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Bullying Intervention and Prevention Plan

LEVERETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BULLYING INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION PLAN


I. PRIORITY STATEMENT

Leverett Elementary School (LES) expects that all members of the school community will treat each other in a civil manner and with respect for differences.


LES is committed to providing all students with a safe, supportive environment that is free from bullying and cyberbullying. This commitment is an integral part of our comprehensive efforts to promote learning, and to prevent and eliminate all forms of bullying and other harmful and disruptive behavior that can impede the learning process.

We understand that members of certain student groups, such as students with disabilities, students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, and homeless students may be more vulnerable to becoming targets of bullying, harassment, or teasing. The school or district will take specific steps to create a safe, supportive environment for vulnerable populations in the school community, and provide all students with the skills, knowledge, and strategies to prevent or respond to bullying, harassment, or teasing. We repeat that this plan is not focused on any one group of students but strives to create a safe environment for that promotes positive peer relationships for everyone.


We will not tolerate any unlawful or disruptive behavior, including any form of bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation, in our school buildings, on school grounds, or in school-related activities. We will investigate promptly all reports and complaints of bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation, and take prompt action to end that behavior and restore the target’s sense of safety. We will support this commitment in all aspects of our school community, including curriculum, instructional programs, professional development, extracurricular activities, and parent/guardian involvement.


The LES Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan (“Plan”) is a comprehensive approach to addressing bullying and cyberbullying, and LES is committed to working with students, staff, families, law enforcement agencies, and the community to prevent issues of violence. In consultation with these constituencies, we have established this Plan for preventing, intervening, and responding to incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation.



II. DEFINITIONS

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:

i. causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property;

ii. places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her property;

iii. creates a hostile environment at school for the target;

iv. infringes on the rights of the target at school; or

v. materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.


Cyberbullying, as defined in M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O is bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications. Cyber-bullying shall also include (i) the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or (ii) the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in clauses (i) to (v), inclusive, of the definition of bullying. Cyber-bullying shall also include the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in clauses (i) to (v), inclusive, of the definition of bullying.


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.



III. RESPONSE AND INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES


A. Reporting bullying or retaliation. Reports of bullying or retaliation may be made by staff, students, parents or guardians, or others, and may be oral or written. Oral reports made by or to a staff member shall be recorded in writing. A school or district staff member is required, as a mandated reporter, to report immediately to the principal or designee (school psychologist, school nurse, teacher-in-charge) any instance of bullying or retaliation the staff member becomes aware of or witnesses. Reports made by students, parents/guardians, or other individuals who are not school or district staff members, may be made anonymously. The school or district will make a variety of reporting resources available to the school community including, but not limited to, an Incident Reporting Form, a voicemail box, a dedicated mailing address, and an email address.


Use of an Incident Reporting Form is not required as a condition of making a report. The school or district will: 1) include a copy of the Incident Reporting Form in the beginning of the year packets for students and parents or guardians; 2) make it available in the school’s main office, the psychologist’s office, and the school nurse's office; and 3) post it on the school’s website.


At the beginning of each school year, LES will provide the school community, including administrators, staff, students, and parents or guardians, with written notice of its policies for reporting acts of bullying and retaliation. A description of the reporting procedures and resources, including the name and contact information of the principal or designee, will be incorporated in student and staff handbooks, on the school or district website, and in information about the Plan that is made available to parents or guardians.


1. Reporting by Staff

As a Mandated Reporter, a staff member must report immediately to the principal or designee when he/she witnesses or becomes aware of conduct that may be bullying or retaliation, filing an incident report promptly. The requirement to report to the principal or designee does not limit the authority of the staff member to respond to behavioral or disciplinary incidents consistent with school or district policies and procedures for behavior management and discipline.


2. Reporting by Students, Parents or Guardians, and Others

The school or district expects students, parents/guardians, and others who witness or become aware of an instance of bullying or retaliation involving a student to report it to the principal or designee. Reports may be made anonymously, but no disciplinary action will be taken against an alleged aggressor solely on the basis of an anonymous report. Students, parents or guardians, and others may request assistance from a staff member to complete a written report. Students will be provided practical, safe, private and age-appropriate ways to report and discuss an incident of bullying with a staff member, or with the principal or designee.


B. Safety. Before fully investigating the allegations of bullying or retaliation, the principal or designee will take steps to assess the need to restore a sense of safety to the alleged target and/or to protect the alleged target from possible further incidents. Responses to promote safety may include, but not be limited to, creating a personal safety plan; pre-determining seating arrangements for the target and/or the aggressor in the classroom, at lunch, at recess, or on the bus; increase adult supervision at transition times and in locations where bullying is known to have occurred or is likely to occur; identifying a staff member who will act as a “safe person” for the target; and altering the aggressor’s schedule and access to the target. The principal or designee will take additional steps to promote safety during the course of and after the investigation, as necessary.


The principal or designee will implement appropriate strategies for protecting from bullying or retaliation a student who has reported bullying or retaliation, a student who has witnessed bullying or retaliation, a student who provides information during an investigation, or a student who has reliable information about a reported act of bullying or retaliation. The principal or designee will work closely with classroom teachers to insure that students who has reported bullying or retaliation, a student who has witnessed bullying or retaliation, a student who provides information during an investigation, or a student who has reliable information about a reported act of bullying or retaliation are protected. Remedies may include, but are not limited to, creating a personal safety plan; pre-determining seating arrangements for the target and/or the aggressor in the classroom, at lunch, at recess, or on the bus; increase adult supervision at transition times and in locations where bullying is known to have occurred or is likely to occur; identifying a staff member who will act as a “safe person” for the target; and altering the aggressor’s schedule and access to the target.


C. Counseling and other services. Leverett Elementary School will identify the availability of culturally and linguistically appropriate resources within the school and district. A listing will be available with the principal or designee. If resources need to be developed, LES will identify linkages with community based organizations, including Community Service Agencies (CSAs) for Medicaid eligible students. In addition, the school psychologist, nurse, and principal will assist in developing safety plans for students who have been targets of bullying or retaliation, providing social skills programs to prevent bullying, and offering education and/or intervention services for students exhibiting bullying behaviors. LES will utilize current tools including, but not limited to, behavioral intervention plans, social skills groups, and individually focused curricula.


D. Students with disabilities. As required by M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, as amended by Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010, when the IEP Team determines the student has a disability that affects social skills development or the student may participate in or is vulnerable to bullying, harassment, or teasing because of his/her disability, the Team will consider what should be included in the IEP to develop the student's skills and proficiencies to avoid and respond to bullying, harassment, or teasing.


E. Referral to outside services. Leverett Elementary School will establish a referral protocol for referring students and families to outside services. This protocol will include the school psychologist in collaboration with the principal and/or designee and nurse will help students and families access appropriate and timely services. In addition, a listing of local outside services will be available to parents/guardians. Referrals must comply with relevant laws and policies. Current local referral protocols should be evaluated to assess their relevance to the Plan, and revised as needed.


F. Investigation. The principal or designee will investigate promptly all reports of bullying or retaliation and, in doing so, will consider all available information known, including the nature of the allegation(s) and the ages of the students involved.


During the investigation the principal or designee will, among other things, interview students, staff, witnesses, parents/guardians, and others as necessary. The principal or designee (or whoever is conducting the investigation) will remind the alleged aggressor, target, and witnesses that retaliation is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.


Interviews may be conducted by the principal or designee, other staff members as determined by the principal or designee, and in consultation with the school psychologist, as appropriate. To the extent practicable, and given his/her obligation to investigate and address the matter, the principal or designee will maintain confidentiality during the investigative process. The principal or designee will maintain a written record of the investigation.


Procedures for investigating reports of bullying and retaliation will be consistent with school or district policies and procedures for investigations. If necessary, the principal or designee will consult with legal counsel about the investigation.


G. Determinations. The principal or designee will make a determination based upon all of the facts and circumstances. If, after investigation, bullying or retaliation is substantiated, the principal or designee will take steps reasonably calculated to prevent recurrence and to ensure that the target is not restricted in participating in school or in benefiting from school activities. The principal or designee will: 1) determine what remedial action is required, if any, and 2) determine what responsive actions and/or disciplinary actions are necessary.


Depending upon the circumstances, the principal or designee may choose to consult with the students’ teacher(s) and/or school psychologist, and the target’s or aggressor’s parents or guardians, to identify any underlying social or emotional issue(s) that may have contributed to the bullying behavior and to assess the level of need for additional social skills development.


The principal or designee will promptly notify the parents/guardians of the target and the aggressor about the results of the investigation and, if bullying or retaliation is found, what action is being taken to prevent further acts of bullying or retaliation. All notice to parents must comply with applicable state and federal privacy laws and regulations. Because of the legal requirements regarding the confidentiality of student records, the principal or designee cannot report specific information to the target’s parent or guardian about the disciplinary action taken unless it involves a “stay away” order or other directive that the target must be aware of in order to report violations.


VI. RANGE OF DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

If the principal or designee decides that disciplinary action is appropriate, the disciplinary action will be determined on the basis of facts found by the principal or designee, including the nature of the conduct, the age of the student(s) involved, and the need to balance accountability with the teaching of appropriate behavior. Discipline will be consistent with the Plan and with the Safe and Respectful Plan of LES. The range of disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to, restitution, behavior contract, suspension from school, expulsion, notification of local law enforcement agency. Repeated offences may result in more severe consequences.


Discipline procedures for students with disabilities are governed by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), which should be read in conjunction with state laws regarding student discipline.


DISCIPLINING OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

(from MGL 71, 37H & 37H1/2)


Authority of school personnel.

School personnel may consider any unique circumstances on a case-by-case basis when determining whether a change in placement is appropriate for a child with a disability who violates a code of student conduct. School personnel may remove a child with a disability who violates a code of student conduct from his or her current placement to an appropriate interim alternative educational setting, another setting, or suspension, for not more than 10 consecutive school days (to the extent those alternatives are applied to children without disabilities), and for additional removals of not more than 10 consecutive school days in that same school year for separate incidents of misconduct.

After a child with a disability has been removed from his or her current placement for 10 school days in the same school year, during any subsequent days of removal the public agency must provide services so as to enable the child to continue to participate in the general education curriculum to progress toward meeting the goals set out in the child's IEP and receive, as appropriate, a functional behavioral assessment, and behavioral intervention services and modifications, that are designed to address the behavior violation so that it does not recur.

For disciplinary changes in placement that would exceed 10 consecutive school days, if the behavior that gave rise to the violation of the school code is determined not to be a manifestation of the child's disability, school personnel may apply the relevant disciplinary procedures to children with disabilities in the same manner and for the same duration as the procedures would be applied to children without disabilities. The school is only required to provide services during periods of removal to a child with a disability who has been removed from his or her current placement for 10 school days or less in that school year, if it provides services to a child without disabilities who is similarly removed.




Manifestation determination

Within 10 school days of any decision to change the placement of a child with a disability because of a violation of a code of student conduct, the LEA, the parent, and relevant members of the child's IEP Team (as determined by the parent and the LEA) must review all relevant information in the student's file, including the child's IEP, any teacher observations, and any relevant information provided by the parents to determine if the conduct in question was caused by, or had a direct and substantial relationship to, the child's disability. If the LEA, the parent, and relevant members of the IEP Team make the determination that the conduct was a manifestation of the child's disability, the IEP Team must either conduct a functional behavioral assessment, unless the LEA had conducted a functional behavioral assessment before the behavior that resulted in the change of placement occurred, and implement a behavioral intervention plan for the child; or if a behavioral intervention plan already has been developed, review the behavioral intervention plan, and modify it, as necessary, to address the behavior; and return the child to the placement from which the child was removed, unless the parent and the LEA agree to a change of placement as part of the modification of the behavioral intervention plan.


Special circumstances.

School personnel may remove a student to an interim alternative educational setting for not more than 45 school days without regard to whether the behavior is determined to be a manifestation of the child's disability, if the child carries a weapon to or possesses a weapon at school, on school premises, or to or at a school, knowingly possesses or uses illegal drugs, or sells or solicits the sale of a controlled substance, while at school, on school premises, or has inflicted serious bodily injury upon another person while at school, on school premises.


If the principal or designee determines that a student intentionally made a false allegation of bullying or retaliation, that student may be subject to disciplinary action.


VII. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES

A. Notice to parents or guardians. Upon determining that bullying or retaliation has occurred, the principal or designee will promptly notify the parents or guardians of the target and the aggressor of this, and of the procedures for responding to it. There may be circumstances in which the principal or designee contacts parents or guardians prior to any investigation. Notice will be consistent with state regulations at 603 CMR 49.00.


B. Notice to Another School or District. If the reported incident involves students from more than one school district, charter school, non-public school, approved private special education day or residential school, or collaborative school, the principal or designee first informed of the incident will promptly notify by telephone the principal or designee of the other school(s) of the incident so that each school may take appropriate action. All communications will be in accordance with state and federal privacy laws and regulations, and 603 CMR 49.00.


C. Notice to Law Enforcement. At any point after receiving a report of bullying or retaliation, including after an investigation, if the principal or designee has a reasonable basis to believe that criminal charges may be pursued against the aggressor, the principal will notify the local law enforcement agency. Notice will be consistent with the requirements of 603 CMR 49.00 and locally established agreements with the local law enforcement agency. Also, if an incident occurs on school grounds and involves a former student under the age of 21 who is no longer enrolled in school, the principal or designee shall contact the local law enforcement agency if he or she has a reasonable basis to believe that criminal charges may be pursued against the aggressor.


In making this determination, the principal will, consistent with the Plan and with applicable school or district policies and procedures, consult with the Superintendent of Union 28 and other individuals the principal or designee deems appropriate.



VIII. BULLYING PREVENTION CURRICULUM

A. Specific bullying prevention approaches. Bullying prevention curriculum will be informed by current research, which, among other things, emphasizes the following approaches:


• using scripts and role-plays to develop skills

• empowering students to take action by knowing what to do when they witness other students engaged in acts of bullying or retaliation, including seeking adult assistance

• helping students understand the dynamics of bullying and cyberbullying, including the underlying power imbalance

• emphasizing cyber safety, including safe and appropriate use of electronic communication technologies

• enhancing students’ skills for engaging in healthy relationships and respectful communications

• engaging students in a safe, supportive school environment that is respectful of diversity and difference


Initiatives will also teach students about the student-related sections of the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan.


B. General teaching approaches that support bullying prevention efforts. The following approaches are integral to establishing a safe and supportive school environment. These underscore the importance of our bullying intervention and prevention initiatives:


• setting clear expectations for students and establishing school and classroom routines (LES’ Safe & Respectful Plan)

• creating safe school and classroom environments for all students, including for students with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender students, and homeless students

• using appropriate and positive responses and reinforcement, even when students require discipline

• using positive behavioral supports

• encouraging adults to develop positive relationships with students

• modeling, teaching, and rewarding pro-social, healthy, and respectful behaviors

• using positive approaches to behavioral health, including collaborative problem-solving, conflict resolution training, teamwork, and positive behavioral supports that aid in social and emotional development

• using the Internet safely

• supporting students’ interest and participation in non-academic and extracurricular activities, particularly in their areas of strength


C. LES Bullying Prevention and Intervention Curriculum. The foundation of behavior expectations at LES is the Safe & Respectful Plan (Appendix D). Each grade at LES has 30 minutes of social curriculum instruction per week, including bullying prevention and intervention. In Kindergarten through Grade 3, Second Steps is the evidence-based curriculum used and MARC anti-bullying curriculum supplements the Second Step lessons. Steps to Respect is the evidence-based curriculum used in Grades 4, 5, and 6.



VIII. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

A. Annual staff training on the Plan. Annual training for all school staff on the Plan will include staff duties under the Plan, an overview of the steps that the principal or designee will follow upon receipt of a report of bullying or retaliation, and an overview of the bullying prevention curricula to be offered at all grades throughout the school or district. Staff members hired after the start of the school year are required to participate in school-based training during the school year in which they are hired, unless they can demonstrate participation in an acceptable and comparable program within the last two years.


B. Ongoing professional development. The goal of professional development is to establish a common understanding of tools necessary for staff to create a school climate that promotes safety, civil communication, and respect for differences. Professional development will build the skills of staff members to prevent, identify, and respond to bullying. As required by M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O, the content of school wide and district-wide professional development will be informed by research and will include information on:


(i) developmentally (or age-) appropriate strategies to prevent bullying;

(ii) developmentally (or age-) appropriate strategies for immediate, effective interventions to stop bullying incidents;

(iii) information regarding the complex interaction and power differential that can take place between and among an aggressor, target, and witnesses to the bullying;

(iv) research findings on bullying, including information about specific categories of students who have been shown to be particularly at risk for bullying in the school environment;

(v) information on the incidence and nature of cyberbullying; and

(vi) Internet safety issues as they relate to cyberbullying.


Professional development will also address ways to prevent and respond to bullying or retaliation for students with disabilities that must be considered when developing students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). This will include a particular focus on the needs of students with autism or students whose disability affects social skills development.



IX. COLLABORATION WITH FAMILIES

A. Parent education and resources. Each year, the school or district will offer education programs for parents and guardians that are focused on the parental components of the anti-bullying curricula and any social competency curricula used by the district or school. The programs will be offered in collaboration with the PTO, School Council, Special Education Parent Advisory Council, or similar organizations.


B. Notification requirements. Each year the school or district will inform parents or guardians of enrolled students about the anti-bullying curricula that are being used. This notice will include information about the dynamics of bullying, including cyberbullying and online safety. The school or district will send parents written notice each year about the student-related sections of the Plan and the school's or district's Internet safety policy. All notices and information made available to parents or guardians will be in hard copy and electronic format. The school or district will post the Plan and related information on its website.


X. CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THIS PLAN

This Bulling Prevention and Intervention Plan was written in October 2010. Resources used to write it included An Act Relative to Bullying in Schools M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O; Model Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; the LES Safe & Respectful Program. The draft BIPP Plan was reviewed and edited by the LES staff, the LES School Council (including parents and members of the community), the School Safety Committee (including members of local law enforcement agencies), and the LES School Committee. The draft was then published for Public Comment in November 2010. The Plan was formally adopted by the LES School Committee on December 7, 2010 and then submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as required by law. The LES Student Contract for Internet Use, the Behavior and Discipline section of the Student Handbook, and the Staff Handbook were reviewed and amended to be in compliance with this Plan. The School Committee revised and adopted the Prohibition on Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Hazing & Bullying Policy File:ACAB. This plan will be reviewed and if necessary, revised and amended annually by the Safety Committee and the School Committee.