Anti-Bullying/Anti-Hazing Policy
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Defintions and Policy
Aggressor is a student who engages in bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation.
Bullying, as defined in M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O, 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: causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property; places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her property; creates a hostile environment at school for the target; infringes on the rights of the target at school; or materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.
Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of technology or electronic devices such as telephones, cell phones, computers, and the Internet. It includes, but is not limited to, email, instant messages, text messages, and Internet postings. See M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O for the legal definition of cyberbullying.
Hazing is the term used in this section to mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. CCLCS abides by MGL 269, 17-19. A copy of this section of the Mass General Laws can be found on our school website under State Accountability.
Hostile environment, as defined in M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O, is a situation in which bullying causes the school environment to be permeated with intimidation, ridicule, or insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of a student’s education.
Retaliation is any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment directed against a student who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying.
Staff includes, but is not limited to, educators, administrators, counselors, school nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, athletic coaches, advisors to extracurricular activities, support staff, or paraprofessionals.
Target is a student against whom bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation has been perpetrated.
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Harassment, intimidation or bullying may take many forms including: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendoes, demeaning comments, drawing cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, social exclusion or isolation, or other written, electronically transmitted acts (via email, website postings, blogs, or cell phones), oral or physical actions.
Since bystander support of harassment or bullying (“egging on”) can reinforce these behaviors, CCLCS prohibits both active and passive support for acts o harassment or bullying. Students are encouraged to resist active or passive involvement in these acts when they see them, constructively attempt to stop them, and report them to a teacher or staff member.
Counseling, corrective discipline, and/or referral to law enforcement will be used to change the behavior of a student who violates this policy, and to remediate the impact on the victim. This includes appropriate intervention(s), restoration of a safe and welcoming climate, and support for victims and others affected by the violation. False reports or retaliation for harassment, intimidation or bullying also constitutes violations of this policy.
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