The Bullying Helpline is a 24-hour helpline (1-800-332-6378 or 1-800-Children) staffed with trained professionals and volunteers through the Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL). This is a free, confidential, 24/7 statewide resource that provides access to resources in communities across Kansas to help address their concerns. While it’s designed as a parent helpline, there are no eligibility requirements, and they assist parents, caregivers, professionals, and individuals across Kansas. The KCSL team connects people to local resources such as financial assistance, mental health services, prenatal and perinatal support, child development services, and basic needs like food, clothing, and diapers. They also offer short-term parenting support for families with children ages 0–18 and help them access long-term community resources. In addition, they also have an online resource directory that is available to anyone by visiting 1800childrenks.org or by downloading the mobile app (“1800childrenks”).

Shortly after the tragedy at Columbine the Kansas Legislature established the Kansas School Safety Hotline as a means to address possible situations that would involve probable cause that anyone might be a threat to themselves or others. It is an anonymous toll free service that encourages relevant calls to 1-877-626-8203, this number connects to the Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch who immediately refers the call to the local Sheriff and/or then to the specific building administrator(s). Typically this Hotline is used when threats are involved.

Posters for both the Bullying Prevention Hotline and the Kansas School Safety Hotline are displayed at EMS for our students. Students are also encouraged to report issues of these types to an EMS administrator.

What is Bullying?

2013 Legislature amended the anti-bullying statute (KSA 72-8256) and became effective July 1, 2013. The Goddard USD 265 Board of Education revised and adopted policy in May, 2016 aligned to KSA 72-8256, which can be found at USD 265 BOE Policies.

1) Bullying means: a) any intentional gesture or any intentional written, verbal, electronic or physical act or threat either by any student, staff member or parent towards a student or by any student, staff member that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that such gesture, act or threat creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment that a reasonable person, under the circumstances, knows or should know will have the effect of:

1. Harming a student or staff member, whether physically or mentally;

2. Damaging a student or staff member in reasonable fear of harm to the student or staff member; or

3. Placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of damage to the student’s or staff member’s property;

4. Cyberbullying; or

5. Any other form of intimidation or harassment prohibited by the board of education of the school district in policies concerning bullying adopted pursuant to this section or subsection of K.S.A. 72-8205 and amendments thereto.

​What is Peer Conflict?

Peer conflict is when two (2) students with no perceived imbalance of power argue, disagree, or fight. Conflict resolution or peer mediation may be more appropriate.