Anti-Bullying-Initiative

ANONYMOUS ALERTS REPORTING SYSTEM

ANONYMOUS ALERTS

Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District is pleased to introduce a new communications tool called Anonymous Alerts.

What is the Anonymous Alerts app?

The Anonymous Alerts anti-bullying and safety app reporting system helps combat bullying and other negative activity in schools by empowering students to speak up. Social and peer pressure are some of the hardest obstacles for students to overcome.

The system allows for 1-way or 2-way anonymous encrypted communications between submitters (students, parents or community members) and district administration and/or school staff. Users of the system have the option to remain anonymous or reveal their identity when submitting a report.

How does it work?

To use this revolutionary new app, students, parents or other school personnel can simply visit the
Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District website and click on the “Anonymous Alerts” button or text link to submit a report expressing their concern. Anonymous Alerts® mobile applications can be downloaded directly from the Apple, Google Play or Chrome stores.

Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District supplies students with a simple username and password activation code, making the app remarkably easy to use and students select which school the message should go to. In addition, informational posters explaining how to use the app will be displayed throughout schools and offices in the district.

To send reports from the Web/Internet go to: https://www.anonymousalerts.com/edinburgcisd/

To send a report from your phone:
• Download the Anonymous Alerts® app for free from the Apple Store, Google Play Store, or the Chrome store
• Start the App, enter Activation Code: edinburgcisd
• Send important reports to school officials
• Add a screenshot, photo, or video about the incident
In an emergency, always call 9-1-1!

Anonymous Alerts Overview Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPzPvZiktSA&feature=youtu.be

THE LAW

TEC Chapter 37 - Discipline: Law and Order
TEC §25.0342 – Transfer of Victims of Bullying
TEC §37.001 – Student Code of Conduct to Prohibit Bullying, Harassment, and Hit List Making
TEC §37.0832 - Bullying Prevention Policies and Procedures
TEC §37.151 - Hazing
HB 1942 82nd Legislature – Bullying In Public Schools
Senate Bill 179: David's Law
Senate Bill 2050 -Bullying and Cyberbullying in Public Schools

BULLYING INFORMATION

Bullying Information

ABOUT

All kids involved in bullying—whether they are bullied, bully others, or see bullying—can be affected. It is important to support all kids involved to make sure the bullying doesn’t continue and effects can be minimized.

State law and school policy may have additional guidelines for defining bullying behavior.To determine if this is bullying or something else, consider the following questions:

What is the history between the kids involved? Have there been past conflicts?
Is there a power imbalance? Remember that a power imbalance is not limited to physical strength. It is sometimes not easily recognized. If the targeted child feels like there is a power imbalance, there probably is.
Has this happened before? Is the child worried it will happen again?
Have the kids dated? There are special responses for teen dating violence.
Are any of the kids involved with a gang? Gang violence has different interventions.

Remember that it may not matter “who started it.” Some kids who are bullied may be seen as annoying or provoking, but this does not excuse the bullying behavior.

What You Should Know:

Bullying can affect everyone; those who are bullied, those who bully, and those who witness bullying. Bullying is linked to many negative outcomes including impacts on mental health, substance use, and suicide.

Kids who are bullied can experience negative physical, school, and mental health issues. Kids who are bullied are more likely to experience:

Depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. These issues may persist into adulthood.
Health complaints
Decreased academic achievement—GPA and standardized test scores—and school participation. They are more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school.

What Should You Do?

If you happen to be bullied or see bullying in action, here is what you can do:

Don't be the audience
Help the bullied get away
Be a friend
Tell an adult about the situation - REPORT IT either in person (use the Bullying Incident Report form) or by using the Anonymous Alerts weblink

Ways to Report an Incident:

Bullying Report Form Anonymous Alerts Reporting page

(Click on image below and submit to your campus administrator)

Maneras para Reportar un Incidente:

Formulario para Reportar Incidentes de Acoso Escolar (Bullying) Página de Informes de Alertas Anónimas

(Haga clic en la imagen debajo y envíela al administrador de su escuela)

Support Services Available

Counseling options will be provided to both the victim and the student who engages in bullying, as well as any student that has been impacted by the bullying incident. Students needing services beyond the scope of the school counseling program may be referred for appropriate outside mental health support. A resource list of appropriate outside counseling services will be provided as deemed necessary.

Web Resources:

Bullying Info - U.S. government website that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs.
Stop Bullying.gov - This site includes prevention and intervention resources related to bullying.
SchoolSafety.gov - This site includes information on bullying and cyberbullying.
PACER.org - This site includes educational activities for students.
Stomp Out Bullying - This site includes information on how to prevent bullying and how to get help if someone is being bullied.
Parent Guide to School Safety - This site includes factsheets and toolkits addressing bullying, vaping, suicide, and targeted school violence among other topics.

A parent's guide to understanding bullying video

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

If you need to talk or are concerned about someone else, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The toll-free lifeline is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 988lifeline.org

Call 9-8-8

For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988

If you or someone you know is in a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.

Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is for any crisis.