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JICFB |
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BULLYING
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The Gardner Public
Schools is committed to providing a safe, positive and productive educational
environment where students can achieve the highest academic standards. No
student shall be subjected to harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyberbullying. “Bullying” is the
repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal, or electronic
expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof,
directed at a target that:
“Cyber-bullying”
means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication,
which shall include, but shall not be limited to, any transfer of signs,
signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature
transmitted in whole or in part by a:
Cyber-bullying shall
also include the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes
the identity of another person or knowingly impersonates another person as
author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation
creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying. Cyber-bullying shall
also include the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more
than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may
be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates
any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying. Bullying and
cyber-bullying may occur in and out of school, during and after school hours,
at home and in locations outside of the home. When bullying and
cyber-bullying are alleged, the full cooperation and assistance of parents
and families are expected. For the purpose of
this policy, whenever the term bullying is used it is to denote either
bullying, or cyber-bullying. Bullying is
prohibited: ·
On
school grounds; ·
On
property immediately adjacent to school grounds; ·
At
school-sponsored or school-related activities; ·
At
functions or programs whether on or off school grounds ·
At
school bus stops; ·
On
school buses or other vehicles owned, leased or used by the school district;
or, ·
Through
the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased or used by the
Gardner Public Schools Bullying and
cyber-bullying are prohibited at a location, activity, function or program
that is not school-related or through the use of technology or an electronic
device that is not owned, leased or used by the Gardner Public Schools if the
act or acts in question: ·
Create
a hostile environment at school for the target; ·
Infringe
on the rights of the target at school; and/or ·
Materially
and substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly operation of a
school. Prevention and
Intervention Plan The Superintendent
and/or his/her designee shall oversee the development of a prevention and
intervention plan, in consultation with all district stakeholders, which may
include teachers, school staff, professional support personnel, school
volunteers, administrators, community representatives, local law enforcement
agencies, students, parents and guardians, consistent with the requirements
of this policy, as well as state and federal laws. The bullying prevention
and intervention plan shall be reviewed and updated at least biennially. The Principal is
responsible for the implementation and oversight of the bullying prevention
and implementation plan within his or her school. Reporting Students, who
believe that they are a target of bullying, observe an act of bullying, or
who have reasonable grounds to believe that these behaviors are taking place,
are obligated to report incidents to a member of the school staff. The target
shall, however, not be subject to discipline for failing to report bullying. Each school shall
have a means for anonymous reporting by students of incidents of bullying. No
formal disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous
report. Any student who
knowingly makes a false accusation of bullying shall be subject to
disciplinary action. Parents or
guardians, or members of the community, are encouraged to report an incident
of bullying as soon as possible. A member of a school
staff shall immediately report any instance of bullying the staff member has
witnessed or become aware of to the school principal or their designee. Investigation
Procedures The Principal or
their designee, upon receipt of a viable report, shall promptly contact the
parents or guardians of a student who has been the alleged target or alleged
perpetrator of bullying. The actions being taken to prevent further acts of
bullying shall be discussed. The school principal
or a designee shall promptly investigate the report of bullying, using a
Bullying/Cyber-bullying Report Form which may include interviewing the
alleged target, alleged perpetrator, staff members, students and/or
witnesses. Support staff shall
assess an alleged target’s needs for protection and create and implement a
safety plan that shall restore a sense of safety for that student. Confidentiality
shall be used to protect a person who reports bullying, provides information
during an investigation of bullying, or is witness to or has reliable
information about an act of bullying. If the school
principal or a designee determines that bullying has occurred he/she shall
take appropriate disciplinary action and if it is believed that criminal
charges may be pursued against the perpetrator, the principal shall consult
with the school’s resource officer and the Superintendent to determine if
criminal charges are warranted. If it is determined that criminal charges are
warranted, the local law enforcement agency shall be notified. The investigation
shall be completed within fourteen school days from the date of the report.
The parents or guardians shall be contacted upon completion of the
investigation and informed of the results, including whether the allegations
were found to be factual, whether a violation of this policy was found, and
whether disciplinary action has or shall be taken. At a minimum the Principal
or his/her designee shall contact the parents or guardians as to the status
of the investigation on a weekly basis. Disciplinary actions
for students who have committed an act of bullying or retaliation shall be in
accordance with district disciplinary policies. Each school shall
document any incident of bullying that is reported per this policy and a file
shall be maintained by the Principal or designee. A monthly report shall be
provided to the Superintendent. Confidentiality
shall be maintained to the extent consistent with the school's obligations
under law. Retaliation Retaliation against
a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation
of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying shall be
prohibited. Target Assistance The Gardner Public
Schools shall provide counselling or referral to appropriate services,
including guidance, academic intervention, and protection to students, both
targets and perpetrators, affected by bullying, as necessary. Training and
Assessment Annual training
shall be provided for school employees and volunteers who have significant
contact with students in preventing, identifying, responding to, and
reporting incidents of bullying. Age-appropriate,
evidence-based instruction on bullying prevention shall be incorporated into
the curriculum for all K to 12 students. Publication and
Notice Annual written
notice of the relevant sections of the bullying prevention and intervention
plan shall be provided to students and their parents or guardians, in
age-appropriate terms. Annual written
notice of the bullying prevention and intervention plan shall be provided to
all school staff. The faculty and staff at each school shall be
trained annually on the bullying prevention and intervention plan applicable
to the school. Relevant sections of
the bullying prevention and intervention plan relating to the duties of
faculty and staff shall be included in the school employee handbook. The bullying
prevention and intervention plan shall be posted on the Gardner Public Schools
website.
[Adopted: January 8, 2001] [Reviewed: May
2003] [Revised: June 2007] [Revised: December 2010] |
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School
Committee Policy Manual – Gardner Public Schools |