Bullying, Cyberbullying and Retaliation in Schools

www.somerville.k12.ma.us/no_bullying

A safe learning environment is one in which every student develops emotionally, academically, and physically in a caring and supportive atmosphere free of intimidation and abuse. A goal of the Somerville Public Schools is to enhance and sustain safe and healthy learning environments. One way we are doing this is by reducing the reported incidence of bullying, cyberbullying and retaliation in every school through prevention, effective and compassionate intervention, and community-wide social promotion.

Bullying, cyberbullying and retaliation are prohibited on school grounds, property immediately adjacent to school grounds, at school-sponsored or school-related activities, functions or programs (whether on or off school grounds), at bus stops, on school busses or other vehicles owned or operated by the Schools or their contractors, or through the use of technology or electronic devices owned, leased or used by the District.

 What are bullying, cyberbullying and retaliation?

Bullying is “the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that:

i. causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property;

ii. places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her property;

iii. creates a hostile environment at school for the target;

iv. infringes on the rights of the target at school; or

v. materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.”

Repeated teasing that causes a student or group of students to feel unsafe may be bullying.

Incidents that takes place outside of the Somerville Public Schools, but impacts the safety of the learning environment may be bullying.

A single incident of teasing that purposefully tries to make another student to feel unsafe may be bullying.

A single incident of teasing that causes physical harm or may be interpreted as violating the civil rights of a student may be bullying and may be referred to the Somerville Police Department for investigation.