Bullying Policy

  • BULLYING

     

             The term "bullying" among children is defined, in general, as: "a variety of negative acts carried out repeatedly over time. It involves a real or perceived imbalance of power, with a more powerful child or group attacking those who are less powerful."

     

    Bullying has the effect of:

    1.      Physically, emotionally or mentally harming a student

    2.      Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical , emotional or mental harm

    3.      Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property

    4.      Creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities  

     

    Bullying can take physical, verbal and/or psychological forms and includes, but is not limited to, actions such as hitting, kicking, pushing, spitting, taking personal belongings, taunting, malicious teasing, name calling, making threats, spreading rumors, manipulating social relationships, engaging in social exclusion, extortion and intimidation

     

    Any student who believes that he/she is being subjected to bullying behavior, as well as any other person who has knowledge of or witnesses any possible occurrence of bullying, shall report the behavior to any staff member or the Building Principal. The staff member/Building Principal to whom the report is made (or the staff member/Building Principal who witnesses bullying behavior) shall investigate the complaint and take appropriate action to include, as necessary, referral to the next level of supervisory authority. Allegations of bullying shall be promptly investigated and will be treated as confidential and private to the extent possible within legal constraints.

             

    As with other forms of bullying, cyberbullying is an attempt to display power and control over someone perceived as weaker. Cyberbullying involving District students may occur both on campus and off school grounds.  It may involve student use of the District Internet system or student use of personal digital devices while at school, such as cell phones, digital cameras, and personal computers to engage in cyberbullying.

    Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another student or staff member by way of any technological tool, such as sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory e-mail messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or Web site postings (including blogs).  There is a clear right of the school district to involve itself in a disciplinary fashion in cases in which students are the victims of cyberbullying which occurs either outside or in combination of inside/outside the school day, but whose ramifications extend to school.