High School Bullying, Hazing or Fighting Policy

For the purpose of this policy, bullying will include: teasing, harassment, intimidation, humiliation, fear, fighting, misuse of power or hazing of another member of our school community, on or off campus.  It is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated over time and reflects a deliberate pattern of behavior or a campaign to hurt or harm another student, or students. A one-off altercation involving a nasty exchange or an incident involving physical or verbal conflict is not regarded as bullying.

The aim of JIS is to provide a safe school environment where all students are treated with respect and dignity and are free from bullying. Bullying another person in our school community will not be tolerated. JIS is committed to educating staff, students and parents to develop positive relationships to ensure that everyone’s right to learn and work in a safe environment is respected. JIS uses restitution as a model that provides a framework for developing positive relationships and giving people a second chance.

The components of such an effort will include the following:

• Learning about and identifying the early warning signs that may lead to bullying

• Gathering information about bullying at school directly from students

• Establishing clear school-wide rules about bullying

• Providing adequate adult supervision, particularly in less structured times and areas such as during breaks, near restrooms and eating areas

• Raising parental awareness and involvement in addressing problems

The Head of School, with support of administrators, the counseling team and SLA teachers work together to help early identification of bullying and other preventive strategies as well as reporting, investigating, remedying and tracking allegations of bullying.

All students, school employees, vendors, parents and visitors to campus buildings, buses, athletic fields or locations off campus involving school-related activities (i.e., field trips) are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the words and spirit of this policy. We all share in the responsibility to ensure that bullying does not occur.

For the purposes of this policy, bullying happens when someone is significantly hurt by the actions of others, fears that the behaviors will happen again and feels powerless to prevent the behaviors from happening. Bullying usually happens over time following a pattern; it may be subtle or easy to identify, done by one person or a group.

If it is a ‘one time’ action, with no previous signs of bullying, it will be dealt with as a behavioral issue.

Bullying

JIS recognizes several types of bullying:

While the focus of this policy is on prevention, bullying may still occur. 

Students at JIS who have been bullied, parents whose children have been bullied, or other students who observe bullying behavior are encouraged to make a verbal and/or written complaint to a member of the school staff. 

Intervention by other students, adults and bystanders is an important step to prevent escalation and to resolve issues in the earliest stages. At all times, reported incidences will be documented, tracked and handled according to the procedures determined by each campus.

Disciplinary consequences will reflect the severity and intensity of the bullying incident. Students will be encouraged and supported to make restitution to their peers. The purpose of the disciplinary measures is to assist a student to reflect on their behavior and to be provided with an opportunity to learn and improve peer relationships.

Hazing

Hazing is an action or situation with or without the consent of the participants which recklessly, intentionally or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical or academic health or safety of a student. Hazing in any form is regarded as physical bullying. 

Hazing of any sort is not appropriate at JIS regardless of where it takes place or the context of the hazing. Humiliation and raising fear in other students is not acceptable.

Fighting

Fighting or any other form of physical abuse is forbidden, including the case of retaliation. First offenders will be suspended for fighting or in the case of serious physical violence, expelled. A second incident of fighting may result in a recommendation for expulsion. The JIS Administration reserves the right to expel any students who injures or places the lives of other students in jeopardy.

• Please see the section on suspensions in the High School Student Handbook