Development of Educational Programs
The Superintendent or designee shall develop administrative procedures and programs to increase the awareness of the problems of bullying, and train teachers to effectively intervene if bullying is witnessed in their presence or brought to their attention.
Intervention
Teachers who observe acts of bullying shall take reasonable steps to intervene to stop such conduct, unless intervention would threaten a teacher’s personal safety. The nature of the intervention will vary depending upon the age of the student (both the victim and aggressor), the severity of the bullying and the student’s involvement in prior acts of bullying. The purpose of the intervention is to take prompt remedial steps to ensure observed acts of bullying cease and to teach students that bullying is not acceptable behavior.
5. Guidelines
Depending upon the severity of a particular situation, the building principal may also take appropriate steps to ensure student safety. Such steps may include the implementation of a safety plan; separating and supervising the students involved; providing employee support for students as needed; reporting incidents to law enforcement, if appropriate; and developing a supervision plan with parents.
Students will be encouraged to willingly volunteer information in matters relating to the health, safety and welfare of the school community and the use of school property in the commission of bullying activities.
Investigation Procedures
Upon learning about a bullying incident, the principal or designee shall interview both students, and thoroughly investigate. This investigation may include interviews with students, parents and school staff; the review of school records; and identification of parent and family issues.
Consequences/Intervention
Consequences for students who bully others will be subject to disciplinary options that may include counseling, a parent conference, detention, suspension or other consequences as provided in the Code of School Conduct.
Student, Parent and Employee Reporting
The school district strongly encourages all students and parents who become aware of any act of bullying to immediately report that conduct. Students may report acts of bullying to their teachers, building principal or other school employees supervising school-sponsored activities. Parents may contact the building principal to report acts of bullying.
If teachers cannot reasonably remediate acts of bullying through their own intervention, they should report the bullying to the building principal. Other school employees who observe acts of bullying shall report that conduct to the building principal.
Dissemination and Training
1. A summary of this policy shall be included in the student handbook.
2. This policy shall be conspicuously posted in each building in an area accessible to pupils and staff.
3. Discussion of the policy shall be included in the orientation of each new teacher and staff member and periodically in staff development workshops.
Confidentiality
The Harrisburg School District recognizes that both the complaining student and the alleged bully/extorter have strong interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the allegations and related information. The privacy of the complaining student, the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed, and the witnesses will be respected as much as possible, consistent with legal obligations to investigate, to take appropriate action, and to comply with Family Education Privacy Rights Act (“FERPA”) and any discovery or disclosure obligations. As limited by FERPA protections, the principal or his/her designee may inform the complaining student/parents of the outcome of the investigation.
Reprisal
Any student who retaliates against another student for reporting bullying or extortion or for assisting or testifying in the investigation or hearing may be subject to disciplinary action as described in the Code of School Conduct.
Interplay with Other School District Policies
Nothing in this policy shall prevent school employees from enforcing, imposing discipline or fulfilling their professional responsibilities under other school district policies or student disciplinary rules.
This policy shall not be interpreted as preventing a student or parent from filing a complaint under the school district’s anti-harassment policy.
