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Bullying and Cyberbullying

What is Bullying?

Bullying of any kind is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated at Westlake Academy. 

The state of Texas defines bullying in TEC 37.0832 as: 

Bullying: 

(A) means a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that satisfies the applicability requirements provided by Subsection (a-1), and that: 

i. has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property; 

ii. is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student; 

iii. materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school; or 

iv. infringes on the rights of the victim at school; and 

(B) includes cyberbullying. 

"Cyberbullying” means bullying that is done through the use of any electronic communication device, including through the use of a cellular or other type of telephone, a computer, a camera, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, a social media application, an Internet website, or any other Internet-based communication tool.

Types of Bullying

  • Physical bullying: using physical force or aggression against another person (e.g., hitting)

  • Verbal bullying: using words to verbally attack someone (e.g., name-calling)

  • Social/relational bullying: trying to hurt someone through excluding them, spreading rumors or ignoring them (e.g., gossiping)

  • Cyberbullying: using electronic media to threaten, embarrass, intimidate, or exclude someone, or to damage their reputation (e.g., sending threatening text messages)

Reporting

Students and families can report claims of bullying or harassment to any teacher, counselor, or campus administrator for a potential investigation.  Please be aware that bullying behavior should meet the definition of involving a real or perceived imbalance of power that is either repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time or is a single significant act - per David’s Law.  

Ways to Report - 

Crime Stoppers - is an anonymous reporting system that can be utilized to make reports about criminal activity as well as school policy violations like bullying or harassment.  

Westlake Academy Bullying and Harassment Report form