SBCISD Staff Development Coordinator Melonie Flores said the handbook is the result of a goal set by the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) last year, which was to compile bullying policies and procedures into one manual.
As previously reported by the News, a good share of the committee, Flores said, consist of parents who contributed input from their personal experiences as well as that of their children and grandchildren.
The manual educates on the various types of bullying – verbal, physical, and psychological as well as gossiping, social aggression, shunning and cyber-bullying – in detail, including warning signs of any bullying attacks; the roles and responsibilities of students, parents, staff, administrators and counselors are also put into much detail. It also comes with a PowerPoint slide show that is to be shown at the beginning of the school year to each class in the district.
Also included is a contract that both the parents and students will be asked to sign. The contract states that the students will not participate in any bullying action or face disciplinary action, and that they know how to spot any incidents of bullying and to report it to the proper authorities.
“This is the first time it has been on a district level,” Flores said.
SBCISD Planner/Evaluator Ruben Franco said that there is to be a database in the works to track incidents and to record any cases of continuous violations. He hopes that the information garnered by the database can help define and expand any preventive measures that the board might have to take as the school year progresses.
San Benito High School Principal Debra Weaver said that the school will follow the plan to the letter, and will monitor the students closely. “Bullying is one of the most offensive behaviors that happen everywhere. We’re just trying to prevent things before they happen,” Weaver said.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the Aug. 17 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
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