The purpose of this policy is to define and describe bullying and the consequential disciplinary action.
Academy Charter School defines bullying as intentional harm by an individual or group, repeated over time, which involves an imbalance of power. This can be in the form of any written, verbal expression, physical, electronic, act, gesture, or a pattern thereof, that is intended to coerce, intimidate, or cause any physical, mental, or emotional harm to any student, and that:
Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or
Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or
Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Bullying is prohibited against any student for any reason. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, behavior that is directed toward a student because of an actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental or physical disability or impairment, academic performance, or any other distinguishing characteristic. The behavior described in Section 1 is considered harassment or bullying whether it takes place on or off school property, at any school-sponsored function, or in a school vehicle.
Consequences for a student who commits one or more acts of bullying may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion. Consequences are at the School Leaders sole discretion and will vary in method and severity according to:
The age, development, and maturity levels of the parties involved
Degree of harm
Surrounding circumstances
Nature, intent, and severity of behavior(s)
Incidences of past or continuing patterns of behavior
Relationship between the parties involved
Context in which the alleged incident(s) occurred
If the harassment is based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental or physical disability or impairment and is sufficiently serious that it creates a hostile environment, Academy Charter School will address the problem using the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights’ enforcements of the following statutes: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, hairstyles commonly associated with their particular race or ethnicity, or national origin; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504); and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II). Section 504 and Title II prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Simply stated, when harassment meets the above description, Academy Charter School will address the issue not only on a case-by-case basis, but also by taking concrete steps to rectify the problem on a larger scale. Such steps may include, but are not limited to, the following: publicly reaffirming its anti-bullying policy, re-publicizing procedures on how to report bullying, addressing the issue with students in the classroom or at an assembly, offering counseling to victims and/or bullies, staff training, and parent outreach.
All members of the ACS community (i.e. students, staff, and parents) are obligated to report acts of bullying.
6.2.5.1 Students
Students are highly encouraged to report incidences of bullying to school staff. Any person who takes any retaliatory action against a student who reports in good faith an incident of bullying will face consequences at the School Leader's discretion. Consequences may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion. Students will also have the opportunity to anonymously report through Safe2Tell.org.
6.2.5.2 Staff
Staff should be on the lookout for bullying at all times and should purposefully place themselves in bully-prone areas whenever possible. All Academy Charter School staff members are responsible for trying to prevent bullying and for addressing it if it occurs in their presence.
When a staff member becomes aware of bullying, either by student report or by witnessing the incident, the staff person should follow these steps:
Speak to the students involved, separately, as soon as possible.
When you feel you have a clear idea of what happened, determine appropriate consequences for the bully(s) and take steps to protect the victim(s).
Use your judgment, depending on the severity of the incident, to decide whether or not to call the parents of the bully(s) and victim(s). Make any phone calls within 24 hours of the incident.
Make sure that other staff members who interact with the involved students (specials teachers, assistants, office staff, etc.) are aware of the situation.
Notify the counselor and the School Leaders of the situation so that they may log it and follow up as needed. If the bullying incident relates to an ongoing issue, or if the incident is severe, send the involved students directly to the School Leader.
In order to pursue prompt resolution to bullying situations, School Leaders may become involved earlier in the process than indicated above.
6.2.5.3 Parents
When a parent becomes aware of a bullying incident, the parent should follow these steps for reporting:
Report the incident to the classroom teacher.
If more support is needed, report to the counselor or school leader(s).
Do not intervene directly with students' issues or concerns, let school staff handle these situations.
At least once every two years, Academy Charter School will train its staff on how to recognize and prevent bullying, and on how to address it immediately, consistently, equitably, and appropriately when it occurs.
Training and in-services will be given to teachers and staff to assist Academy Charter School personnel in being alert to student bullying, taking appropriate action when bullying occurs, and engendering an atmosphere where bullying is not tolerated at school or school-related activities.
Assemblies will be held and programs implemented to educate students about bullying, warn that bullying is prohibited, advise students of the consequences for engaging in bullying activity, encourage all students to immediately report incidences of student bullying, and engender an atmosphere where bullying is not tolerated at school or school related activities.
Below are additional websites DCSD cites as potential resources:
StopBullying.gov
Safe2Tell Tip Line
Colorado School Safety Resource Center (C.S.S.R.C.)
Youth Education and Safety in Schools (Y.E.S.S.)
Douglas County Youth & Family Resource Guide
Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network
Promoting Alternatives to Violence through Education (Project PAVE)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Parent Information re: "The Choking Game"