Prevention Services

Bullying

Procedures for Reporting Allegations of Bullying

The district prohibits bullying on school property, at school-sponsored or school-related activities, or in any vehicle operated by the district. Bullying may be verbal or written expression or expression through electronic means, or physical conduct. Bullying is not tolerated by the district and any student or parent of a student who believes that the student or another student has experienced bullying or that a student has engaged in bullying is encouraged to immediately report the incident. Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of district policy and is prohibited.

Students or parents may report an alleged incident of bullying, orally or in writing, to a teacher, counselor, principal or other district employee. Students or parents may contact the district to obtain an incident report form that may be used to submit the complaint.

Please note that after submission of the complaint to the district employee, the district may assign the complaint to a campus administrator to follow up on the submitted complaint and any other important matters pertaining to the complaint. We encourage you to communicate with your designated campus administrator during this time.

More information about the district’s bullying policy can be found in Policy FFI here or the campus administration office.

Mediation

Mediation is one particular method of conflict management available to all Bryan ISD students.

Mediation is a proactive program for students when they are in conflict.

As one component of the district’s prevention of school violence program, mediation is a voluntary, private, and interactive process used by students to resolve their conflicts.

Bryan ISD is committed to assisting students in resolving and managing their conflicts. Research shows that children average 5 conflicts per day and adolescents average 9 conflicts per day. Unresolved conflict can lead to aggression which can lead to violence.

In mediation, two or more students in conflict are assisted in reaching a solution to their conflict by trained mediators. The mediator helps the students effectively communicate with one another and supports the students as they determine a solution to their conflict. Mediation does not replace disciplinary measures taken when students have violated school policy but supports students in reaching solutions to problems.

Trained adult mediators are available on all of the Bryan ISD elementary and secondary campuses and at many of the support programs throughout the district. In addition, several campuses have students trained as peer mediators who can assist student resolve their conflicts in a supervised and structured setting.

Mediation in Bryan ISD is funded by Title IV Innovative Programs and is supported by a program consultant.

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention provides training for school staff. It focuses on prevention through a series of nonverbal and verbal techniques to effectively defuse mounting hostility. This training program demonstrates how to use empathetic listening skills, verbal intervention strategies and limit-setting techniques to calm hostile and agitated individuals.

NCI provides guidelines on forming crisis response teams, breaking up fights and determining when and how to use physical intervention. It also teaches how to re-establish communication with the individual after the crisis is over, thereby creating the opportunity for constructive change.

Training for BISD staff members is provided by certified trainers.

For more information on Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, please explore the following link.