SECTION:     PUPILS

                                                                        TITLE:          BULLYING/CYBERBULLYING

                                                                        ADOPTED:  October 20, 2008

                                                                        REVISED:

 

                        BULLYING/CYBERBULLYING POLICY 249

 

1.  Purpose                 The Board is committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for district students.  The Board recognizes that bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious violence.  Therefore, the Board prohibits bullying by district students.

 

2.  Definitions            Bullying means an intentional electronic, written, verbal or

      SC  1303.1-A       physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, with a clear difference in power (physical, mental, and/or emotional), which occurs in a school setting and/or outside a school setting, that is persistent or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

 

1.      Substantial interference with a student’s education.

 

2.      Creation of a threatening environment.

 

3.      Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.

 

Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyberbullying. 

 

SC 1303.1-A          School setting means in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated bus stop or at any activity sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by the school.

 

3.  Authority          The Board prohibits all forms of bullying by district students.

     SC 1303.1-A                

                                The Board encourages students who have been bullied to promptly report such incidents to the building principal or designee.

 

                                The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified.  Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the district’s legal and investigative obligations.  No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying.

 

4.  Delegation of    Each student shall be responsible to respect the rights of others

     Responsibility  and to ensure an atmosphere free from bullying.

 

                                The Superintendent or designee shall develop administrative regulations to implement this policy.

 

    SC 1303.1-A      The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that this policy and administrative regulations are reviewed annually with students.

 

    SC 1303.1-A      The Superintendent or designee, in cooperation with other appropriate administrators, shall review this policy every three (3) years and recommend necessary revisions to the Board.

 

    SC 1303.1-A      District administration shall annually provide the following information with the Safe School Report:

 

1.      Board’s Bullying Policy.

 

2.      Report of bullying incidents.

 

3.      Information on the development and implementation of any bullying prevention, intervention or education programs.  

 

5.  Guidelines            The Code of Student Conduct, which shall contain this policy,

     SC 1303.1-a          shall be disseminated annually to students.

     Title 22

     Sec. 12.3

     Pol. 218

This policy shall be accessible in every classroom.  The policy shall be posted in a prominent location within each school building and on the district web site, if available.

 

 

Education

 

    SC 1302-A             The district may develop and implement bullying prevention

          1303.1-A          and intervention programs.  Such programs shall provide

    Pol. 236                  district staff and students with appropriate training for effectively responding to, intervening in and reporting incidents of bullying.

 

                                    Consequences For Violations

    SC 1303.1-A          A student who violates this policy shall be subject to appropriate 

    Pol. 218, 233         disciplinary action consistent with the Code of Student Conduct, which may include:

 

                                    Counseling within the school.

 

                                    Parental conference.

 

                                    Loss of school privileges.

 

                                    Exclusion from school-sponsored activities.

 

                                    Detention.

 

                                    Referral to law enforcement officials.

 

                                    Suspension.

 

                                    Expulsion.

 

                                    Counseling/Therapy outside of school.

 

                                    Transfer to another school building, classroom, or school bus.

 

 

 

                                    References:

                                   

                                    School Code-24 P.S. Sec. 1302-A, 1303.1-A

 

                                    State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 12.3

 

                                    Board Policy – 000, 218, 233, 236