Bullying Prevention Regulation

(Board of Education Policy #5040-R)

The Guilderland Central School District will follow these procedures in an effort to prevent bullying, intimidation and harassment; to support respect and dignity for all students and staff; to ensure adult intervention when bullying may occur; and to include a discipline component should a bullying incident take place. Key individuals such as the principal, teacher, bus driver or any adult in a school setting can help to set the tone in preventing a bullying situation from taking place or putting a stop to any harmful act. Staff members must recognize the warning signs of bullying behavior and their absolute responsibility to become actively involved in the prevention of bullying. By the very nature of their duties and involvement with students, staff members can help to ensure that children understand the harmful effects unkind acts can cause and the negative impact that bullying behavior can have on its victims. Everyone has a responsibility to prevent bullying from occurring!

• There will be ongoing education and discussion to establish and maintain school communities of respect and cooperation. Bullying, harassment, or intimidation is not acceptable behavior at any time. Building principals and supervisors are expected to assume a pivotal role in leading the conversation that bullying is not okay!

• All new employees should attend training about the prevention of bullying, harassment and intimidation.

• All staff members must be alert to bullying, take appropriate action when bullying occurs, and help to engender an atmosphere where bullying is not tolerated at school or school-related activities.

• When incidents of bullying are reported, follow-up by the administration is important.

• A confidential survey of students will be conducted. The results will be used to assess changes to policy and procedures as well as training programs. Follow-up surveys will be conducted as necessary.

• Parents will receive information about bullying prevention and what steps to follow to report a bullying incident.

• Initially, the district will adopt the Olweus bully prevention program. Training of all staff will be done on this bullying prevention program and form the basis of our policy and procedures. This comprehensive prevention/intervention program will be implemented K-12 until such time as an agreed upon change is warranted.

• Disciplinary consequences for bullying will be outlined in the district’s Code of Conduct and will be based on the type of offense, number of occurrences, and developmental level of the student.

• Incident Report Forms will remain on file in the principal’s office.

GUIDELINES FOR ADDRESSING INCIDENTS INVOLVING A CHILD BEING BULLIED AT SCHOOL

1. The administrator, teacher, or other staff member who receive information should prepare a written record of the details. All information shall be shared first with the instructional supervisor, athletic director or special education administrator if applicable and then forwarded to the building administrator or designee immediately. All incidents must be recorded so that data can be tracked and analyzed for future program planning and to document student patterns.

2. Teachers and administrators should assure parents and/or students reporting an incident that such information is taken seriously. The issue will be investigated and parents and/or students will be informed of the relevant findings. However, because of privacy requirements parents will not be informed of the disciplinary consequences relating to other children. At all times, confidentiality must be maintained.

3. As soon as possible after a report of bullying has been received, the teacher and/or administrator will investigate the matter by meeting individually with the alleged bully (or bullies), the victim(s), and any witnesses.

4. If the results of the investigation indicate that the complaint was justified, the teacher and/or administrator will contact the parents of the students involved. A meeting at school may also be appropriate and necessary. The focus of such discussion will be to:

   • Review the results of the investigation.

   • Reiterate the seriousness of the situation and that any acts of bullying are unacceptable.

   • Assign consequences in accordance with the district’s Code of Conduct.

   • Provide any support services to student(s) as may be needed.

   • Commend those individual(s) who brought the matter to the attention of school officials.

   • Restate our school district’s commitment to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff.

Teachers, students, support staff, parents and administrators must work as a team to prevent bullying from occurring and to take action against bullying when it does take place.

Cross References:   

• District Code of Conduct

• Olweus Program Materials

• Policy #5020.1 Sexual Harassment

• Policy #5020.2 Racial Harassment of Students

• Policy #5030 Hazing

• Policy #5310 Student Discipline

Approved: December 9, 2003

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