Prevention & Intervention
Sherman ISD strives to create a safe, welcoming environment for all students in our schools, and we work proactively to prevent culture across the district, and prevention and intervention is a part of that strategy.
Bullying
What is Bullying?
Bullying is not a new phenomenon. It’s been around since the beginning of time. Most adults can usually recall incidents of bullying from their own schooldays. Either, they were bullied, they were the bully, or they were the bystander. For many of us, it’s not a pleasant memory. In addition, historically, bullying was thought of as “kids being kids,” “it’s normal behavior,” or “they probably deserved it.” Fortunately, in today’s world, those beliefs have changed. There’s nothing “normal” about people intentionally hurting each other and no one deserves to be bullied. It’s deviant, destructive, and wrong. Due to this paradigm shift, schools across the country take proactive measures in responding to bullying.
How do I make a report of bullying?
In Sherman ISD, students/parents can file a report online, or report it in person.
How do I know if it is bullying?
Although definitions vary from school to school, most definitions of bullying, including the definition used by Sherman ISD, have three key components:
Aggressive behavior: One or more people are directing aggression to another person who is unable to stand up for him/herself. The aggressive behavior is unwanted and unprovoked. The only person feeling emotionally upset is the person who is targeted. Whereas the aggressor appears to get some kind of pleasure out of his/ her behavior and often feels no regret or remorse.
An imbalance of power: A key determining factor in bullying involves the imbalance of power. This could be physical size and power, relation to social status, multiple students “ganging up” on an individual, or sheer volume of information used against someone in a cyberbullying scenario. It could also be when a student is just vulnerable in some way making it difficult to defend him/herself.
Repeated over time: “Repeatedly and over time” is one of the most common descriptors you’ll hear to bullying. Calling someone a name one time is wrong and against school rules, but we wouldn’t label it as “bullying.” If however, the student continues this aggressive and unwanted behavior, it would be considered bullying. If the imbalance of power criteria is met, it would be considered bullying.
What's the difference between bullying and general conflict?
We’ve all been involved in conflicts where we lost control and said something we later regret. People engaged in a conflict want the issue to be resolved. The “back and forth” that occurs is each person trying to make the case for what she/he wants. When one or both people have the skills to resolve the dispute so both sets of needs are met, the same conflict between the same two people most likely will not be repeated. If not, conflict might possibly continue for a long time. In bullying, there’s usually not a conflict or disagreement. One person or a group of people, are targeting another individual because they can.
Suicide
Sherman ISD believes that all students are unique and valuable. We want to support our students in the many challenges they face so that they can live happy healthy lives.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 youth ages 13 to 18 lives with a mental condition. Depressions puts a person at higher risk for suicide, which is the second leading cause of death for Texas youth ages 10 to 24. When ignored, mental health disorders can lead to life-threatening consequences.
Sherman ISD has partnered with several local and national agencies to combat youth suicide.
We all can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Find more information at : www.988lifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/
Drugs
Roughly 5 million US adolescents suffer from a substance or alcohol use, and 90 percent of addictions originate in the teenage years. It is vital to intervene as soon as possible to raise awareness of the risks surrounding substance abuse, and talking to your child is the first step in intervention.
Prescription Drugs
According to the CDC, 14 percent of students in the US reported misusing prescription opioids. Prescription drug abuse can be addictive and lead to harmful health effects, and many teens receive prescription drugs from a friend or relative.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl, equal to 10 to15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose, and fentanyl is the leading cause of death for young people in the US.
Signs of overdose:
- Small, constricted “pinpoint” pupils
- Face is extremely pale and feels cold or
- clammy to the touch
- Body goes limp
- Fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
- Vomiting or making gurgling noises
- Cannot be awakened or unable to speak
- Breathing or heartbeat slows or stops
How to save a life:
-
Call 911 right away
-
Try to wake the person up
- Give naloxone, if available
- Begin rescue breathing or CPR
- Turn the person on their side to prevent
- choking
- Stay with the person until emergency
- services arrive
Dating/Family Violence
Healthy relationships depend on communication, boundaries, mutual respect and mutual support. Friends should respect boundaries and feelings and should encourage you instead of putting you down. Conflict may occur, but that does not meant the friendship has to end. Kids must be taught healthy conflict resolution tactics such as setting boundaries, finding the underlying issues, and compromise.
As kids grow older, they may start dating relationships, and while these relationships may begin positive, they may take a turn. Teen dating violence is defined as the physical, sexual, psychological or emotional aggression within a dating relationship, including stalking. This occur in person or electronically and between a current or former dating partner.
Warning signs can include:
- Checking phone, email, or social accounts without permission
- Excessive put-downs, especially in front of others
- Extreme jealousy or insecurity
- Explosive outbursts, temper, or mood swings
- Any form of physical harm
- Possessiveness or controlling behavior