BULLYING

The Searcy County School District has an obligation to and is committed to providing a safe learning environment for each student.  Student achievement is best attained in an atmosphere that is free from the fear of emotional and physical intimidations and threats.  Marshall Elementary School will not tolerate any behavior that is classified under the definition of bullying.

Respect for the dignity of others is a cornerstone of civil society.  Bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, robs a person of his/her dignity, detracts from the safe environment necessary to promote student learning, and will not be tolerated by the Searcy County School District.  Students who bully another person shall be held accountable for their actions whether they occur on school equipment or property; off school property at a school sponsored or approved function, activity, or event; going to or from school or a school activity in a school vehicle or school bus; or at  designated school bus stops.  

DEFINITIONS:
Bullying means the intentional harassment , intimidation, humiliation, ridicule, defamation, or threat or incitement of violence by a student against another student or public school employee by a written, verbal, electronic, or physical act that causes or creates a clear and present danger of:

• Physical harm to a public school employee or student or damage to the public school employee’s or student’s property;
• Substantial interference with a student’s education or with a public school employee’s role in education;
• A hostile educational environment for one (1) or more students or public school employee due to the severity, persistence, pervasiveness of the act; or
• Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational environment;

Electronic act means without limitation a communication or image transmitted by means of an electronic device, including without limitation a telephone, wireless phone or other wireless communications device, computer, or pager that results in the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational environment.
Electronic acts of bullying are prohibited whether or not the electronic act originated on school property or with school equipment, if the electronic act is directed specifically at students or school personnel and maliciously intended for the purpose of disrupting school, and has a high likelihood of succeeding in that purpose. Cyberbullying of school employees is expressly prohibited; 
Harassment  means a pattern of unwelcome verbal or physical conduct relating to another person’s constitutionally statutorily protected status that causes, or reasonably should be expected to cause, substantial interference with other’s performance in the school environment; and 
Substantial disruption means without limitation that any one or more of the following occur as a result of the bullying:

• Necessary cessation of instruction or educational activities;
• Inability of students or educational staff to focus on learning or function as an educational unit because of a hostile environment;
• Severe or repetitive disciplinary measures are needed in the classroom or during educational activities; or
• Exhibition of other behaviors by the students or educational staff that substantially interfere with the learning environment.

Examples of “Bullying” may include but are not limited to a pattern of behavior involving one or more of the following:

1. Sarcastic “compliments” about another student’s personal appearance,
2. Pointed questions intended to embarrass or humiliate,
3. Mocking, taunting or belittling,
4. Non-verbal threats and/or intimidation such as “fronting” or “chesting” a person, 
5. Demeaning humor relating to a student’s race, gender, ethnicity or personal characteristics,
6. Blackmail, extortion, demands for protection money or other involuntary donations or loans,
7. Blocking access to school property or facilities,
8. Deliberate physical contact or injury to person or property,
9. Stealing or hiding books or belongings, and/or
10. Threats of harm to student(s), possessions, or others,
11. Sexual Harassment
12. Teasing or name-calling based on the belief or perception that an individual is not conforming to expected gender roles or conduct or is homosexual, regardless of whether the student self-identifies as homosexual. (i.e. “you are so gay.” “fag” “queer”)

Students are encouraged to report behavior they consider to be bullying; including a single action, which if allowed to continue, would constitute bullying, to their teacher or the building principal.  The report may be made anonymously.  Teachers and other school employees who have witnessed, or are reliably informed that, a student has been a victim of behavior they consider to be bullying, including a single action which if allowed to continue would constitute bullying, shall report the incident(s) to the principal.  Parents or legal guardians may submit written reports of incidents they feel constitute bullying, or if allowed to continue would constitute bullying, to the principal.  The principal shall be responsible for investigating the incident(s) to determine if disciplinary action is warranted.

The person or persons reporting behavior they consider to be bullying shall not be subject to retaliation or reprisal in any form.

Students found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.  In determining the appropriate disciplinary action, consideration may be given to other violations of the student handbook which may have simultaneously occurred.

Notice of what constitutes bullying, the Searcy County School  District’s prohibition against bullying, and the consequences for students who bully shall be conspicuously posted in every classroom, cafeteria, restroom, gymnasium, auditorium, and school bus.  Parent, students, school volunteers, and employees shall be given copies of the notice.  

6.22.15