The School Committee 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 cyber-bullying.
“Bullying” is the repeated use by one or more students or school staff members of a written, verbal, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at a target that:
● causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property;
● places the target in reasonable fear of harm to themselves, or of damage to their property;
● creates a hostile environment at school for the target;
● infringes on the rights of the target at school; or
● materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.
“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.
Cyber-bullying shall also include the creation of electronic medium 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/guardians 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 school district;
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 school district 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.
