Bullying of any type has no place in a school setting. The Martha's Vineyard Public Schools will endeavor to maintain a learning and working environment free of bullying.
Bullying is defined as the repeated act of one or more individuals intimidating one or more persons through verbal, physical, mental, or written interactions. Bullying can take many forms and can occur in virtually any setting. It can create unnecessary and unwarranted anxiety that may affect attending school, walking in corridors, eating in cafeterias, playing in the school yard or recreation areas, participating in or attending special and extracurricular activities, or riding on the bus to and from school each day.
Examples of bullying include but are not exclusive to:
1. Intimidation, either physical or psychological;
2. Threats of any kind, stated or implied;
3. Assaults on students, including those that are verbal, physical, psychological, and emotional; and
4. Attacks on student property.
The School Committee expects administrators and supervisors to make clear to students and staff that bullying in the school building, on school grounds, on the bus or school-sanctioned transportation, or at school-sponsored functions will not be tolerated and will be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion for students and termination for employees.
The District will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of bullying. The principal, or his/her designee, of each building will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging bullying.
The Superintendent will develop administrative guidelines and procedures for the implementation of this policy,
{Adoption Date} 12.01.2010 by the Edgartown School Committee
LEGAL REFS:
M.G.L. Chapter 151C
M.G.L. Chapter 76 § 5
M.G.L. Chapter 269 § 17, 18, 19
M.G.L. Chapter 71 §§ 82, 84
M.G.L. Chapter 71 § 370
1st Reading - 10.28.2010
2nd Reading - 11.10.2010
3rd Reading - 12.01.2010