Bullying

Photo retrieved from www.sacschool.com

An Act Relative to Bullyingin Schools• Signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick 2010

• New Amendment signed into law 2013

• New Amendment signed into law 2014

See: MGL Ch. 71, Section 370

Photo retrieved at: oxcentric.oxme.info

Retrieved from www.educatorstechnology.com

What is Bullying?“Bullying” is the repeated use by one or

more students or by a member of the school

staff including, but not limited to, an educator,

administrator, school nurse, cafeteria worker,

custodian, bus driver, athletic coach, advisor

to an extracurricular activity or paraprofessional of a written,

verbal, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture,

or any combination thereof, directed at a Victim that:

• causes physical or emotional harm to the Victim or damage to the Victim’s property;

• places the Victim in reasonable fear of harm to him/herself, or of damage to his/her property;

• creates a Hostile Environment at School for the Victim;

• infringes on the rights of the Victim at the School; or

• materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of the School.

Photo retrieved from: http://megaupl0ad.pw/free/bullying%20posters

Some examples of bullying

• unwanted teasing

• threatening

• intimidating

• stalking

• Cyber-Stalking

• Physical violence

• theft

• sexual, religious, racial or any other type of harassment

• public humiliation

• destruction of School or personal property

• social exclusion, including incitement and/or coercion

• rumor or spreading of falsehoods

What is Cyber-Bullying?“Cyber-Bullying” means Bullying through the use of technologyor any electronic communication, which shall include, but shallnot be limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images,sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in wholeor in part by a:

• Wire, radio, electromagnetics, photo-electronic or photo-optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications.

Cyber-Bullying shall also include the creation of a web page orblog in which the creator assumes the identity of anotherperson or knowingly impersonates another person as author ofposted content or messages, if the creation or impersonationcreates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition ofBullying.

• Cyber-Bullying shall also include the distribution by electronicmeans of a communication to more than one person or theposting of material on an electronic medium that may beaccessed by one or more persons, if the distribution orposting creates any of the conditions enumerated in thedefinition of Bullying. Retrieved from: www.k12posters.com

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Incident Report Form Process

Bullying, Retaliation, Cyber-Bullying Report is made to:

Staff Member/Assistant Principal

Staff Member must immediately report to Administration

Administration conducts investigation

Action Taken:

Safeguard Victim

Intervention Plan/Discipline

Parents Informed

Administration conducts investigation

Action Taken:

Safeguard Victim

Intervention Plan/Discipline

Parents Informed

Photos Retrieved fromTop: Infantes.linio.comMiddle Stop Bullying in Illinois Schools (forcechange.com)

Bottom: The Kathy Rinaldi Hope Foundation

How do I report bullying?

• Students/Parents

1. Reports of Bullying or Retaliation may be made by speaking to someone you trust at school: a teacher, guidance counselor, a nurse, or a coach. Tell your parents and ask them to help you speak to someone you trust at school.

2. Email bullyingreport@spmguardians.org

3. Call the school and make a report to Mr. Driscoll

4. Fill out a Bullying Incident Report available in the following locations: Main Office Assistant Principal’s Office Guidance Office Director of International Students’ Office Nurse’s Office On the school homepage at http://www.spmguardians.org/PDFs/BullyingReportForm.pdf

All reports will be directed to Mr. Driscoll who will conduct an investigation.

Please note that Reports may be made anonymously, but no disciplinary action will be taken against an alleged Perpetrator soley on the basis of an anonymous report.

What is Retaliation?

• “Retaliation” means any form of intimidation,reprisal, or harassment directed against a studentwho reports Bullying, provides information duringan investigation of Bullying, or witnesses or hasreliable information about Bullying.

Image retrieved from: willUstand.com

STAND UP; Don’t stand by

• Tattling, Ratting-Out, Snitching

is telling to get someone in trouble

• Reporting is telling to get someone

out of trouble.

The Guardian Pledge

I believe that because every human being is made in the image and likeness of God; all students regardless of race, color, religion, nationality, size, gender, popularity, athletic, academic, or social ability, or intelligence has the right to feel safe, secure, and respected.

I pledge to: Treat all students with kindness respect. Be aware of SPM’s anti-bullying plan Support students who have been victims of bullies Speak out against bullying in all its forms: social, emotional and physicalNotify a parent, teacher, or administrator when bullying occurs Be a good role model for other studentsNever resort to bullying tactics, including verbal, physical, or cyberbullying

Resources:

• http://www.doe.mass.edu/bullying/

• http://www.ed.gov/category/keyword/bullying

• http://www.stopbullying.gov

• http://www.standuptobullying.org/about.html

• http://www.aasa.org/content.aspx?id=218

• http://www.safeschools.info/docman/cat_view/16-bullying-prevention-resources

• http://www.cyberbullying.org

• http://www.isafe.org

• http://www.getnetwise.org

• http://www.wiredsafety.org

• http://www.worcesterda.com