Bullying And Cyberbullying: Resources For Houston Area Schools

HOUSTON, TX — Several Houston area school distrcits have unveiled online reporting systems that allow students to report incidents of bullying and cyberbullying to school administrators. One of the newest reporting tools in the Houston area is in Spring ISD, which unveiled the it’s new online reporting system on Oct. 1.

“This new tool adds another way for people to let us know about a potential bullying situation with the option of staying anonymous,” said Chief Communications Officer Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield. “We have always encouraged our students, staff and parents to report any bullying concerns, and this just gives us another way to address those concerns.”

The launch of the tool coincides with the start of National Bullying Prevention Month, which runs through October to raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of bullying on people of all ages and to encourage communities to work together to prevent it.

Spring ISD’s new online tool can be accessed via www.springisd.org/stopbullying or directly from a button designed like a stop sign located on campus websites and the district homepage. A special form guides users through a series of questions to gather important information about the alleged bullying incident, including whether it was in-person or cyberbullying.

Those who report using the tool may decide to stay anonymous or use their names. In either case, district officials will investigate the claims with the goal of stopping any bullying.

The addition of the anonymous online reporting tool is just one more way that Spring ISD is complying with Senate Bill 179, formally known as David’s Law, which requires school districts to intervene when any cyberbullying behavior is suspected.

To help raise awareness about the new reporting tool, the district is working with campus adult and student leaders to raise awareness about bullying, through a campaign urging people to speak up when they suspect bullying.

In Houston ISD, the district offers a laundry list of tips to students and parents and offers an online resource for reporting bullying or cyberbullying.

Last year, the Humble Independent School District introduced its iHelp application to students and parents. The iHelp app allows students to share information on any type of danger that may threaten their safety or the safety of others.

The anonymous reporting program fosters a relationship between schools, law enforcement, counselors, parents, and students. It is also available, free of charge, to all parents and guardians through Apple or Google Play.

Tomball ISD in northweste Harris County also has an anonymous reporting system in place for students and parents. The program is a phone app known as Anonymous Alerts that can be downloaded from Apple or Google Play. The proghram is staffed fro 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.during the school year.

Some of the other school districts in the Houston area with a bullying or cyberbullying programs include:

• Cy-Fair ISD
• Conroe ISD
• Clear Creek ISD
• Dickinson ISD
• Fort Bend ISD
• Katy ISD

Check with your area school district and find out if there are online resources to report instances of bullying ort cyberbullying.

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