QPS Bullying Prevention Plan

Quincy Public Schools Bullying Intervention and Prevention Plan

Table of Contents

I. Overview

II. Leadership

III. Training and Professional Development

IV. Access to Resources and Services

V. Academic and Non-Academic Activities

VI. Policies/Procedures for Reporting and Responding to Bullying/Retaliation

VII. Collaboration with Families

VIII. Prohibition Against Bullying and Retaliation

IX. Problem Resolution System

X. Definitions

XI. Relationship to Other Laws

Appendix A: Sample Bullying Prevention and Intervention Incident Reporting Form

I. Overview

The goal of Quincy Public Schools is to enhance and sustain safe and healthy learning environments through a multi-tiered strategy - including prevention, effective and compassionate intervention, and community-wide social promotion. A safe learning environment is one in which every student develops emotionally, academically, and physically in a caring and supportive atmosphere free of intimidation and abuse.

For participants in, and observers of, the school community, bullying and harassment interfere with learning and healthy growth – both emotionally and academically. Bullying, cyberbullying, and/or retaliation also creates a hostile environment at school for the target(s), infringes on the rights of the target(s), and materially and substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the education process – regardless of whether said bullying takes place on school grounds and nearby properties, at school functions, or when using school technology. Bullying is:

Bullying is “the repeated use by one or more students or by a member of the school staff including, but not limited to an educator, administrator, school nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian, bus driver, athletic coach, advisor to an extracurricular activity or a paraprofessional of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target by the perpetrator 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.”

Bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation are prohibited on school grounds, property immediately adjacent to school grounds, at school-sponsored or school-related activities, functions or programs (whether on or off school grounds), at bus stops, on school busses or other vehicles owned or operated by the Schools or their contractors, or through the use of technology or electronic devices owned, leased or used by the District.

Bullying, cyberbullying and/or retaliation that create a hostile environment at school for the target(s), infringes on the rights of the target(s) while at school, or materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school – regardless of whether said bullying takes place on school grounds, nearby properties, at school functions or using school technology, are also prohibited. It is the responsibility of the School Administration and Principals to make clear to students and staff that bullying, cyberbullying, retaliation, and/or harassment in the school building, on school grounds, on the bus or school-sanctioned transportation, or at school-sponsored functions will not be tolerated. With the Plan, the district will empower administrators, faculty, school staff, and students to prevent bullying, intervene during instances of bullying, and promote social empathy and compassion through leadership, training, resources and services, collaboration, and clear policy and procedure.

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II. Leadership

Whole school and community leadership at all levels plays a critical role in the development and promotion of positive school climates. Leaders within Quincy Public Schools play a central role in teaching students to be civil to one another and promoting understanding of, and respect for, diversity and difference. Using the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan ("the Plan"), school and district leadership will be guided in their responsibilities - setting priorities, staying up-to-date with current research on the effective prevention and response to bullying, and implementing new and innovative tools to build and support inclusive learning environments.

Leadership at all levels plays a critical role in the development and implementation of the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plans (“the Plan”) in the context of other whole school and community efforts to promote positive school climate. Leaders within the Quincy Public Schools have a primary role in teaching students to be civil to one another and promoting understanding of and respect for diversity and difference. School and District Leadership is responsible for setting priorities and for staying up-to-date with current research on ways to prevent and effectively respond to bullying.

A. Planning and Oversight

Members of the Superintendent’s Leadership Team will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan. Specific planning and oversight responsibilities will include

  • Receiving reports on bullying

  • Collecting and analyzing building- and/or school-wide data on bullying to assess the present problem and to measure improved outcomes

  • Creating a process for recording and tracking incident reports, and for accessing information related to targets and aggressor

  • Planning for the ongoing professional development that is required by the law

  • Planning supports that respond to the needs of targets and aggressors

  • Choosing and implementing the curricula that the school or district will use

  • Developing new or revising current policies and protocols under the Plan, including an Internet safety policy, and designating key staff to be in charge of implementation of them

  • Amending District-level parent/guardian and staff handbooks and codes of conduct; offering assistance to Principals on the amendment of school or program-based student handbooks and codes of conduct

  • Leading the parent or family engagement efforts and drafting parent information materials

  • Reviewing and updating the Plan biannually as required by law.

B. Public Involvement in Developing the Plan

This Bullying Plan will be reviewed and updated biennially by the Superintendent’s Leadership Team to ensure its effectiveness, and establish strategies and indicators of continuous improvement in the effort to promote a safe and supportive learning environment. As required by M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O the Superintendent’s Leadership Team shall include representatives from the following groups:

  • Teachers and or guidance counselors/school psychologists/health educators

  • School staff

  • Professional support personnel

  • School volunteers

  • School administrators

  • Community representatives

  • Local law enforcement

  • Students

  • Parents/guardians.

Consultation will include, at a minimum, notice and a public comment period before the Plan is adopted by the school committee. In addition, the period of public comment will be open for at least three weeks soliciting feedback on improvements to the Bullying Plan from members of the community who may not be able to or comfortable with participating in a public meeting.

C. Assessing Needs and Resources

The biannual update of the plan shall include a review of available data on
social and emotional learning, the environment for the delivery of social-emotional instruction in schools, and data on school climate. This data includes:

  • Youth Risk Behavior Survey data collected and analyzed in partnership with the Bay State Community Services

  • Principals will assess the Social Emotional Learning outcomes for students as a strategy for documenting the school’s capacity to support social-emotional learning programs are (a) strong, and (b) need improvement

  • VOCAL surveys and/other school climate data.

This data shall be used to identify areas of programmatic strength, resource gaps and the most significant areas of need. Based on these findings, schools and districts will revise or develop policies and procedures; establish partnerships with community agencies, including law enforcement; and set priorities. This data shall also be used to set and monitor progress toward biannual improvement goals. The outcomes, which shall be updated biannually, will be considered in alignment with the District’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools Plan and Wellness Policy Implementation Plan. These goals and progress data shall be reported to the School Committee and other elected officials, and to the community on a regular basis.

Additionally, at least once every four years beginning with 2015/16 school year, the district will administer a Department of Elementary and Secondary-developed student survey to assess school climate and the prevalence, nature, and severity of bullying in our schools. Additionally, Quincy Public schools will annually report bullying incident data to the Department.

D. Priority Statement

We recognize that certain students may be more vulnerable to become targets of bullying, harassment, or teasing based on actual or perceived characteristics, including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, socioeconomic, status, homelessness, academic status, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, or sensory, disability, or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics. Quincy Public Schools will identify specific steps it will take 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.

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III. Training and Professional Development

All School staff play a critical role in preventing and intervening in bullying, modeling appropriate relationships and developing a positive school climate. Professional development and regular training about bullying is an important factor in staff's ability to effectively respond to bullying. Through professional learning opportunities everyone in the school community is given the tools to be aware of and provide effective responses to bullying.

Students are more likely to report bullying at school if they think:

  • the teacher knows what to do

  • the teacher will respond sensitively and effectively

  • they will be treated with respect and provided support

  • the teacher won't make things worse.

Because teachers and other staff are often the first responders to bullying incidents, they should be prepared with knowledge and specific skills. In accordance with the requirements under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O all staff will be provided with ongoing professional development including but not limited to, educators, administrators, counselors, school nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, athletic coaches, advisors to extracurricular activities, and paraprofessionals.

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. In addition, the annual training will include the definition of bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation, orientation to the District procedures for reporting, responding, and intervening in incidents of bullying, signs, and symptoms a student may be a target of bullying, cyberbullying or retaliation, and cyber-safety – which shall include information on the incidence and nature of cyber-bullying, and strategies for promoting cyber-safety.

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. Training for substitute teachers and volunteers shall be expanded to include orientation to the District’s bullying prohibition, reporting and intervention procedures, and behavioral and other expectations of staff and students.

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 schoolwide and district-wide professional development will be informed by research and will include information on:

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

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

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

  • 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;

  • information on the incidence and nature of cyberbullying; and

  • 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.

Additional areas of professional development include:

  • promoting and modeling the use of respectful language;

  • bystander empowerment;

  • complex interaction and power differential that can take place between and among an aggressor, target and witnesses;

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

  • developmentally appropriate strategies for intervening and stopping bullying incidents fostering an understanding of and respect for diversity and difference;
    building relationships and communicating with families;

  • constructively managing classroom behaviors;

  • using positive behavioral intervention strategies;

  • applying constructive disciplinary practices;

  • teaching students skills including positive communication, anger management, and empathy for others;

  • engaging students in school or classroom planning and decision-making;

  • maintaining a safe and caring classroom for all students; and

  • engaging staff and those responsible for the implementation and oversight of the Plan to distinguish between acceptable managerial behaviors designed to correct misconduct, instill accountability in the school setting, etc. and bullying behaviors.

C. Written Notice to Staff

Quincy Public Schools will provide all staff with an annual written notice of the Plan through the print and electronic versions available on the district website. Clear communication and consistent collaboration with staff, families, students and community partners is essential to achieving bullying prevention and other health and safety goals within the Quincy Public Schools. Communication with these and other constituents shall include information about the dynamics of bullying including signs and symptoms of bullying/cyberbullying/retaliation, strategies for preventing cyberbullying and promoting online safety, strategies for preventing bullying and/or retaliation in the classroom, across the school community, at home and in the community, information about how to report bullying, cyberbullying or retaliation, and District procedures for responding to and investigating bullying, including strategies for creating a safe learning environment for targets and reinforcing positive behavior standards among aggressors. This shall include communication of the District’s Bullying Policy, Disciplinary Policies, and Internet Safety/Acceptable Use Policy. All communication will be developmentally and linguistically appropriate.

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IV. Access to Resources and Services

A key aspect of promoting positive school climates is ensuring that the underlying emotional needs of targets, student aggressors, families, and others are addressed.

A. Identifying Resources

Each school shall have a team of professionals organized by the Principal who shall be responsible for helping to create and monitor the safe and supportive learning plan for targets and/or aggressors of bullying/cyberbullying/retaliation and other acts of aggression among and between students. This team may be an existing group with expanded functions (e.g. Student/Teacher Assistance Team) or a new team convened exclusively for this purpose.

Activities of the team may include the following:

  • Making and monitoring referrals to counseling and related youth and family support services;

  • Providing social skills programs to prevent bullying;

  • Offering education and/or intervention services for students exhibiting bullying behaviors;

  • Organizing and monitoring classroom or school-wide programming to address the deleterious effects of bullying, retaliation or allegations of bullying and/or retaliation on the school environment;

  • Preventive activities intended to promote positive behavior;

  • Other activities as needed to promote safe and supportive school environments;

  • Schools may consider current tools including, but not limited to, behavioral intervention plans, social skills groups, and individually focused curricula.

B. Counseling and Other Services

Each school site has student support staff and administrators who are trained to assist students in developing safety plans for students who have been targets of bullying or retaliation, provide social skills programs to prevent bullying and offer education and/or intervention services for students exhibiting bullying behaviors. Also there are community organizations that offer healthy relationship education at our middle and high schools. Those staff members and organizations are:

C. 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, including but not limited to autism
spectrum disorder, 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 the instructional services, accommodations or other services the individual student may need in her/his IEP to support the development of the student’s skills and proficiencies to avoid and respond to bullying, harassment, or teasing.

D. Services for Other Vulnerable Populations

If an incident of bullying and/or retaliation is found to be related to a student’s identification with a protected class, the Principal/designee or other District officials may consult with local experts on the provision of specialized support services for the individual(s) involved and the school community. District’s Title IX officer if the incident is related to a student’s gender, or leveraging resources available through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Safe and Supportive Schools and LGBT Liaison if an incident is related to a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity, or that of her/his parent(s) or siblings.

E. Referral to Outside Services

The following community based organizations provide individual counseling services, social skills groups, home based therapy therapeutic mentoring or educational services. These services are helpful for students that have either been a target of bullying incidents or identified as being an aggressor of the bullying incident. Your school counselor, school psychologists, health interventionist, principal and assistant principal all can help refer you.

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V. Academic and Non-Academic Activities

In the long term, preventing bullying from happening is the goal of the District. Instructional activities will focus on helping students develop healthy social relationships with their adults and peers, and creating a positive school culture.

A. Specific Bullying Intervention Approaches
  • Developmentally appropriate instruction in bullying prevention skills, strategies and attitudes shall be provided to students in grades K-12;

  • Orientation to student responsibilities in bullying prevention: Annually at the start of the school year teachers will review the student-related sections of the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan with students in their classes. Students new to the school community after the start of the school year will be offered this overview by the Principal/designee. In addition, this information will be documented in student handbooks updated regularly by some schools. Links to the District’s online Bullying information and resource page will be clearly labeled on each school website.

  • Anti-bullying messaging and information about student rights and responsibilities will be integrated into elementary evidence-based social competency instruction provided by teachers and Counselor Educators. As appropriate, information about the bullying plan and student rights and responsibilities will be integrated into peer mediation sessions facilitated by the Quincy Public Schools Staff. Restorative practices will be implemented where appropriate.

  • Cyber safety instruction: Elementary and middle school students are provided with instruction and guidance in cyber safety and media literacy skills through their Library/Media block or Digital Literacy instructional classes. Instructors use the Netsmartz.org cyber safety website created and maintained by the Center for Missing and Exploited Children as one of their resources when teaching the students about cyber safety. The students are also engaged in project based learning activities which focus on the areas of internet safety, cyberbullying and bullying. Students are oriented to the District’s Student Internet Use Policy which (a) provides guidelines for the safe and appropriate use of electronic communication technologies, and (b) specifically prohibits use of the District’s computers for cyberbullying and other forms of hostile and anti-social purposes.

  • Evidence-based prevention instruction: A program of evidence-based social/emotional learning instruction is offered to all students in all schools from grades K-8. The curricula used in District elementary classrooms - Second Step and Community Circles - these programs are effective in addressing individual risk and protective factors associated with bullying. These include:

    Mitigate the following risk factors

    • Inadequate school climate / Poorly organized and functioning schools / Negative labeling by teachers

    • Antisocial behavior and alienation / Delinquent beliefs / General delinquency involvement / Drug dealing

    • Early onset of aggression and/or violence

    • Victimization and exposure to violence

    • Poor refusal skills

    • Lack of guilt and empathy

    • Mental health concerns / Conduct disorders

    • Good relationships with peers through Restorative Practices

    • Presence and involvement of caring, supportive adults in school

    • High expectations of students

    Enhance the following protective factors:

    • High quality schools / Clear standards and rules

    • Opportunities for prosocial school involvement such PBIS and MTSS

    • Individual social competencies and problem solving skills

    • Positive / Growth Mindsets

    • Self-efficacy

    • High individual expectations

    • Perception of social support from adults and peers

The District will continue to implement these programs with fidelity in order to ensure all students have opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that will prevent bullying and other forms of violence, and promote positive social relationships and community culture.

These may include:

  • 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;

  • 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.

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 and reinforcing clear expectations for positive, pro-social behaviors and attitudes in the learning environment

  • Setting and communicating District and school standards for identifying, naming and rewarding good behavior including introducing positive behavior awards as part of Tier 1 supports

  • Creating safe school and classroom environments for all students, including for students with disabilities, LGBT students, and homeless students

  • Setting and communicating District and school standards for adult supervision during lunch, recess, bathroom and other unstructured time

  • Supporting students’ interest and participation in non-academic and extracurricular activities, particularly in their areas of strength by striving to increase the amount of organized, sports alternatives offered to youth during morning, lunch and other recess time

  • Modeling the safe use of the Internet and monitoring students’ Internet use at school to reward positive behavior and redirect unsafe activities

  • Supporting non-violent conflict resolution, including supervised, peer mediation, and Restorative Circles.

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VI. Policies/Procedures for Reporting and Responding to Bullying/Retaliation

To support efforts to respond promptly and effectively to bullying and retaliation, Quincy Public Schools has put in place policies and procedures for receiving and responding to reports of bullying or retaliation. These policies and procedures will ensure that members of our school community – students, parents, and school staff – know what will happen when incidents of bullying occur.

A. Reporting, Response, and Investigation Procedures

School Principals or their designees have primary responsibility for implementation of bullying prevention and intervention procedures, including investigating and responding to all charges of bullying, cyberbullying and/or retaliation. Violations of School and/or District policy and procedures will be addressed in conformance with existing disciplinary policies. In addition, all reporting, investigations and response shall be consistent with local, state and federal law regarding the anti-discrimination and the protection of civil and human rights, particularly for vulnerable populations including but not limited to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth and youth in LGBT families. It is important to recognize that certain students may be more vulnerable to becoming a target of bullying and harassment on actual perceived “differentiating characteristics” that may make certain students more vulnerable to bullying including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, socioeconomic status, homelessness, academic status, physical, development, or sensory disability. Consultation with District legal staff, and representatives of local, regional and state law enforcement and justice agencies may be required to ensure the rights of targets and aggressors are maintained.

B. Reporting Bullying and Retaliation

A school or district staff member is required to report immediately to the principal or designee any instance of bullying or retaliation that the staff member becomes aware of or witnesses. Reports of bullying or retaliation may be made by staff, students, parents or guardians, or others. These reports may be oral or written and can be made face-to-face, via telephone, by email, or through the Internet when he/she/they witnesses or becomes aware of conduct that may be bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation. 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. Reports made by students, parents or guardians, or other individuals who are not school or district staff members, may be made anonymously. The Quincy Public Schools will make a variety of reporting resources available to the school community including, but not limited to, a Bullying Reporting Form, a dedicated mailing address, an email address, and a secure web interface. Use of the District’s Bullying Report Form is not required as a condition of making a report. The school or District will:

  • Include a copy of the Bullying Report Form in the beginning of the year packets for students and in the Parent/Guardian Handbook.

  • Make the Bullying Report Form available in the school’s main office, the counseling office, the school nurse's office, and other locations determined by the principal or designee.

  • Make the Bullying Report Form available as an interactive form and as a downloadable document on the School and District website.

  • The Bullying Report Form will be made available in the most prevalent language(s) of origin of students and parents or guardians.

  • At the beginning of each school year, the School or District 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 into:

    • Student handbooks

    • Parent/Guardian Handbook

    • On School and District websites

  1. Reporting by Staff
    Any staff member who encounters an interaction that may be construed as bullying will first be asked to try to address the incident between the target(s) and aggressor(s). The staff member will then report the incident immediately to the Principal or designee so the investigation process may begin. This initial report should ideally include:

    • Date, time and location of the incident

    • Individuals involved and their roles (e.g. target, aggressor, bystander)

    • Information about if/how the incident is part of a pattern of bullying

    • Any actions taken by the staff person to defuse the situation.

    This initial report may be done orally, by email or via a written note. The initial report must be followed by a written report using the Bullying Report Form within 72 hours of the initial report of the incident.

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

    The school or district expects students, parents or 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, or superintendent or designee when the principal or assistant principal is the alleged aggressor. 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, or superintendent or designee when the principal or assistant principal is the alleged aggressor.

C. Responding to a Report of Bullying or Retaliation: Allegations of Bullying by a Student

The school or district expects students, parents or 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. This may be done by telephone, face-to-face, by email, in writing, or anonymously.

Students, parents/guardians and others are not required to complete the Bullying Report Form to report an incident or alleged bullying or retaliation. 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 and developmentally-appropriate ways to report and discuss an incident of bullying with a staff member, or with the principal or designee. Students who are non-verbal or not yet proficient in English will be assisted in making reports of alleged incidents of bullying and/or retaliation. If a student, parent/guardian or other member of the school community makes an oral report of a bullying incident, the Principal/Designee will complete a Bullying Report Form to document in writing the allegation. A Bullying Report Form may also be completed by the Principal/designee to complement written reports of bullying by a student, parent/guardian or other school community member in those instances where additional data is secured to substantiate or complete the allegation. This form may be completed by school staff to complete the incident file.

Anonymous reporting will be managed at the School and District level. Students, parents/guardians and others will be able to make anonymous bullying reports by telephone, by mail, and through an anonymous web interface. Anonymous reports will ideally include at least the following information:

  • Date, time and location of the incident

  • Individuals involved and their roles (e.g. target, aggressor, bystander)

  • Any knowledge of prior incidents that were reported or not

  • The relationship of the reporter to the incident (e.g. witnessed firsthand, third party report)

Upon receipt of an anonymous report, the District will initiate a preliminary investigation. If the anonymous allegation is deemed to have potential merit an Incident Reporting Form will be completed by the investigating staff member, and the investigation process at the school level will proceed. No disciplinary action will be taken against an alleged aggressor solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

  1. Safety
    Before fully investigating the allegations of bullying or retaliation, the Principal and a team designated by her/him 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, or on the bus

    • Identifying a staff member who will act as a “safe person” for the target

    • 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. Following the investigation, the Principal and her/his team will implement appropriate strategies for protecting from further acts of bullying, retaliation any students who report bullying or retaliation, witness bullying or retaliation, provide information during an investigation of allegations of bullying or retaliation, or has reliable information about an alleged act of bullying or retaliation.

    Strategies that may be used to create a safer environment for the target(s) and/or aggressor(s) may include to:

    • Increasing adult supervision at times and /or in locations where bullying is known to have occurred or is likely to occur.

    • Temporarily and/or permanently changing the aggressor(s)’s class schedule and/or seating
      arrangements to reduce opportunities for retaliation

    • Establishing a safe zone for the target when s/he/they feels vulnerable

    This is not an exhaustive list. The creation of safe environments for targets, aggressors, and/or other people impacted by the incident will be considered for each individual person and incident.

  2. Obligation to Notify Others
    The Principal or designee has primary responsibility to notify the following constituencies in writing –through a letter or email message - when bullying or retaliation has occurred. All written or electronic communication with these constituencies must be carbon copied to the Director of Student Support Services so they are appropriately informed, and can assist with response as needed.

    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 education and 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 school resource officer, if any, and other individuals the principal or designee deems appropriate.

    d. 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 or 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 counselor, 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.

    e. Investigating Anonymous Reports
    Upon receipt of an anonymous report a designated senior Student Support staff member will initiate a preliminary investigation along with the school administrator. If the anonymous allegation is deemed to have potential merit, a BULLYING REPORT FORM.doc will be completed and the investigation process at the school level will proceed.

    f. Determinations
    The Principal or designee will make a determination based upon all of the facts and
    circumstances. The Principal/designee and/or a team designated by her/him will:

    • Determine what remedial action is required, if any

    • Determine what responsive actions is necessary, and/or

    • Determine if disciplinary action is necessary.

    Remedial, responsive and disciplinary actions will balance the need for accountability with the need to teach appropriate behaviors in order to enhance the safety of the learning environment.

    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 disciplinary and future prevention action is being taken. All notices to parents/guardians must comply with applicable local, state and federal education and privacy laws and regulations. All notices to parents/guardians will be linguistically appropriate. Because of the legal requirements regarding the confidentiality of student records, the Principal or designee cannot report specific information to the target’s parent/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. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, DESE, requires that the Principal or his designee notify the parents or guardians of the victim about the DESE problem resolution system and the process for filing a claim, regardless of the outcome of the bullying determination.

    g. Responses to Bullying and Allegations of Bullying
    The creation of school environments where every student feels a sense of belonging is integral to student success. After an investigation of bullying, cyberbullying, retaliation and/or harassment, regardless of whether the claim is substantiated, the Principal or designee will take steps reasonably calculated to prevent recurrence and to ensure that any student involved in the incident is not restricted in participating in school or in benefiting from school activities. To this end, the Quincy Public Schools will modify or institute procedures by grade level as necessary to provide a safe environment at all times of the school day including non-classroom times such as lunch, bus rides, recess, and after-school and other out-of-school time, particularly for students who have been targets of substantiated allegations of bullying/cyberbullying/retaliation, as well as aggressors of said actions, as needed to restore a safe and supportive learning environment for all students .

    Teaching Appropriate Behavior Through Skills-building

    Upon the Principal or designee determining that bullying or retaliation has occurred, the law requires that the school or district use a range of responses that balance the need for accountability with the need to teach appropriate behavior. M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O(d)(v). Skill-building approaches that the Principal/designee and/or a team designated by the Principal may consider include:

    • Offering individualized skill-building sessions based on the school’s/district’s anti-bullying curricula

    • Providing relevant educational activities for individual students or groups of students, in consultation with guidance counselors and other appropriate school personnel

    • Implementing a range of academic and nonacademic positive behavioral supports to help students understand pro-social ways to achieve their goals

    • Meeting with parents/guardians to engage parental support and to reinforce the anti-bullying curricula and social skills building activities at home

    • Adopting behavioral plans or contract to include a focus on developing specific social skills

    • Making a referral for any further evaluations as appropriate.

    If a student who is found to be the target or aggressor in a substantiated bullying incident has an individualized education plan (IEP) and the cause of the incident is related to her/his disability, then the provision of skill building training and any other appropriate accommodations or services as agreed upon by the Team shall be integrated into that student’s IEP.

    Taking Disciplinary Action

    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 school’s or district’s code of conduct. Disciplinary actions that may be taken include:

    • Education

    • Restorative Practice for Repairing Harm

    • Loss of Privileges

    • Referral for Disciplinary Action

    • Detention

    • Suspension

    Discipline procedures for students with disabilities are governed by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), which should be read in cooperation with state laws regarding student discipline.
    If the Principal or designee determines that a false allegation of bullying or retaliation has been made appropriate actions will be taken. This may include disciplinary actions for those incidents where the accuser is a student.

    Promoting Safety for the Target and Others
    Upon the completion of the investigation, the Principal or designee will consider what adjustments, if any, are needed in the school environment to enhance the target's sense of safety and the sense of safety for others as well.

    Within a reasonable period of time following the determination and the ordering of remedial and/or disciplinary action, the Principal or designee will contact the target to determine whether there has been a recurrence of the prohibited conduct and whether additional supportive measures are needed. If so, the Principal or designee will work with appropriate school staff to implement them immediately.

    Depending upon the circumstances, the Principal and a team of people he/she designates may choose to consult with the students’ teacher(s) and/or school counselor, 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, professional mediation, or other supportive services.

    Depending upon the circumstances, the Principal may choose to invite the Special Education Department to conduct a safety evaluation of the target(s) and/or aggressor(s) in order to inform strategies for promoting safety of students and the school environment.

    If deemed appropriate and agreed upon by both the target and the aggressor, the matter may be referred to a professional mediator. If the professional mediator determines if the situation is appropriate for mediation a time will be scheduled and mediation will proceed using best practices in professional mediation with youth and teens.

    h. Responding to a Report of Bullying by School Staff
    The reporting procedure is implemented by the principal except when a reported bullying incident involves the principal or the assistant principal as the alleged aggressor. In such cases, the Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for investigating the report, and other steps necessary to implement the Plan, including addressing the safety of the alleged victim. If the Superintendent is the alleged aggressor, the School Committee, or its designee shall be responsible for investigating the report, and other steps necessary to implement the Plan, including addressing the safety of the alleged victim.
    In cases where the aggressor is a member of the school staff, the principals may take appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

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VII. Collaboration With Families

A. Parent Education and Resources

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 PT(S)A, School Councils, Citywide PTO’s, 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 formats, and will be available in the language(s) most prevalent among parents or guardians. The school or district will post the Plan and related information on its website.

To ensure all constituents understand both intervention and prevention activities the District will minimally:

  • Publish bullying reporting, response and investigation procedures in (a) student handbooks, and (b) the annual parent/guardian handbook;

  • Public bullying reporting, response and investigation procedures in the annual staff training.

  • Create a bullying page on its website (http://www.quincypublicschoolsbullyinginfo.com as a resource for (a) anonymous reporting, (b) clarifying procedures for reporting, responding and investigating allegations of bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation, (c) communicating District and school positive behavior standards, and (d) expanding access to prevention education resources for families, teachers students and community partners;

  • Activities, interventions, initiatives and social promotion campaign activities will be considered annually by the District’s Health/Wellness Advisory Committee and/or Student Support Services Program staff

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VIII. Prohibition Against Bullying and Retaliation

Acts of bullying, which include cyberbullying, are prohibited:

(i) on school grounds and property immediately adjacent to school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-­related activity, function, or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased, or used by a school district or school; or through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased, or used by a school district or school, and

(ii) at a location, activity, function, or program that is not school-­related through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by a school district or school, if the acts create a hostile environment at school for the target or witnesses, infringe on their rights at school, or materially and substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying is also prohibited.

As stated in M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O, nothing in this Plan requires the district or school to staff any non-school related activities, functions, or programs.

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IX. Problem Resolution System

Any parent wishing to file a claim/concern or seeking assistance outside of the district may do so with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Program Resolution System (PRS). That information can be found at: https://www.doe.mass.edu/prs/, emails can be sent to [email protected] or individuals can call 781-338-3700. Hard copies of this information are also available at the Superintendent’s office.

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X. Definitions

Aggressor: A student or a member of a school staff including, but not limited to, an educator, administrator, school nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian, bus driver, athletic coach, advisor to an extracurricular activity or paraprofessional who engages in bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation.

Bullying: The Quincy Public Schools Bullying Policy pursuant to Massachusetts General Law (MGL: Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010) specifically defines bullying as:

“the repeated use by one or more students or by a member of a school staff including, but not limited to, an educator, administrator, school nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian, bus driver, athletic coach, advisor to an extracurricular activity or paraprofessional of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that:
vi. causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property;
vii. places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her
property;
viii. creates a hostile environment at school for the target;
ix. infringes on the rights of the target at school; or
x. materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.”

Cyberbullying: 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, Internet postings, electronic mail, Internet communications, and/or facsimile communications.
Cyberbullying 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. Cyberbullying 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: 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: 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: A student against whom bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation has been perpetrated.

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XI. Relationship to Other Laws

Consistent with state and federal laws, and the policies of the school or district, no person shall be discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town or in obtaining the advantages, privilege and courses of study of such public school on account of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, socioeconomic status, academic status, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability, or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics. Nothing in the Plan prevents the school or district from taking action to remediate discrimination or harassment based on a person’s membership in a legally protected category under local, state, or federal law, or school or district policies.

In addition, nothing in the Plan is designed or intended to limit the authority of the school or district to take disciplinary action or other action under M.G.L. c. 71, §§ 37H or 37H½, M.G.L. c. 71, §§41 and 42, M.G.L.c 76 § 5, or other applicable laws, or local school or district policies, or collective bargaining agreements, in response to violent, harmful, or disruptive behavior, regardless of whether the Plan covers the behavior.


Appendix A: Sample Bullying Prevention and Intervention Incident Reporting Form