AESD Anti-Bullying Initiative

Aguila School believes it is the right of every student to receive an education in a positive, safe, caring, and respectful learning environment. We further believe that a school environment inclusive of these traits maximizes student achievement, fosters student personal growth, and helps students build a sense of community that promotes positive participation as members of society.

Aguila School, in partnership with parents, guardians, and students, strives to establish and maintain a school environment based on these beliefs. The district works to identify and implement age-appropriate programs designed to instill in students the values of positive interpersonal relationships, mutual respect, and appropriate conflict resolution.

Bullying is defined as "instances where a student or group of students engages in any form of behavior that includes intimidation and/or harassment that has the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm or damage to property, is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that the action, behavior or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive environment in the form of physical or emotional harm, occurs when there is a real or perceived imbalance of power or strength, or may constitute a violation of the law." (taken from AESD Policy JICK.)

It is the responsibility of the school to recognize and identify situations where students are being the victims of bullying, but our best source of information is reporting by students and parents. In addition to reports by victims, we ask other students or parents who feel that bullying is taking place to report specific circumstances that they believe constitute bullying, to the school staff. The school must thoroughly investigate and addressed such reports.

Where the schools’ investigation determines that an incidence of bullying constitutes a violation of school rules, we will administer school discipline, and the parents of the victim have a right to knowledge of the disposition of the matter. In cases where we determine that the perpetrator has broken the law, district policy requires that we inform law-enforcement authorities of the evidence supporting this conclusion.

Our goal is to help students understand why bullying is not appropriate. We often implement grade-level-appropriate programs aimed at this objective. We also hope that students will develop the self-confidence to recognize that no matter what anybody says, they are valuable members of our school community and they have the potential to achieve great things. Improving student self-esteem is the most effective way to reduce the harmful impact that student misconduct in the area of meanness and bullying can inflict upon students.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the school office. We stand committed to the positive experience of our students.

Thank you,

Andy Wannemacher

Andy Wannemacher
Superintendent/Principal
Aguila Elementary School District