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Montgomery County Public SchoolsMontgomery County Public Schools

Bullying, Harassment, or IntimidationBullying, Harassment, or Intimidation

Board Policy JHF: Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation

MCPS Regulation JHF-RA: Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation

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The Board of Education The Board of Education

is committed to:is committed to:

Creating an environment that is free of bullying, harassment, or Creating an environment that is free of bullying, harassment, or intimidation so that schools are safe places in which to learnintimidation so that schools are safe places in which to learn

Prohibiting verbal, physical, or written (including electronic) bullying, Prohibiting verbal, physical, or written (including electronic) bullying, harassment, or intimidation of any person on school property, on harassment, or intimidation of any person on school property, on school buses, or at school-sponsored functionsschool buses, or at school-sponsored functions

Prohibiting reprisals or retaliation against individuals who report acts Prohibiting reprisals or retaliation against individuals who report acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation, or who are victims, of bullying, harassment, or intimidation, or who are victims, witnesses, or others with reliable information witnesses, or others with reliable information

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DefinitionDefinition

Bullying, harassment, or intimidation means Bullying, harassment, or intimidation means intentional conduct, including verbal, physical, or intentional conduct, including verbal, physical, or written conduct, or an intentional electronic written conduct, or an intentional electronic communication, that creates a hostile educational communication, that creates a hostile educational environment by substantially interfering with a environment by substantially interfering with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, or with a student’s physical or performance, or with a student’s physical or psychological well-being and is….psychological well-being and is….

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Definition continued:Definition continued:

Motivated by an actual or perceived personal characteristic Motivated by an actual or perceived personal characteristic including race, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual including race, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry, physical orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, or physical or mental attributes, socioeconomic status, or physical or mental ability or disability; or,ability or disability; or,

Threatening or seriously intimidating; andThreatening or seriously intimidating; and

Occurs on a school property, at a school activity or event, Occurs on a school property, at a school activity or event, or a school bus; oror a school bus; or

Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a school.Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a school.

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Electronic CommunicationElectronic Communication

““Electronic communication” means a Electronic communication” means a communication transmitted by means of an communication transmitted by means of an electronic device, including a telephone, electronic device, including a telephone, cellular phone, computer or pager. cellular phone, computer or pager.

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Keeping the Community InformedKeeping the Community Informed

• Announcements and meetings prior to the Announcements and meetings prior to the opening of school and during the first week of opening of school and during the first week of schoolschool

• Newsletters and Connect Ed. messagesNewsletters and Connect Ed. messages• PTA MeetingsPTA Meetings• Reporting Form (MCPS Form 230-35) available Reporting Form (MCPS Form 230-35) available

in multiple school locations, including the in multiple school locations, including the administrative office, counselor’s office, media administrative office, counselor’s office, media center, and health roomcenter, and health room

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BasicsBasicsAbout About

BullyingBullying

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BullyingBullyingResearch tell us: Research tell us:

• Almost 30% of youth in the United Almost 30% of youth in the United States are estimated to be involved States are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both. of bullying, or both. (www.safeyouth.org)(www.safeyouth.org)

• Approximately 15% of students who Approximately 15% of students who have been bullied indicate that they have been bullied indicate that they experienced severe reactions to experienced severe reactions to bullying/harassment bullying/harassment (USDE, Preventing (USDE, Preventing Bullying: A Manual For Schools and Communities)Bullying: A Manual For Schools and Communities)

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Characteristics of bullies may include:Characteristics of bullies may include:

Lack of empathy for others/pro-violent Lack of empathy for others/pro-violent attitudesattitudes

Hot-tempered, easily angered, and Hot-tempered, easily angered, and impulsive, with a low tolerance for frustrationimpulsive, with a low tolerance for frustration

Strained parental relationships; family Strained parental relationships; family conflicts frequently managed with fighting, conflicts frequently managed with fighting, put-downs, name-callingput-downs, name-calling

Limited parental supervision and involvementLimited parental supervision and involvementParents have inconsistent, harsh, or Parents have inconsistent, harsh, or

extremely permissive discipline extremely permissive discipline styles.styles.

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Students who are bullied Students who are bullied tend to:tend to:

Be anxious, insecure, cautious, and Be anxious, insecure, cautious, and have low self-esteemhave low self-esteem

Appear weak, shy, unassertive, Appear weak, shy, unassertive, physically awkward, or lacking in physically awkward, or lacking in social skillssocial skills

Provoke other students with Provoke other students with antagonizing behaviorantagonizing behavior

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Common Effects of Bullying Common Effects of Bullying Behaviors on the Student Behaviors on the Student

Who is BulliedWho is BulliedAcademic ProblemsAcademic Problems:: school avoidance, truancy, higher drop-out school avoidance, truancy, higher drop-out

raterate lowered grades and reduced learninglowered grades and reduced learning lowered self-esteem, lowered self-confidencelowered self-esteem, lowered self-confidence

Health ProblemsHealth Problems:: loss of appetiteloss of appetite stomach aches, vomitingstomach aches, vomiting headachesheadaches loss of sleeploss of sleep nervousness, anxietynervousness, anxiety depression, lonelinessdepression, loneliness

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PreventingPreventing Bullying BehaviorsBullying Behaviors

An interest and commitment to An interest and commitment to eliminating incidences of bullying eliminating incidences of bullying

Instruction and practice of the Instruction and practice of the strategies used to handle bully strategies used to handle bully situationssituations

Attentive monitoringAttentive monitoring

Early interventionEarly intervention

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Strategies to Prevent Bullying Strategies to Prevent Bullying Behaviors:Behaviors:

Positive relationships and interactions with students. Positive relationships and interactions with students.

Supervision in all areas of the school building Supervision in all areas of the school building throughout the school day, including hallways, throughout the school day, including hallways, restroom areas, cafeteria, and school restroom areas, cafeteria, and school grounds/playgrounds.grounds/playgrounds.

Prompt, fair, and consistent enforcement of system, Prompt, fair, and consistent enforcement of system, school, and classroom rules school, and classroom rules

Instruction for students on strategies for dealing with Instruction for students on strategies for dealing with peer issues, including bullyingpeer issues, including bullying

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Prevention StrategiesPrevention Strategies continued continuedModeling desired attitudes and behaviorsModeling desired attitudes and behaviorsCooperative learning groups that are structured and Cooperative learning groups that are structured and monitored monitored Classroom guidance lessons and small group Classroom guidance lessons and small group counseling counseling Peer tutoring and mentoring activitiesPeer tutoring and mentoring activitiesStrategies that recognize and reinforce positive Strategies that recognize and reinforce positive behaviors (i.e. Positive Behavioral Interventions and behaviors (i.e. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports)Supports)Multicultural and diversity appreciation initiatives Multicultural and diversity appreciation initiatives Social skills training – communication, anger Social skills training – communication, anger management, conflict resolutionmanagement, conflict resolution

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Staff Responses to a Bully SituationStaff Responses to a Bully Situation

Stop the bullying behavior when it occurs and ensure that all Stop the bullying behavior when it occurs and ensure that all involved are safe.involved are safe.Speak privately to the students involved, including Speak privately to the students involved, including bystanders.bystanders.Name the bullying behavior and refer to the school rulesName the bullying behavior and refer to the school rulesEncourage the students who are bullied to complete a report Encourage the students who are bullied to complete a report of bullying and assist the students with completing the form of bullying and assist the students with completing the form if needed. if needed. Impose appropriate immediate remedial actions or Impose appropriate immediate remedial actions or consequences; report known or observed incidents to a consequences; report known or observed incidents to a school administratorschool administratorSupport the student who is bullied Support the student who is bullied Encourage and praise bystanders/witnesses who report acts Encourage and praise bystanders/witnesses who report acts of bullyingof bullying

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ResourcesResources

Board of Education Policy JHFBoard of Education Policy JHF, Bullying, , Bullying, Harassment, or IntimidationHarassment, or Intimidation

MCPS Regulation JHF-RA, MCPS Regulation JHF-RA, Bullying, Harassment, Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidationor Intimidation

School Resources for Harassment, Intimidation, School Resources for Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying, MCPSand Bullying, MCPS

Community Resources and Internet Sites Community Resources and Internet Sites Regarding Bullying, MCPSRegarding Bullying, MCPS

Problem Solving for Student Success, MCPSProblem Solving for Student Success, MCPS

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Elementary ResourcesElementary Resources

Positive Behavioral Positive Behavioral Interventions and Interventions and Supports (PBIS)Supports (PBIS)

Stop Bullying NowStop Bullying Now

No PutdownsNo Putdowns

Bullyproofing Your SchoolBullyproofing Your School

Second StepSecond Step

Character CountsCharacter Counts

Stop Picking on MeStop Picking on Me

Stand Up Against BulliesStand Up Against Bullies

Secondary ResourcesSecondary Resources

Positive Behavioral Positive Behavioral Interventions and Interventions and Supports (PBIS)Supports (PBIS)

Student Assistance Student Assistance ProgramProgram

Stop Bullying NowStop Bullying Now

It’s All About RespectIt’s All About Respect

Bullyproofing Your SchoolBullyproofing Your School

Second StepSecond Step

Character CountsCharacter Counts

The Bully, The Bullied, The Bully, The Bullied, and Beyondand Beyond

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Web ResourcesWeb Resourceswww.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.govwww.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.govwww.stopbullyingnow.comwww.stopbullyingnow.comwww.bullying.orgwww.bullying.orgwww.safeyouth.comwww.safeyouth.comwww.cyberbullying.comwww.cyberbullying.comwww.safeyouth.orgwww.safeyouth.orgwww.inthemix.org/bullyingwww.inthemix.org/bullyingwww.kidshealth.orgwww.kidshealth.orgwww.pta.org/bullying.aspwww.pta.org/bullying.aspwww.stopbullyingworld.comwww.stopbullyingworld.comhttp://www.netsmartzkids.org/indexFL.htmhttp://www.netsmartzkids.org/indexFL.htm

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Books for EducatorsBooks for Educators

Bullying in SchoolsBullying in Schools, P.Langdon, P.LangdonHow to Handle a BullyHow to Handle a Bully, L. Mintle, L. MintleBullying, Implications for the ClassroomBullying, Implications for the Classroom, ,

C. SandersC. SandersThe Bully, the Bullied, and the BystanderThe Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander, ,

B. ColorosoB. ColorosoThe Bully Free ClassroomThe Bully Free Classroom, A. Beane, A. BeaneAnd Words Can Hurt ForeverAnd Words Can Hurt Forever, J. Garbarino and , J. Garbarino and

E. deLaraE. deLara

2020

Articles for EducatorsArticles for EducatorsA Bully-Free SchoolA Bully-Free School

Educational Leadership, December 2009/January 2010Educational Leadership, December 2009/January 2010

School Climate Through Students’ EyesSchool Climate Through Students’ Eyes Educational Leadership, December 2008/January 2009Educational Leadership, December 2008/January 2009

Civility Speaks UpCivility Speaks Up Educational Leadership, September 2008Educational Leadership, September 2008

Bullying in the Middle School: Prevention and Bullying in the Middle School: Prevention and InterventionIntervention

Middle School Journal, 2006Middle School Journal, 2006

Bully Intervention Strategies that WorkBully Intervention Strategies that Work Education World, May 2005Education World, May 2005

Nature and the Extent of Bullying at SchoolsNature and the Extent of Bullying at Schools Journal of School Health, 2003Journal of School Health, 2003

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Reporting Reporting Incidences Incidences

of of BullyingBullying

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Reporting Incidences of BullyingReporting Incidences of Bullying

Any student, parent, close adult relative, or staff Any student, parent, close adult relative, or staff member may report an act of bullying, harassment, member may report an act of bullying, harassment, or intimidation, using MCPS Form 230-35: or intimidation, using MCPS Form 230-35: Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form.Form.

MCPS Reporting Form is available on the MCPS MCPS Reporting Form is available on the MCPS website and must be available from administrative website and must be available from administrative offices, counseling offices, media centers, and offices, counseling offices, media centers, and health rooms. Schools must inform students, health rooms. Schools must inform students, families, and staff how and where to obtain report families, and staff how and where to obtain report forms.forms.

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Verbal Reports of BullyingVerbal Reports of BullyingIf the school receives a verbal report of bullying, If the school receives a verbal report of bullying, school staff should inform the reporter of the school staff should inform the reporter of the existence of the bullying report form and encourage existence of the bullying report form and encourage the reporter to complete the form.the reporter to complete the form.If the reporter needs assistance completing the report If the reporter needs assistance completing the report form, school staff will assist.form, school staff will assist.If the reporter does not wish to complete an MCPS If the reporter does not wish to complete an MCPS Form 230-35, the incident is investigated and Form 230-35, the incident is investigated and resolved following system/school discipline resolved following system/school discipline procedures. No paperwork is completed and no procedures. No paperwork is completed and no file/report is made.file/report is made.

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Investigating Reported Instances Investigating Reported Instances of Bullyingof Bullying

After receiving MCPS Form 230-35, the After receiving MCPS Form 230-35, the school principal/designee investigates the school principal/designee investigates the incident and documents the investigation incident and documents the investigation by completing MCPS Form 230-36: by completing MCPS Form 230-36: Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Incident School Investigation Form Incident School Investigation Form within within two school daystwo school days..Using both MCPS Form 230-35 and Form Using both MCPS Form 230-35 and Form 230-36, school staff complete an 230-36, school staff complete an entry/report in the OASIS bullying module.entry/report in the OASIS bullying module.

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Remedial Actions and Remedial Actions and ConsequencesConsequences

Based on the findings of the Based on the findings of the investigation, the administrator investigation, the administrator shall:shall:take immediate and appropriate steps to take immediate and appropriate steps to discipline the offender discipline the offender

support the student who was bullied support the student who was bullied

protect the student from reprisals prevent protect the student from reprisals prevent recurrence. recurrence.

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Working together, we can Working together, we can create/maintain a school create/maintain a school

environment free of bullying environment free of bullying and in which every student and in which every student

feels comfortable, supported, feels comfortable, supported, and safe.and safe.