Click Here to Report Bullying

Bullying Prevention & Reporting

Working Together to Keep RCMS Safe

At Rancho Cucamonga Middle School, every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued. We are committed to maintaining a positive school environment where bullying, harassment, and intimidation are not tolerated.

Creating a safe and welcoming campus is a shared responsibility among students, families, teachers, and staff. Through our Lion's PRIDE values—Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Empathy—we work together to build a school community where everyone belongs.

What Is Bullying?

Bullying is harmful behavior directed toward another student that may be physical, verbal, social, or electronic (cyberbullying).

Most experts agree that true bullying includes:

• Intentional harm: Actions meant to hurt, threaten, embarrass, or exclude another person.

• Repeated behavior: Hurtful actions that happen repeatedly or have the potential to continue.

• An imbalance of power: One student or group has greater physical, social, or perceived power than another.

Bullying can include physical aggression, name-calling, threats, spreading rumors, deliberate social exclusion, or harmful online communications.

Not every disagreement or unkind interaction is bullying. Students sometimes experience conflicts, misunderstandings, or disagreements with peers. However, these will not always fall into the definition of bullying. These situations still deserve attention and support. We encourage students and families to report any behavior that makes a student feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

What Is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying involves using electronic devices or online platforms to threaten, harass, intimidate, or harm another student.

Examples may include:

• Sending threatening or hurtful messages.

• Spreading rumors or embarrassing information online.

• Posting harmful pictures, videos, or comments.

• Creating fake accounts to impersonate or target another student.

• Sharing inappropriate or sexually explicit images to harass or humiliate someone.

Cyberbullying may happen through text messages, social media, online games, or other digital platforms. Cyberbullying that occurs outside of school will not normally fall under the jurisdiction of the school site or district. However, it may be addressed when it affects the school environment, consistent with applicable law and district policy.

How Can Students or Families Report Bullying?

If you see something or experience something, please tell us.

Students and families are encouraged to report suspected bullying as soon as possible. Reports can be made by:

• Speaking with a teacher, counselor, or school administrator.

• Contacting the school office.

• Completing the online Bullying Report Form linked at the top of this page.

• Requesting a paper incident report form from the front office.

Students do not need to determine whether an incident legally qualifies as bullying before asking for help. We encourage families to share concerns so school staff can review the situation and provide appropriate support.

What Happens After a Report Is Made?

All reports of suspected bullying are taken seriously and reviewed in accordance with district procedures and applicable law.

When a concern is reported, school staff will:

1. Listen and gather information. Staff will review the concern and speak with students or others involved, as appropriate.

2. Investigate the situation. School administrators or designated staff will determine what occurred and whether the behavior constitutes bullying or another violation of school rules.

3. Take appropriate action. When bullying is confirmed, the school will respond promptly to stop the behavior, address its effects, and support student safety.

4. Provide follow-up and support. Staff will work with students and families, as appropriate, to help prevent additional incidents.

Student privacy will be respected throughout the process. While families will receive information about concerns involving their own child, confidentiality laws may limit the details that can be shared about other students or disciplinary actions.

Please note – retaliation against anyone who reports bullying or participates in an investigation is prohibited.

What Are the Consequences for Bullying?

Students who engage in bullying may face appropriate disciplinary action consistent with California Education Code, district policies, and the circumstances of the incident.

Consequences may include school-based interventions, parent conferences, counseling or behavioral supports, restorative practices when appropriate, and disciplinary consequences, including suspension or expulsion when permitted by law.

Our goal is not only to stop harmful behavior but also to help students understand its impact, take responsibility for their actions, and develop healthier ways to interact with others.

How Does RCMS Work to Prevent Bullying?

Bullying prevention is an ongoing part of our commitment to a safe, positive school culture.

Across our campus, we promote respectful behavior through clear expectations, staff supervision, schoolwide activities, and positive school culture initiatives.

In our classrooms, teachers reinforce respectful communication, empathy, inclusion, and problem-solving skills. Students are encouraged to speak up when they witness harmful behavior and to seek help from trusted adults.

Through individual student support, counselors, administrators, and other staff work with students who have experienced bullying as well as students who have engaged in harmful behavior. Support and interventions are based on individual needs.

How Can Families Help?

Families play an essential role in preventing bullying and helping students develop healthy relationships.

We encourage families to talk regularly with their children about friendships, kindness, online behavior, and the importance of treating others with respect. If your child shares a concern, listen carefully, reassure them that asking for help is the right thing to do, and contact the school when additional support is needed.

Together, we can create a campus where every Lion feels safe, connected, and ready to learn.

California Law and District Policy

California law establishes protections against bullying, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination in public schools.

Under California Education Code Section 48900(r), bullying includes severe or pervasive physical or verbal conduct, including written or electronic communications, that causes or can reasonably be expected to cause fear of harm, substantial harm to a student's physical or mental health, significant interference with academic performance, or significant interference with participation in school activities and services.

Additional applicable provisions may include:

• Education Code 48900.2: Sexual harassment.

• Education Code 48900.3: Hate violence.

• Education Code 48900.4: Harassment, threats, and intimidation.

School responses and disciplinary decisions are made in accordance with applicable laws, due process requirements, and district policies.

Need Help or Want to Report a Concern?

Please contact the RCMS front office, speak with a school administrator, or complete the Bullying Report Form linked above. We are here to help and appreciate your partnership in keeping our students safe.