Folsom Middle School

Frequently Asked Questions about Bullying

❖     What is bullying?

➢     Bullying is generally repeated over time and involves a real or perceived imbalance of power with more powerful student(s) attacking the less powerful student(s).

❖     Is there a legal definition of bullying?

Bullying is any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct including, but not limited to:

➢      Written and digital communication that can be reasonably predicted to place a student in fear of harm to that pupil's person or property.

➢      Causing a pupil to experience a substantially detrimental effect on his or her physical, mental health, or interferes with a pupil's academic performance.

➢      Restricting a pupils ability to participate in services, activities or privileges provided by the school.

❖     What can I do if I believe that my child is being bullied at school?

➢     Please contact our school immediately if you believe that your child is being bullied. You may also visit our reporting page here.

❖     I’ve seen text messages and/or videos of students bullying my student. Who should I contact?

➢     Please contact our school immediately if you believe that your child is being bullied. You may also visit our reporting page here.

➢     To assist in our investigation, please screenshot/capture texts, videos and/or images.

❖     What will the school’s response be to my bullying report?

➢     Administration will conduct an investigation that includes acquiring witness statements, interviewing students, and obtaining evidence. Once the investigation is completed, a course of action will be determined. Law enforcement may also be notified depending on the circumstances of the incident.

❖     What disciplinary action may be taken against students that are bullying?

➢     The first offense of bullying may include a warning, detention, notifying law enforcement, a parent conference with administration, and/or up to a three day suspension. Additional offenses of bullying may include the above mentioned consequences, but may also include up to five days of suspension.

❖     When disciplinary action is taken against a student, why doesn’t the school share those consequences with the victim’s family?

➢     The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that protects the privacy of student records. When disciplinary action is taken against a student who is bullying, the details of the incident, including disciplinary action, are added to the student’s records. The confidentiality of those records are protected under the FERPA federal law.

❖     Do bullying incidents increase as students get older?

➢     According to national research, about 28% of students in grades 6-12 report that they have been bullied while 20% of student report being bullied in grades 9-12. (1)

❖     How does Folsom Middle School compare to the national average?

➢     A Fall 2018 survey given to at Folsom Middle School showed that 22.5% of students witnessed or were the victim of bullying.

❖     What proactive efforts is the school making to prevent bullying?

➢     Students receive character education as part of their advisory classes.

➢     Student leadership groups like our Student Council and Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) work collaboratively with school staff to foster positive relationships between students.

➢     The Folsom Police Department met with all students within the first six weeks of school to present information on Internet Safety and the dangers of cyberbullying.

➢     Our school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Committee meets monthly to review school climate data and develop interventions to support students.

➢     Folsom Middle has two full time counselors, one part time counselor, and a full time Marriage and Family Therapist to provide support for students.

➢     Bullying Reports are sent directly to administration and investigated within 24 hours.