School Crisis Response - Bullying

1. School Crisis Response - Bullying Erica L. Horlbogen Spring 2010 LEAD 502

2. Introduction Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation disrupts educational environment for students, teachers, administrators and families. • 1 in 3 students' ages 12 -18 report being bullied in some fashion. • RI law requires schools to create harassment free, intimidation free and bully free environments in 2003. • RI schools must also be active preventing these behaviors. • Bully Police USA graded RI as an A for our law.

3. Definition • Any intentional written, verbal or physical act or threat. • Physically harms a student • Damages a students property • Places a student in reasonable fear of harm to their person or property. • Sever, persistent, or persuasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment of a student.

4. Bullying may involve: • Unwanted teasing • Threatening • Intimidating • Stalking • Cyber stalking • Cyber bullying • Physical Violence • Theft • Sexual, religious or racial harassment • Public Humiliation • Destruction of school to personal property • Social exclusion, including incitement and/or coercion. • Rumor or spreading of falsehoods.

5. Create a Bully Free Environment • Staff should model courteous behavior at all times. • Each student will be known by at least one certified teacher - advisor • Students will be encouraged to participate in a range of school activities focused on anti – clique behavior.

6. Education • All members of School Population - administrators, teachers, staff, students and families. • Schools Districts Policy • Means of Prevention. • Report Procedures • Disciplinary actions • Policy will be published on school website and in student/family handbook.

7. Social skills Training • Included in School Health & Physical Education Program. • School Counseling Services. • Teach students how to interact with each other in a healthy manner. • Effects of bullying.

8. Bully Prevention Task Force • Created by School Principal • Families • School Staff • Law Enforcement Officers • Community Members • Students • Create policies and programs to educate students, staff and families of healthy social interactions & harm caused buy bullying.

9. Response to Bullying - Report • Publicize reporting procedure • File a written complaint to an administrator. • Submitted by students and staff who experience, witness or reasonably suspect bullying occurred. • Every effort will be made to keep reports confidential. • Failure to report an act of bullying may result in disciplinary action. • Victims of bullying will not be disciplined for failing to report the bullying.

10. Response to Bullying – Investigation • Principal or designee will investigate. • Interviews - with alleged victim, alleged perpetrator, parents or guardians, witnesses and other appropriate people involved. • Gather evidence – E- bullying • Assessment of the effects of bullying on victim. • All interviews will be formally documented.

11. Response to Bullying – Response & Disciplinary Action • Alleged perpetrators are subject to school appropriate due process procedures. • Mediation between victim and perpetrator if appropriate. • If found in violation of bully policy they will receive appropriate disciplinary sanctions . • Outlined in student handbook. • Inform parents and families of all actions.

12. Response to Bullying - Police • Police will be notified when act violates criminal law. • Act is outside the scope of school • School district does not assume any liability for incidences that must be referred to external investigation • School will provide appropriate assistance to and intervention for victim.

13. Response to Bullying – Support for victim • Need to feel safe in school • In conference with victim and families…. • Separate victim and perpetrator – “Stay Away Agreement” and possible schedule changes. • Identify actions to increase victim safety – “Victim Safety Plan” • Inform family of legal rights. • Encourage to report additional incidences. • Referrals to school resource officer, counselors and other support services. • Additional monitoring of the victims safety.

14. Response to Bullying – Support for Perpetrator • Ensure safety of all students in the building • Conference with perpetrators families. • Legal Rights • Positive behavior plan. • Inform of disciplinary procedures in school and at home. • Discuss retaliation and disciplinary actions. • Referral to school counselor and appropriate school services.

15. Response to Bullying - Documentation Principal or designee will maintain a file • All Reports • All Interviews • Parent conferences • All agreements and plans. • All Referrals • Superintendant and School Committee will receive necessary reports regarding incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying that have taken place in the schools.

16. Sources • www.thriveri.org/documents/guidebullyingFDVRI.pdf • http://www.bullypolice.org/bully_policy.html • http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/bullying/draft-anti-bullying-policy-in.html • http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/statutes/title16/16-21/16-21-26.HTM • Draft Coventry Public Schools Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Policy retyped 4/14/2010 for review