BULLYING/CYBERBULLYING

Number: 249

Status: Active

Legal:

1. 24 P.S. 1303.1-A

2. 22 PA Code 12.3
3. Pol. 218
4. 24 P.S. 1302-A
6. Pol. 236
7. Pol. 233
Pol. 000
Pol. 103

Adopted: June 14, 2016

Last Revised: April 26, 2016

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.

DEFINITIONS

Bullying means an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting that is severe, persistent or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:[1]

  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.

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.[1]

AUTHORITY

The Board prohibits all forms of bullying by district students.[1]

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.

Any and all complaints related to the Food Services Program may also be filed with the District Administration in accordance with current applicable complaint policies and procedures set forth on the District's website (Board Policies 103, 103.1, 104, 219, 248, 249, 326, 348, 348.1) as applicable. All complaints received by the District Administration related to Food Services Program shall be placed in writing or transcribed by the District Administration's designated compliance officer. All such complaints will be forwarded by the District Administration's designated compliance officer to the applicable state and/or federal agencies as required by law (such as the FNS Regional Officer, FNS Officer of Civil Rights, or USDA Office of Civil Rights).

DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITY

Each student shall be responsible to respect the rights of his/her fellow students and to ensure an atmosphere free from bullying.

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

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that this policy and administrative regulations are reviewed annually with students.[1]

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.[1]

District administration shall annually provide the following information with the Safe School Report:[1]

  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.

GUIDELINES

The Code of Student Conduct, which shall contain this policy, shall be disseminated annually to students.[1][2][3]

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 website, if available.

EDUCATION

The district may develop and implement bullying prevention and intervention programs. Such programs shall provide district staff and students with appropriate training for effectively responding to, intervening in and reporting incidents of bullying.[4][1][6]

CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATIONS

A student who violates this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with the Code of Student Conduct, which may include but not be limited to:[1][3][7]

  1. Counseling within the school.

  2. Parental conference.

  3. Loss of school privileges.

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

  5. Exclusion from school-sponsored activities.

  6. Detention.

  7. Suspension.

  8. Expulsion.

  9. Counseling/Therapy outside of school.

  10. Referral to law enforcement officials.