Bullying and Reporting
What is Bullying?
Bullying
Bullying is defined as systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees. The term “bullying” shall include “cyber-bullying.” It is further defined as unwanted and repeated written, verbal, or physical behavior, including any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, by a student or adult that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment; cause discomfort or humiliation; or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation; and may involve but is not limited to:
- teasing
- social exclusion
- threat
- intimidation
- stalking
- physical violence
- theft
- sexual, religious, and racial harassment
- public humiliation
- destruction of property
Bullying components can be defined in the acronym RIP:
- Repeated – occurs more than once
- Imbalance of Power – when a student, adult, or group is older, larger, or perceived to be smarter and/or more popular than the other and unfairly takes advantage of the unlevel playing field
- Purposeful – deliberate goal or intent
What is Harassment?
Harassment
Harassment involves any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing act or gesture; use of data or computer software; or written, verbal, or physical conduct directed against a student or school employee which places a student or school board employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property; has the effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits; or has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school or activity.
How to report bullying or harassment
Students can make an anonymous report by submitting a Bullying or Harassment Anonymous Reporting Form in our Stomp It. The froms are available in the School Counseling office in building 6 (see image below).
