V. A. 17. Services for Homebound or Hospitalized Students

   V. C. 13.

Anti-Bullying Policy

1. Aim:

The West Warwick Public Schools is committed to providing a safe and civil environment for its students to learn and achieve high academic standards. Harassment, intimidation or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behavior, is a conduct that disrupts both a student’s ability to learn and the school’s ability to educate. Bullying will not be tolerated and all possible steps will be taken to ensure that bullying becomes an unacceptable practice. The goal of this policy is to foster a safe and disciplined environment that is conducive to learning, where individuals treat each other with civility and respect. To accomplish this goal, this policy will be widely disseminated to inform everyone in the schools and the community of its provisions. It is indeed everyone’s responsibility to prevent bullying from happening and it is our aim to challenge attitudes about bullying behavior, increase understanding for the victims of bullying and help build an anti-bullying ethos in our schools.

2.      Prohibition against Bullying or Harassment:

Bullying is prohibited in the public schools of West Warwick, RI [R.I.G.L. 16-21-26]. The prevention of bullying and harassment is part of West Warwick school district’s strategic plan [R.I.G.L. 16-7.1-2 (e)] and the school system safety plan [R.I.G.L. 16-21-24].

3.      Definition:

Bullying or harassment is any single behavior or repetitive incident, directed towards others by individuals or groups at school (4), that is unwelcome, degrading, violent, abusive or offensive. It may also include, but is not limited to, physical aggression, exclusionary (social) aggression, verbal aggression, written aggression, intimidation, sexual harassment,* racial/ cultural/ ethnic harassment,** and/or shunning.***

Examples:

Physical aggression – physical harm to others (pushing, slapping, punching, kicking, etc.) or destruction/ taking of one’s personal property

Exclusionary aggression – deliberate and/or malicious exclusion from a peer group or   clique, shunning, ostracizing, isolating of others, etc.

Verbal aggression – malicious rumors about a person, one’s family or friends, racial slurs, name calling, teasing, taunting, threatening, disparagement, continual criticism, etc.

Written aggression – threatening or disparaging notes, graffiti, posters, cards, pictures, etc. This may include harassment via Internet or cell phone which directly or indirectly affects the ability of the student to function within the school environment.

Intimidation – harassing phone calls, “dirty” tricks, taking of another’s possessions without the owner’s consent, extortion of money, lunches, or possessions, “stand over” behavior, gang, or “gang like” behavior, psychological pressure, stalking, hazing, etc.

*Sexual harassment—comments or actions of a sexual nature which make the

recipient uncomfortable (see the West Warwick Public Schools’ Sexual

Harassment policy)

**Racial/cultural/ethnic harassment—comments or actions containing racial or

ethnic overtones which make the recipient uncomfortable

***Shunning – comments or actions by a student or group of students intended to shun or spread malicious rumors about another student.

4.      At School:

In the context of these regulations, the phrase at school includes the

following places and situations:

·        in a classroom

·        elsewhere in the school

·        anywhere on school property

·        any place immediately adjacent to school property

·        on a school bus or other school vehicle

·        at school bus stops

·        while students are walking to and from school

·        at any school sponsored activity or event, whether or not the activity or event is held on the school premises

·        harassment conducted outside of school that “spills over” into the school and directly affects the ability of the student   to   function   within   the   school environment

5.      Discipline/Consequences:

Any student who engages in bullying as set forth in this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action as set forth in the West Warwick V.C.1 system-wide Discipline Policy including, but not limited to:

West Warwick V.C. 1 (Systemwide Discipline Policy)

West Warwick V.C. 11 (Middle School and Senior High School Discipline Policy)

West Warwick School Department V.C. 11a (John F. Deering Middle School Discipline and Special Policies)

West Warwick School Department John F. Deering Middle School Student Code of Conduct Handbook

West Warwick School Department V.C. 11b (West Warwick Senior High School Code of Conduct)

West Warwick School Department V.C. 12 (Social Suspension Policy)

West Warwick School Department V.C. 5 Student Hazing Policy

West Warwick School Department III T Sexual Harassment Policy

6.      Responsibilities:

      a. Administration –

The principal, or his or her designee, shall investigate all allegations of bullying. If the allegation is found to be a credible first offense, appropriate disciplinary sanctions/actions, subject to any appropriate due process procedures may be imposed at his/her discretion. If the incident represents a second offense for the same student, action must be administered according to the disciplinary code(s).   If the bullying involves conduct that violates the criminal law, the police must be notified. In all cases, attempts shall be made to notify the parents of both the bully and the victim to inform them of the situation. In cases where the parent(s) or guardian(s) cannot be reached by phone, a letter shall be sent.

If a student is the victim of serious or persistent bullying, the principal or his /her designee shall prepare a written school safety plan outlining what steps will be taken to provide the student with a safe educational environment. The plan shall be developed, if possible, with input   from   the   parents.   Staff members who are to implement the plan must be afforded an opportunity to assist in formulating it.

      b. Staff –

School staff (in this context, the staff includes volunteers working in the school) shall take all reasonable measures to prevent bullying. School employees and volunteers who have witnessed, have reliable information, or have reason to believe that a pupil has been subjected to harassment, intimidation, or bullying, whether written, verbal, or physical, shall report the incident to the designated or appropriate school official. Although reporting is not a requirement under RI General Laws, a school employee who promptly reports such an incident in compliance with the procedures set forth by the West Warwick School System shall not be liable for any damages arising from any failure to remedy the reported incident (R.I.G.L. S 0272-8). School employees or volunteers shall not attempt, nor should they solicit others with the attempt, to engage in reprisal, retaliation, or false accusation against a victim, witness, or any person with reliable information about an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

       c. Students –

Students who observe an act of bullying or who have reasonable grounds to believe that bullying is taking place are encouraged to report the bullying to designated, or appropriate school authorities. Any students who witness an act of bullying and who then encourage it, directly or indirectly, are themselves engaged in bullying. Consequently, they will be treated as having participated in bullying and are subject to the same discipline and consequences as the bully himself/herself.

The acts of reprisals or retaliation can have a chilling effect on a school environment and can create an atmosphere where violations of this policy may not be reported.

Students shall not attempt, nor should they solicit others with the intent, to engage in reprisal, retaliation, or false accusation against a victim, witness, or any person with reliable information about an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. False reports concerning bullying shall be subject to appropriate school discipline and shall include short term or long-term suspension or other appropriate interventions.

The consequence and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in reprisal or retaliation or false accusations shall be determined by the administrator after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, in accordance with case law, federal and state statutes and regulations, district policies and procedures.

7.      Procedures for Addressing an Incident of Bullying:

Any staff member who witnesses or has been reliably notified of any incident of bullying is encouraged to intervene, when safely possible. All instances of bullying should be reported to the appropriate or designated administrator. This should be followed by a detailed, written incident report from the staff member listing the time, place, location, all parties involved including witnesses, and any other details of occurrence. This written report should be delivered to the office, preferably within 24 hours of the occurrence of the incident.   If the staff member cannot safely intervene, assistance from the Administration and Resource Officer, Police Department, and/or a trained, designated substitute should be immediately called upon. If this is done, the person providing the assistance is also encouraged to file a similar incident report. Although reporting is not a requirement under RI General Laws, a school employee who promptly reports such an incident in compliance with the procedures set forth by the West Warwick School System shall not be liable for any damages arising from any failure to remedy the reported incident (R.I.G.L. S 0272-8).

The administration has the responsibility to investigate as discretely as circumstances permit with the victims and their families affected by repeated, severe, targeted, and/or physical bullying behavior, preferably within 48 hours of its occurrence.   The guidance department and teaching team will be notified of victimized students, as well as students who have participated in repeated, severe, targeted, and/or physical bullying behavior as defined in this policy. Parents of victims will be notified of, and offered any assistance, programs, services, or mediation available (whether or not they are requested or desired). A follow-up at administration level will be conducted in order to help the student(s) avoid isolation and to interact in a healthy manner within the school environment. Assistance may include, but is not limited to, an Individual Student Safety Plan, conferencing with Team for any educational concerns connected to repeated/severe/physical bullying, referral for mediation (if desired)   and, as a last resort, informed of any school transfer rights under the “No Child Left Behind” Act. Parents of bullying participants will be notified to meet with the administration and/or the guidance department.   Their child will be offered training for behavior modification, in addition to the appropriate level of discipline as mandated in this policy.   Bullying behavior that is persistent, physically abusive, or severe shall be immediately referred to the police and the Superintendent’s office. [RIGL 16-21-7, School Health Program; RIGL 16-21-23, School Safety Plan, “In the Matter of Jane AK Doe, Commissioner of Education, March 6, 1996, Responsibility for Student Safety.

8.      Education:

For Educators--The West Warwick Public Schools shall be required to provide training to all educators on all Anti-Bullying policies and available services, as well as the school district’s policies against harassment and intimidation.

a. For Other Staff, Employees, and Volunteers--Training must be provided for any school employees or volunteers who have significant contact with students. This includes, but is not limited to, custodial, clerical, and support staff, para-professionals, bus drivers, bus monitors, etc.

b. For Students--Students from Grades K through 12 shall receive education each year on the West Warwick Public Schools’ anti-bullying policies and available services for victims and bullies.   This must include education on the method(s) for reporting incidents of bullying as well as an opportunity for discussion of these policies and practices.

9.   Establishment of Bullying Prevention Programs:

Prevention is better than cure and, in the West Warwick Public Schools, we will be vigilant for signs of bullying and always take reports of incidents seriously. We will use curriculum whenever possible, to reinforce the ethos of the school and help students to develop strategies to combat bullying. The students must be told that they must report any incident of bullying to an adult within school. Every school must have a provision for school members to report incidents of bullying anonymously through “Bully Boxes”. The students will be provided with training in social skills by outside presentations and a social skills program under the auspices of the Guidance Department. The teachers will be encouraged to use every opportunity to reinforce the Code of Conduct as it relates to appropriate behavior in lessons and around the school site. Education for prevention will be delivered through written materials and tutorials which explain the Anti-Bullying Policy. These will be presented in student-friendly language through Guidance counselors, assemblies, presentations by outside agencies, and offsite activities. The students will be encouraged to develop acceptance, patience, trust, empathy, cooperation, understanding, respect for others, and themselves. The education will also include appropriate social skills training to help students avoid isolation and to ensure healthy interactions among themselves.

The District’s anti-bullying policy will be disseminated annually to all school staff, students, and parents, along with a statement explaining that it applies to all acts of harassment, intimidation, and bullying that occur on school property, at school sponsored functions, or on a school bus. All schools are encouraged to devote one week each year to conduct a Bullying Awareness Campaign. It should be conducted on a regular basis and should be used to enlighten the students; parents and community about the School District’s resolve to provide a safe and secure academic learning environment.

10.   Bullying Prevention Task Force:

Every school in the West Warwick School District shall establish a Bullying Prevention Task Force which shall be included as part of its School Improvement Team (SIT) and will be incorporated into the School Improvement Team’s Health and    Safety Strategic Goal Guidelines. It may be comprised of parents or guardians, pupils, school employees, volunteers, school administrators, and community representatives. Its purpose shall be to provide recommendations to evaluate, strengthen, revise, and implement anti-bullying policies as related to the individual school.   Each task force may also review, from time to time, the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Policy at  its respective school and suggest various programs to ensure the creation of a bullying free school.

11. District Anti-Bullying Policy Task Committee:

A district-wide Anti-Bullying Policy Task Committee shall be established. Its purpose will be to offer future recommendations to the school committee that will serve to evaluate, strengthen, and revise this district policy as necessary. The committee shall meet at least twice per school year, but may also convene as necessary. It may be comprised of parents or guardians, representatives from individual schools in West Warwick, pupils, school employees, volunteers, school administrators, and community representatives. The committee shall allow for open meetings and enrollment (representatives of any group may join and appear at meetings at any time).

12. Reports to the Superintendent:

The school principals or their designees will be required to provide the Superintendent with a semi-annual report regarding the incidents of bullying that have been reported in their respective schools along with a statement describing various positive remedial actions initiated to address the incidence of bullying.

Adopted:       7/13/04

Initials of Chairperson: __________