Bullying Policy
St. Mary School’s Position Statement on a Healthy Catholic School Environment
The Diocese of Norwich, under the teaching authority of the Bishop, believes that schools should be healthy learning environments that are physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually safe, clean and secure. Our schools are founded on the principle of love espoused by Christ in St. Matthew’s Gospel. “You should Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole mind, and all your strength, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt:22, 37, 39) Catholic schools are designed to function as Christian laboratories for learning. Their environments enhance student learning which requires the attention of all community members. Safe and healthy environments require attention to physical conditions as well as the assurances of frequent, consistent and positive teacher-student and student-student interactions. Research shows that academic achievement improves in schools when students feel physically and emotionally safe and where cultures support reasonable rules that are carefully explained and fairly enforced. A healthy learning community that is safe and founded on the principles of love and moral behavior is the foundation for a comprehensive high quality Catholic education.
Recently, our society has become concerned about unsafe and unhealthy interactions in which some students engage. Parents and educators have long recognized the fact that children at times can be unkind and sometimes engage in unacceptable interactions with their peers. Although this behavior, in the past, has been viewed as the result of normal growth and development, parents and schools have disciplined and instructed those engaging in unacceptable behavior so that they could learn to live in an adult world and apply the moral code as established by Christ. Unfortunately, unacceptable behaviors have recently become exacerbated to the point where acts of bullying have become so serious that society in general has come to the realization that further interventions are necessary. Hence the need for a specific policy.
Bullying is defined as any overt action by a student or group of students directed against another student with the intent to ridicule, humiliate or intimidate the other student while on school grounds or at a school sponsored activity, which acts are repeated against the same student over time.
Bullying includes, but is not limited to, physical intimidation or assault; extortion; oral, written or electronic threats; teasing; “putdowns”; name-calling; threatening looks, gestures or actions; cruel rumors; false accusations; and social isolation.
Bullying and intimidation are actions which are contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church and are prohibited in all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Norwich. Behaviors characterized by bullying will not be tolerated during the school day or during any school-sponsored activities on or off school grounds
Any behavior deemed by the school administration to be considered as bullying, shall result in disciplinary actions which may include detention, suspension, and expulsion * from school. Any student who retaliates against another student for reporting bullying may be subject to disciplinary actions, which may also include detention, suspension and expulsion * from school.
*Bullying incidents that demand expulsion shall be reported to the superintendent of schools before any final decision is reached.
School Responsibilities
• Ensure that the learning environment is healthy and safe.
• Provide opportunities, to the extent feasible, for students to engage in activities that promote a positive school climate.
• Monitor and supervise all areas of the school to ensure the health and safety of all students, staff, families and visitors.
• Create personalized and nurturing learning environments.
• Take immediate action to identify and address all acts of mean-spirited words and actions including, but not limited to, name calling, teasing, exclusion, harassment and bullying behaviors.
• Send clear and consistent messages to students regarding their individual responsibility to behave responsibly and respectfully toward others.
• Enforce rules fairly and consistently and provide opportunities to develop and foster moral and ethical reasoning, self-control and a generalized respect for others.
• Use academic subjects, the teaching of the Catholic faith and teachable moments as methods for examining and reflecting upon respect and responsibility toward self and others.
• Incorporate conflict resolution techniques into school-based practices and provide students with the capacity and commitment to solve conflicts in fair, non-violent ways.
• Provide effective leadership to create a climate that supports student achievement and well-being.
• Maintain school environments that are welcoming and friendly.
Family Responsibilities
• Model respectful and appropriate treatment of others in accordance with the dictates of the Gospel
• Maintain a physically and emotionally healthy home based upon the Church’s view that all are created in the image and likeness of God
• Provide emotional support, set strong examples and correct inappropriate actions (resolving conflicts peacefully, demonstrating tolerance and respect for individual differences and encouraging lifelong learning.)
• Be involved and engaged in school programs, practices and activities.
• Be connected to their children’s academic and social lives (e.g., know where children are, know who their children’s friends are, and have regular conversations with children about their interest, their activities and their practice of the Catholic faith).
• Communicate regularly with classroom teachers and other relevant school personnel.
• Participate in collaborative and family functions.
• Participate in parent programs sponsored by the school; become familiar with school strategies for creating and sustaining a physically, emotionally, intellectually safe, healthy learning environment with morally acceptable behaviors based upon the teachings of the Catholic Church and contribute to these strategies.
• Ensure that children are prepared for school by getting adequate sleep, healthy meals, daily physical activity and provide an area at home that is conducive for study
• Ensure that children receive regular health care (e.g. immunizations, medical, dental and eye care.)
Student Responsibilities (as developmentally appropriate)
• Follow the laws, rules, policies and procedures of the classroom, school, community, Church, state and nation.
• Take advantage of the teaching, learning, and faith practicing opportunities that are provided.
• Recognize individual differences and diversity and demonstrate respect for all people as children of God.
• Contribute to creating and sustaining safe and healthy learning environments.
• Serve as positive role models for others in school, at home and in the wider community.
• Actively participate in school and church activities in addition to satisfying academic requirements.
• Assume leadership and/or supportive roles in school to support a positive, Christian, and productive learning community.
• Develop positive and meaningful relationships with peers and school personnel.
Procedure
• Professional school employees, students, and parents who become aware of any act of bullying or suspected bullying must report the incident directly to the school administrator for further investigation. This report should be made in writing or in person by appointment.
• Students may make informal complaints of conduct that they consider to be bullying by verbal report to a teacher or the administrator. Students may also report acts of bullying or suspected acts of bullying anonymously* by writing their concerns on paper and depositing them in a box located in the main office. Such informal complaints shall be reasonably specific as to the actions giving rise to the suspicion of bullying, including time and place of the conduct alleged, the number of such incidents, the target of such suspected bullying, and the names of any potential student or staff witnesses. * Anonymous complaints that are not otherwise verified shall not be the basis for disciplinary action.
• A teacher or other professional employee who receives an informal complaint shall promptly reduce the complaint to writing, including the information provided. Such written report by the teacher or other professional employee shall be promptly forwarded to the administrator for review and action.
• If, upon investigation, it is concluded that an act of bullying has occurred, the parents or guardians of the student who committed such acts and parents or guardians of the student against whom such acts were directed shall be notified.
• Consequences for students who bully others shall be determined based upon the seriousness of the actions and include parent conferences, recommended professional counseling , detention, suspension or expulsion*. Depending on the circumstances, the administrator may also take appropriate steps to ensure student safety. These may include a student safety plan separating and supervising students involved, providing staff for students as necessary, reporting incidents to law enforcement if appropriate, and establishing a supervision plan with parents.
*Bullying incidents that demand expulsion shall be reported to the superintendent of schools before any final decision is reached.
April 10, 2011
Last Review/Update: 04/10/2011