Bully Prevention at Bethke

 Our  school community is committed to making Bethke a safe and caring place for all students.  We expect students to conduct themselves with respect, responsibility, integrity, and kindness. 

    Bullying is defined as recurring mean and hurtful actions aimed at another student.  It is purposeful, aggressive behavior that is usually repeated over time, occurs in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power, and intends to have a serious harmful or distressing impact on the target.

    We take a proactive approach to address bullying.  Staff members are trained and given resources to help create a positive classroom climate to minimize the likelihood that bullying will occur and to be able to recognize and respond to bullying effectively.  Bully-prevention lessons are provided to Bethke students in all grade levels.

    It is important that all bullying incidents be reported.  Staff who witness or become aware of a bullying situation should address it right away;  the situation can often be rectified before complicated interventions are required.  Referrals may be made to the school counselor and/or administration.

    Teachers and staff will:

• • Supervise students in all areas of the school playground

  • Know the signs of bullying and act to stop it

  • Respond quickly and sensitively to bullying reports to ensure the safety of all students involved

  • Assign consequences or appropriate remedial action based on the school's discipline policies

  • Provide immediate consequences for those who retaliate against students who report bullying

  • Assign consequences for students who knowingly make false accusations of bullying

There will be consequences and appropriate remedial action for those involved in bullying.  The developmental maturity levels of the parties, the levels of harm, the reasons surrounding the incident, the nature of the bullying, the context in which the alleged incidents occurred, and the past history of the parties involved will be considered when posing consequences.

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