A safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and attain high academic success and to promote healthy human relationships. Bullying is conduct that interferes with students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to educate in a safe environment. An act of bullying, by students, employees or other individuals is expressly prohibited on Independent School District No. 2752 Fairmont Area Schools property or at school-related functions or activities, or on school transportation. This policy applies not only to students who directly engage in an act of bullying but also to students who, by their indirect behavior, condone or support another student’s act of bullying. Fairmont Area Schools has enacted a bullying prohibition policy designed to prevent and respond to incidents of bullying, cyberbullying and other prohibited conduct.
WHAT IS BULLYING?
Bullying is intimidating, threatening, abusive or harming conduct that is objectively offensive and:
There is an actual or perceived imbalance of power between the student engaging in the prohibited conduct and the target of the prohibited conduct, and the conduct is repeated or forms a pattern; or
Materially and substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities, performance or ability to participate in school functions or activities or receive school benefits, services or privileges.
WHAT IS CYBERBULLYING?
Cyberbullying is using technology or other electronic communication, including a transfer of signs, signals, writing, image, sound or data, a post on a social network or forum, transmitted through a computer, cell phone or other electronic device to participate in bullying conduct.
PROHIBITED CONDUCT
Students are prohibited from engaging in any act of bullying or prohibited conduct:
On district premises
On district property
At school functions or activities
On school transportation
Fairmont Area Schools prohibits acts of cyberbullying that occur:
On district premises
Through the use of district resources
Through district computers, networks, forums and mailing lists
Off district premises to the extent that it disrupts student learning or the school environment
Fairmont Area Schools prohibits:
Knowingly making a false report of bullying; or
Retaliation for asserting, reporting or providing information about an act of bullying or cyberbullying