Bullying Prevention

Eagle Rock Goal:
To provide a school community committed to a safe and welcoming environment for all students and adults.

What is bullying?
Bullying is any hurtful or aggressive act toward an individual or group that is intentional and repeated.

Acts of Social Violence (Bullying, Cyber bullying, Intimidation, Hazing and Harassment)

It is the policy of Idaho Falls School District 91 Board of Trustees to maintain a safe school environment for all students, employees, and visitors while attending school, riding the school bus, and attending district-sponsored activities on school premises or at other locations. Acts of Social Violence include but are not limited to: Bullying, Cyber bullying, Intimidation, Hazing, and Harassment (peer, racial, color, and national origin, sexual orientation, religious, disability, and sexual), regardless of the specific nature of the students’ behavior, is disruptive to a safe school environment and will not be tolerated. It shall be a violation of this policy for any District student, employee, or visitor to bully, haze, intimidate, or harass another individual, while on any school premises or at any school sponsored activity, regardless of location. Violation of this policy may be subject to school disciplinary action even if the threat is not substantial, direct, or specific enough to constitute a violation of state or federal law.

Bullying includes:

  • Name calling
  • Hurtful action
  • Spreading rumors
  • Repetition (typically)
  • Threats
  • Physical aggression towards others
  • Damaging property of others

Why do bullies bully?
Students who bully are typically more aggressive in nature that other children.  They tend to be more impulsive and tolerant of violence.  For some bullies, their bravado can be fueled by physical strength or a strong social position.  Bullies fully recognize and use their physical, social, or emotional power over others.  Some bullies themselves may have been targets of bullying in the past.

Influences on Bullying

  • Family influences and how members of a family relate are enduring lessons for a child.
  • Media images and messages – bullying and harassment are often portrayed as humorous or as acceptable behaviors.
  • Peer norms can actively or passively promote the idea that bullying is “no big deal.”
  • Technology – the immediate and anonymous qualities of the Internet can entice both bullies and bystanders to perpetrate acts of bullying that they would never consider in person.
  • School Culture can cultivate bullying behavior if a school community ignores the obvious signs about what can happen in unsupervised hallways and playgrounds of its school.

Reporting Procedures

  • Students report incidents of bullying to their teachers verbally or in written form.
  • Teachers or students report repeated incidents of bullying to an administrator or school resource officer.
  • An investigation will take place to determine the circumstances and nature of the complaint.
  • If the incident is in fact bullying the result will be handled in accordance with the district policy and the Idaho State Statue.

Bullying is against the law

  • Idaho Statutes includes the following types of bullying behavior:
  • Harming a student; or damaging a student’s property; or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm; or placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to his or her property; or is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student.
  • An act of harassment, intimidation or bullying may also be committed through the use of a land line, car phone or wireless telephone or through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network.
  • A student who personally violates any provision of this section of the Idaho State Statute may be guilty of an infraction.
  • At Eagle Rock, we believe that bullying must be dealt with swiftly and effectively:
  • First Offense – Parents notified in writing and possible suspension
  • Second Offense – Citation for bullying and a $57.00 fine, plus possible suspension
  • Third Offense - Student will be charged with criminal harassment and may be assigned a diversion or probation officer by Bonneville Juvenile Probation and the Juvenile Prosecutor
  • Additional Offense - Student will be referred to the District Discipline Review Committee and an expulsion hearing may take place.
  • Our Eagle Rock creed: "If you are doing it, stop it. If you see it, report it. If it is reported to you, take action."