5131.911 - Bullying
5131.911
Students
Bullying
The Board of Education (Board) promotes a secure and happy school climate, conducive to teaching and learning that is free from threat, harassment and any type of bullying behavior. Therefore, it shall be the policy of the Board that bullying of a student by another student is prohibited.
The Board believes that a school environment in which students feel safe, supported, engaged and helpfully challenged is optimal for learning and healthy development. The Board seeks an environment in which students and adults feel socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically safe; an environment that is free of harassment, intimidation and bullying and teen dating violence.
Definitions
"Bullying” means an act that is direct or indirect and severe, persistent or pervasive which:
A. causes physical or emotional harm to an individual,
B. places an individual in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm, or
C. infringes on the rights and opportunities of an individual at school.
Bullying shall include, but need not be limited to, a written, oral, or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.
Examples of conduct that may be bullying include, but are not limited to:
1. physical violence and attacks
2. verbal taunts, name-calling and put-downs including ethnically based or gender- based verbal put-downs
3. threats and intimidation
4. extortion or stealing of money and/or possessions
5. exclusion from peer groups within the school
6. misuse of electronic communications for the purpose of bullying, harassing, or sexually harassing other students within school or out of school (“cyberbullying”)
7. targeting of a student based on the student’s actual or perceived “differentiating” characteristics such as race; color; religion; ancestry; national origin; gender; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; socioeconomic or academic status; physical appearance; or mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability.
8. taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing of obscene, pornographic, lewd, or illegal images or photographs, whether by electronic data transfer such as emailing or texting which is otherwise commonly called sexting or by other means.
Additional Definitions
“Cyberbullying” means any act of bullying through the use of the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, cellular mobile telephone or other mobile electronic devices or any electronic communications.
“Teen dating violence” means any act of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, including stalking, harassing and threatening that occurs between two students who are currently in or have recently been in a dating relationship.
“Mobile electronic device” means any hand-held or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing data communication between two or more individuals, including, but not limited to, a text messaging device, a paging device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, equipment that is capable of playing a video game or a digital video disk, or equipment on which digital images are taken or transmitted.
“Electronic communication” means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or photo-optical system.
“Hostile environment” means a situation in which bullying among students is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the school climate.
“Outside of the school setting” means at a location, activity or program that is not school related, or through the use of an electronic device or a mobile electronic device that is not owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education.
“School employee” means (a) a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (b) any other individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education.
“School climate” means the quality and character of school life based on students', parents', guardians' and school employees' experiences of school life, including, but not limited to, norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices and organizational structures.
“Positive school climate” means (A) a school climate in which the norms, values, expectations and beliefs that support feelings of social, emotional and physical safety are promoted, (B) students, parents and guardians of students and school employees feel engaged and respected and work together to develop and contribute to a shared school vision, (C) educators model and nurture attitudes that emphasize the benefits and satisfaction gained from learning, and (D) each person feels comfortable contributing to the operation of the school and care of the physical environment of the school.
“Emotional intelligence” means the ability to (A) perceive, recognize and understand emotions in oneself or others, (B) use emotions to facilitate cognitive activities, including, but not limited to, reasoning, problem solving and interpersonal communication, (C) understand and identify emotions, and (D) manage emotions in oneself and others.
“Social and emotional learning” means the process through which children and adults achieve emotional intelligence through the competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
Prohibition Against Bullying and Teen Dating Violence
Bullying and teen dating violence is disruptive of the educational process and, therefore, such behavior in this district and is prohibited.
Students who engage in any act of bullying and teen dating violence, on school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school related activity, function or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by the Board of Education, or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by the Board of Education, and outside of the school setting if such bullying and teen dating violence:
1. creates a hostile environment at school for the victim,
2. infringes on the rights of the victim at school, or
3. substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school, are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement officials.
A comprehensive program, to improve the school climate, involving everyone in the schools and the community, to address bullying at all school levels is essential to reducing incidences of bullying. Such a program must involve interventions at all levels, school wide, classroom and individual.
The District’s program:
1. Requires the development and implementation of a safe school climate plan by the Board of Education to address the existence of bullying and teen dating violence in its schools;
2. Permits anonymous reports of bullying by students to school employees and written reports of suspected bullying or teen dating violence by parents or guardians and requires at the beginning of each school year that students and their parents be notified of the process by which students may make such reports;
3. Requires school employees who witness acts of bullying or teen dating violence or receive reports of bullying or teen dating violence to orally notify the safe school climate specialist or another school administrator if the safe school climate specialist is unavailable, not later than one school day after such school employee witnesses or receives a report of bullying or teen dating violence, and to file a written report not later than two school days after making such an oral report;
4. Requires the safe school climate specialist to investigate or supervise the investigation of all reports of bullying or teen dating violence and ensure that such investigation is completed promptly after receipt of any written report, and that the parents or guardians of the student alleged to have committed an act or acts of bullying or teen dating violence and the parents or guardians of the student against whom such alleged act or acts were directed receive prompt notice that such investigation commenced;
5. Requires the safe school climate specialist to review any anonymous reports, except that no disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report;
6. Requires each school to have a prevention and intervention strategy, as defined by statute, as amended, for school employees to deal with bullying or teen dating violence;
7. Provides for the inclusion of language in student codes of conduct concerning bullying and teen dating violence;
8. Requires each school to notify the parents or guardians of students who commit any verified acts of bullying and teen dating violence and the parents or guardians of students against whom such acts were directed not later than forty-eight hours after the completion of the investigation of the results of such investigation, and verbally and by electronic mail, if such parents' or guardians' electronic mail addresses are known, that such parents or guardians may refer to the plain language explanation of the rights and remedies available under sections 10-4a and 10-4b published on the Internet web site of the board of education.
9. Requires each school to invite the parents or guardians of a student against whom such act was directed to a meeting to communicate to such parents or guardians the measures being taken by the school to ensure the safety of the students against whom such act of bullying or teen dating violence was directed and the policies and procedures in place to prevent further acts of bullying and teen dating violence;
10. Requires each school to invite the parents/guardians of a student who commits any verified act of bullying or teen dating violence to a meeting, separate and distinct from the meeting of the parents/guardians of the student against whom the act of bullying or teen dating violence was directed, to discuss specific interventions undertaken by the school to prevent further acts of bullying and teen dating violence.
11. Establishes a procedure for each school to document and maintain records relating to reports and investigations of bullying and teen dating violence in such school and make such list publicly available; and report such number to the Department of Education and in such manner as prescribed by the Commissioner of Education;
12. Requires the development of case-by-case interventions for addressing reported incidents of bullying or teen dating violence against a single individual or recurrently perpetrated bullying incidents by the same individual that may include both counseling and discipline;
13. Prohibits discrimination and retaliation against an individual who reports or assists in the investigation of an act of bullying or teen dating violence;
14. Requires the development of student safety support plans for students against whom an act of bullying or teen dating violence was directed that addresses safety measures the school will take to protect such students against further acts of bullying or teen dating violence;
15. Requires the principal of a school or the principal’s designee, to notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency when such principal or the principal’s designee believes that any acts of bullying or teen dating violence constitute criminal conduct;
16. Prohibits bullying and teen dating violence (A) on school grounds, at a school sponsored or school-related activity, function or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education, or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by the local or regional board of education, and (B) outside of the school setting if such bullying or teen dating violence (i) creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom such bullying was directed, (ii) infringes on the rights of the student against whom such bullying or teen dating violence was directed at school, or (iii) substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school;
17. Requires, at the beginning of each school year, for each school to provide all school employees with a written or electronic copy of the school district’s safe school climate plan, and 18. Requires that all school employees annually complete the training described in section 10-220a or section 10-222j.
19. As required, the Board of Education shall approve the safe school climate plan developed pursuant to statute and submit such plan to the Department of Education for its review, analysis, and cooperative assistance and approval not later than July 1, 2014; and
20. Requires that not later than thirty calendar days after approval by the State Department of Education, the safe school climate plan shall be made available on the Board’s and each individual school in the District’s Internet website and such plan is to be included in the District’s publication of the rules, procedures and standards of conduct for schools and in all student handbooks.
The notification required at (8) and the invitation required at (9) above shall include a description of the response of school employees to such acts and any consequences that may result from the commission of further acts of bullying.
Investigations
The Board expects prompt and reasonable investigations of alleged acts of bullying and teen dating violence. The safe school climate specialist of each school is responsible for handling all complaints of alleged bullying and teen dating violence. The safe climate specialist shall investigate or supervise the investigation of all reports of bullying and teen dating violence promptly.
In addition, the norms that are established by adults through consistent enforcement of all policies pertaining to conduct and modeling appropriate behavior at school and at home will reduce the instances and damage of bullying and teen dating violence. It is necessary for students to promote the concept that caring for others is a valued quality, one that is accepted and encouraged.
Prevention and Intervention Strategy
The District shall implement, as required by C.G.S. 10-222d, as amended, a prevention and intervention strategy which may include, but is not limited to:
1. Implementation of a positive behavioral interventions and supports process or another evidence-based model approach for safe school climate or for the prevention of bullying and teen dating violence identified by the Department of Education.
2. School rules prohibiting bullying, teen dating violence, harassment, and intimidation and establishing appropriate consequences for those who engage in such acts.
3. Adequate adult supervision of outdoor areas, hallways, the lunchroom, and other specific areas where bullying or teen dating violence is likely to occur.
4. 4. Inclusion of grade-appropriate bullying and teen dating violence education and prevention curricula in kindergarten through high school.
5. Individual interventions with the bully or student who commits teen dating violence, parents and school employees and interventions with the students against whom the acts of bullying and teen dating violence are directed, parents, and school employees.
6. School wide training related to safe school climate.
7. Student peer training, education and support
8. Promotion of parent involvement in bullying and teen dating violence prevention through individual or team participation in meetings, trainings, and individual interventions.
9. Culturally competent school-based curriculum focusing on social-emotional learning, self-awareness and self-regulation.
District Safe School Climate Coordinator
For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school year thereafter, the Superintendent of Schools shall appoint, from among existing District staff, a District Safe School Climate Coordinator.
The Coordinator shall:
1. Implement the District’s safe school climate plan;
2. Collaborate with safe school climate specialists, the Board, and the Superintendent to prevent, identify, and respond to bullying and teen dating violence in District schools;
3. Provide data and information derived from the safe school climate assessments, in collaboration with the Superintendent, to the Department of Education;
4. Respond to bullying and teen dating violence in District schools;
5. Meet with the safe school climate specialists at least twice during the school year to discuss bullying and teen dating issues in the District and make recommended changes to the District’s safe school climate plan;
6. Successfully complete, for the school year commencing July 1, 2014, the mental health first aid training provided by the Commissioner of Mental Health and addiction Services (such training is only required once).
Safe School Climate Specialist
For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school year thereafter, each school Principal shall serve, or designate someone to serve, as the Safe School Climate Specialist for the school.
The Specialist in each school shall:
1. Investigate or supervise the investigation of reported acts of bullying or teen dating violence in the school in accordance with the District’s Safe School Climate Plan;
2. Collect and maintain records of reports and investigations of bullying and teen dating violence in the school; and
3. Act as the primary school official responsible for preventing, identifying and responding to bullying and teen dating violence reports in the school.
Safe School Climate Committee
For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school year thereafter, the Principal of each District school shall establish a new committee or designate at least one existing committee that is responsible for developing and fostering a safe school climate and addressing issues related to bullying in the school. The committee must include at least one parent/guardian of a student enrolled in the school, appointed by the Principal. Commencing July 1, 2021, and each school year thereafter, such committee shall also include school personnel, including, but not
limited to, at least one teacher selected by the exclusive bargaining representative for certified employees chosen pursuant to section 10-153b, medical and mental health personnel assigned to such school, and in the case of a committee for a high school, at least one student enrolled at such high school who is selected by the students of such school in a manner determined by the school principal.
The Safe School Climate Committee shall:
1. Receive copies of completed reports following investigations of bullying and teen dating violence;
2. Identify and address patterns of bullying and teen dating violence among students in the school;
3. Implement the provisions of the school security and safety plan, (developed pursuant to Section 87 of PA 13-3) regarding the collection, evaluation and reporting of information relating to instances of disturbing or threatening behavior that may not meet the definition of bullying or teen dating violence (defined in Connecticut General Statutes 10-222d) and report such information, as necessary, to the District Safe School Climate Coordinator and to the school’s security and safety committee;
4. Review and amend school policies relating to bullying and teen dating violence;
5. Review and make recommendation to the District Safe School Climate Coordinator regarding the District’s Safe Climate Plan based on issues and experiences specific to the school;
6. Educate students, school employees and parents and guardians of students on issues relating to bullying and teen dating violence;
7. Collaborate with the District Safe School Climate Coordinator in the collection of data regarding bullying and teen dating violence; and
8. Perform any other duties as determined by the School Principal that are related to the prevention, identification and response to school bullying and teen dating violence for the school.
Parent or guardian or student members of the Safe School Climate Committee are excluded from activities #1 and #3 above and from any other committee activities that may compromise student confidentiality.
Safe School Climate Plan
The Board of Education shall develop and implement a Safe School Climate Plan to address the existence of bullying and teen dating violence in its schools. The Safe School Climate Plan shall minimally include all of the actions required under state law for school response and prevention and intervention to bullying and teen dating violence inclusive, but not limited to, the actions described as elements of the Board’s program at numbers one (1) through twenty (20) above.
The Superintendent shall develop rules and procedures, which carry out the provisions of this policy. In addition, the Superintendent shall provide that students and parents of students are notified of this prohibition against bullying and teen dating and violence and the penalties for violating the prohibition by ensuring the posting of such information at each school and by ensuring inclusion of such information in student and parent handbooks.
This policy shall not be interpreted to prohibit a reasonable and civil exchange of opinions, or debate that is protected by state or federal law.
Assessments
On and after July 1, 2012, and biennially thereafter, the Board of Education shall require each school in the district to complete an assessment using the school climate assessment instruments, including surveys, approved and disseminated by the Department of Education pursuant to C.G.S. 10-222h. The Board of Education shall collect the school climate assessments for each school in the district and submit such school climate assessments to the department.
(cf. 0521 – Nondiscrimination)
(cf. 4131 – Staff Development)
(cf. 5114 – Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
(cf. 5131 – Conduct)
(cf. 5131.21 – Violent and Aggressive Behavior)
(cf. 5131.8 – Out-of-School Misconduct)
(cf. 5131.912 – Aggressive Behavior)
(cf. 5131.913 – Cyberbullying)
(cf. 5131.91 – Hazing)
(cf. 5144 – Discipline/Punishment)
(cf. 5145.4 – Nondiscrimination)
(cf. 5145.5 – Sexual Harassment)
(cf. 5145.51 – Peer Sexual Harassment)
(cf. 6121 – Nondiscrimination)
(cf. 6121.1 – Equal Educational Opportunity)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-15b Access of parent or guardian to student's records. Inspection and subpoena of school or student records.
10-222d Policy on bullying behavior as amended by PA 08-160, PA 11-232 and PA 14-172. 10-222g. Prevention and intervention strategy re bullying and teen dating violence. 10-222i. State-wide safe school climate resource network. 10-222j. Training re prevention, identification and response to school bullying, teen dating violence and youth suicide. 10-222k. District safe school climate coordinator. Safe school climate specialist. Safe school climate committee. 10-222l. Immunity of school employees, students, parents or guardians, individuals and boards of education from liability for certain actions relating to reporting, investigating and responding to school bullying and teen dating violence.
PA 06-115 An Act Concerning Bullying Policies in Schools and Notices Sent to Parents or Legal Guardians.
PA 08-160 An Act Concerning School Learning Environment.
PA 11-232 An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws.
PA 14-172 An Act Concerning Improving Employment Opportunities through Education And Ensuring Safe School Climates.
PA 14-234 An Act Concerning Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
PA 18-15 An Act Concerning School Counselors.
PA 19-166 An Act Concerning School Climates.
Policy Adopted: June 7, 2007
Revised: March 28, 2013, March 24, 2016, May 25, 2023
Bullying and Teen Dating Violence Interventions
Action Steps for School Administrators
• Immediately intervene in all bullying and teen dating violence incidents.
• Involve parents of bullies and victims of bullying and teen dating violence, where appropriate.
• Form “friendship groups” or other supports for students who are victims of bullying.
• Involve school counselors or mental health professionals, where appropriate.
• Assess the awareness and the scope of the bullying and teen dating violence problem at your school through student and staff surveys.
• Closely supervise students on the playing fields and in classrooms, hallways, rest rooms, cafeterias, and other areas where bullying occurs in your school.
• Conduct school wide assemblies and teacher/staff in-service training to raise awareness regarding the problem of bullying and teen dating violence and to communicate a zero tolerance for such behavior.
• Post and publicize clear behavior standards, including rules against bullying, for all students. Consistently and fairly enforce such standards.
• Encourage parent participation by establishing on-campus parent centers that recruit, coordinate and encourage parents to take part in the educational process and in volunteering to assist in school activities and projects.
• Establish a confidential reporting system that allows children to report victimization and that records the details of bullying and teen dating violence incidents.
• Ensure that your school has all legally required policies and grievance procedures for sexual discrimination. Make these procedures known to parents and students.
• Receive and listen receptively to parents who report bullying and teen dating violence. Establish procedures whereby such reports are investigated and resolved expeditiously at the school level in order to avoid perpetuating bullying and teen dating violence.
• Develop strategies to reward students for positive, inclusive behavior.
• Provide school wide and classroom activities that are designed to build self-esteem by spotlighting special talents, hobbies, interests, and abilities of all students and that foster mutual understanding of and appreciation for differences in others.
Strategies for Classroom Teachers
• Provide students with opportunities to talk about bullying and teen dating violence and enlist their support in defining bullying and teen dating violence as unacceptable behavior.
• Involve students in establishing classroom rules against bullying. Such rules may include a commitment from the teacher to not look the other way when incidents involving bullying occur.
• Provide age-appropriate classroom activities and discussions related to bullying, teen dating violence and violence, including the harm that they cause and strategies to reduce them.
• Develop a classroom action plan to ensure that students know what to do when they observe a bully/victim confrontation.
• Teach cooperation by assigning projects that require collaboration. Such cooperation teaches students how to compromise and how to assert without demanding. Take care to vary groupings of participants and to monitor the treatment of participants in each group.
• Take immediate action when bullying or teen dating violence is observed. All teachers and school staff must let children know that they care and will not allow anyone to be mistreated. By taking immediate action and dealing directly with the bully, adults support both the victim and the witnesses.
• Confront bullies in private. Challenging a bully in front of his/her peers may actually enhance his/her status and lead to further aggression.
• Notify the parents of both victims and bullies and perpetrators of teen dating violence when a confrontation occurs and seek to resolve the problem expeditiously at school.
• Refer both victims and aggressors to counseling whenever appropriate.
• Provide protection for bullying victims and victims of teen dating violence, whenever necessary. Such protection may include creating a buddy system whereby students have a particular friend or older buddy on whom they can depend on and with whom they share class schedule information and plans for the school day.
• Listen receptively to parents who report bullying and teen dating violence and investigate reported circumstances so that immediate and appropriate school action may be taken.
• Avoid attempts to mediate a bullying situation. The difference in power between victims and bullies may cause victims to feel further victimized by the process or believe that they are somehow at fault.
Strategies for Students
Students may not know what to do when they observe a classmate being bullied or experience such victimization themselves. Classroom discussions and activities may help students develop a variety of appropriate actions that they can take when they witness or experience such victimization. For instance, depending on the situation and their own level of comfort, students can:
• seek immediate help from an adult.
• report bullying/teen dating violence victimization incidents to school personnel.
The best protection parents can offer their children who are involved in a bully/ teen dating victim conflict is to foster their child’s confidence and independence and to be willing to take action when needed. The following suggestions are offered to help parents identify appropriate responses to conflict experienced by their children at school:
• Be careful not to convey to a child who is being victimized that something is wrong with him/her or that he/she deserves such treatment. When a child is subjected to abuse from his or her peers, it is not fair to fault the child’s social skills. Respect is a basic right. All children are entitled to courteous and respectful treatment. Convince your child that he or she is not at fault and that the perpetrator’s behavior is the source of the problem.
• It is appropriate to call the school if your child is involved in a conflict as either a victim or a perpetrator. Work collaboratively with school personnel to address the problem. Keep records of incidents so that you can be specific in your discussion with school personnel about your child’s experiences at school.
• You may wish to arrange a conference with a teacher, principal or counselor. School personnel may be able to offer some practical advice to help you and your child. They may also be able to intervene directly with each of the participants. School personnel may have observed the conflict firsthand and may be able to corroborate your child’s version of the incident, making it harder for the perpetrator or the perpetrator’s parents to deny its authenticity.
• While it is often important to talk with the perpetrator or his/her parents, be careful in your approach. Speaking directly to the perpetrator may signal to the perpetrator that your child is a weakling. Speaking with the parents of a perpetrator of bullying or teen dating violence may not accomplish anything since lack of parental involvement in the child’s life is a typical characteristic of parents of bullies. Parents of bullies may also fail to see anything wrong with bullying, equating it to “standing up for oneself.”
• Offer support to your child but do not encourage dependence on you. Rescuing your child from challenges or assuming responsibility yourself when things are not going well does not teach your child independence. The more choices a child must make, the more he or she develops independence, and independence can contribute to self-confidence.
• Do not encourage your child to be aggressive or to strike back. Chances are that it is not his or her nature to do so. Rather, teach your child to be assertive. A bully often looks for an indication that his/her threats and intimidation are working. Tears or passive acceptance only reinforces the bully’s behavior. A child who does not respond as the bully desires is not likely to be chosen as a victim. For example, children can be taught to respond to aggression with humor and assertions rather than acquiescence.
• Be patient. Conflict between children more than likely will not be resolved overnight. Be prepared to spend time with your child, encouraging your child to develop new interests or strengthen existing talents and skills that will help develop and improve his/her self- esteem. Also, help your child to develop new or bolster existing friendships. Friends often serve as buffers to bullying and teen dating violence.
• If the problem persists or escalates, you may need to seek an attorney’s help or contact local law enforcement officials. Bullying or acts of bullying or teen dating violence should not be tolerated in the school or the community. Students should not have to tolerate bullying or teen dating violence at school any more than adults would tolerate such situations at work.
5131.911R
Students
Bullying
Model Safe School Climate Plan
I. Purpose/Priority Statement
The Windsor Locks Public Schools is committed to providing all students with a safe learning environment that is free from harassment, bullying, cyberbullying and teen dating violence. The goal is the establishment of a positive school climate in which norms, values, and expectations make students and adults feel socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically safe. This commitment is an integral part of our comprehensive efforts to promote learning and to prevent and eliminate all forms of bullying and teen dating violence and other harmful and disruptive behavior that can impede the learning process. The District expects that all members of the school community will treat each other in a civil manner and with respect for differences. Accordingly, the Board adopts the Safe School Climate Plan outlined in this regulation.
II. Prohibition Against Bullying and Teen Dating Violence
The Board of Education (Board) prohibits bullying and teen dating violence (a) on school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by the Board, or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by the Board, and (b) outside of the school setting if such bullying or teen dating violence (i) creates a hostile environment at school for the victim, (ii) infringes on the rights of the victim at school, or (iii) substantially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of a school.
III. Definition of Bullying
Bullying” means an act that is direct or indirect and severe, persistent or pervasive which:
A. causes physical or emotional harm to an individual,
B. places an individual in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm, or
C. infringes on the rights and opportunities of an individual at school.
Bullying shall include, but need not be limited to, a written, oral, or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.
IV. Other Definitions
“Cyberbullying” means any act of bullying through the use of the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, cellular mobile telephone or other mobile electronic devices or any electronic communications.
“Teen dating violence” means any act of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, including stalking, harassing and threatening that occurs between two students who are currently in or have recently been in a dating relationship.
“Mobile electronic device” means any hand-held or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing data communication between two or more individuals, including, but not limited to, a text messaging device, a paging device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, equipment that is capable of playing a video game or a digital video disk, or equipment on which digital images are taken or transmitted.
“Electronic communication” means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or photo-optical system.
“Hostile environment” means a situation in which bullying among students is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the school climate.
“Outside of the school setting” means at a location, activity or program that is not school related, or through the use of an electronic device or a mobile electronic device that is not owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education.
“School employee” means (a) a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (b) any other individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education.
“School climate” means the quality and character of school life based on students', parents', guardians' and school employees' experiences of school life, including, but not limited to, norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices and organizational structures.
“Positive school climate” means (A) a school climate in which the norms, values, expectations and beliefs that support feelings of social, emotional and physical safety are promoted, (B) students, parents and guardians of students and school employees feel engaged and respected and work together to develop and contribute to a shared school vision, (C) educators model and nurture attitudes that emphasize the benefits and satisfaction gained from learning, and (D) each person feels comfortable contributing to the operation of the school and care of the physical environment of the school.
“Emotional intelligence” means the ability to (A) perceive, recognize and understand emotions in oneself or others, (B) use emotions to facilitate cognitive activities, including, but not limited to, reasoning, problem solving and interpersonal communication, (C) understand and identify emotions, and (D) manage emotions in oneself and others.
“Social and emotional learning” means the process through which children and adults achieve emotional intelligence through the competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
V. Publication of the Prohibition against Bullying and Teen Dating Violence and Related Procedures
1. The prohibition against bullying and teen dating violence shall be publicized in the student handbook of each district school and shall include the following statement along with the most current definition of bullying and teen dating violence as defined in state law:
“Bullying behavior and teen dating violence by any student in the Windsor Locks Public Schools is strictly prohibited, and such conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion from school.
Students are prohibited from engaging in any act of bullying or teen dating violence, on school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by the Board of Education, or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by the Board of Education, and outside of the school setting if such bullying:
1. creates a hostile environment at school for the victim,
2. infringes on the rights of the victim at school, or
3. substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school,
VI. Roles and Responsibilities of School Personnel
A. District Safe School Climate Coordinator
For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school year thereafter, the Superintendent of Schools shall appoint, from among existing District staff, a District Safe School Climate Coordinator.
The Coordinator shall:
1. Implement the District’s safe school climate plan;
2. Collaborate with safe school climate specialists, the Board, and the Superintendent to prevent, identify, and respond to bullying in District schools;
3. Provide data and information derived from the safe school climate assessments, in collaboration with the Superintendent, to the Department of Education;
4. Respond to bullying and teen dating violence in District schools ;
5. Meet with the safe school climate specialists at least twice during the school year to discuss bullying issues in the district and make recommended changes to the District’s safe school climate plan.
6. Successfully complete for the school year commencing July 1 2014, the mental health first aid training provided by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services. (Such training only required once)
B. Safe School Climate Specialist
For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school year thereafter, each school Principal shall serve, or designate someone to serve, as the Safe School Climate Specialist for the school.
The Specialist in each school shall:
1. Investigate or supervise the investigation of reported acts of bullying or teen dating violence in the school in accordance with the District’s Safe School Climate Plan;
2. Collect and maintain records of reports and investigations of bullying and teen dating violence in the school; and
3. Act as the primary school official responsible for preventing, identifying and responding to bullying and teen dating violence reports in the school.
C. Teachers and Other School Staff
1. School employees who witness acts of bullying or teen dating violence, as defined above, or who receive reports of bullying or teen dating violence shall promptly notify the Safe School Climate Specialist or another school administrator if the Safe School Climate Specialist is unavailable, not later than one school day after such employee witnesses or receives a report of bullying or teen dating violence. A written report must be filed not later than two school days after making such an oral report concerning the events witnessed or reported.
2. In addition to addressing both informal and formal complaints, school employees and others are encouraged to address the issue of bullying or teen dating violence in other interactions with students. Teachers and other professionals may find opportunities to educate students about bullying and teen dating violence and help eliminate bullying behavior and teen dating violence through class discussions, counseling, and reinforcement of socially appropriate behavior.
3. All school employees including teachers and other professional employees should intervene promptly whenever they observe student conduct that has the purpose or effect of ridiculing, humiliating or intimidating another student, even if such conduct does not meet the formal definition of “bullying”.
VII. Annual Notification of the Complaint Process
The process by which students may make formal, informal, and anonymous complaints as set forth below shall be publicized annually in the student handbook of each of the District schools. In addition, this Safe School Climate Plan shall be placed on the District website and the website of each school.
VIII. Complaint Process
Students and/or parents may file verbal or written complaints concerning suspected bullying and teen dating violence behavior, and students shall be permitted to anonymously report acts of bullying and teen dating violence to school employees.
A. Formal Written Complaints
Students and/or their parents or guardians may file written reports of conduct that they consider to be bullying or teen dating violence. Such written reports shall be reasonably specific as to the actions giving rise to the suspicion of bullying or teen dating violence, including time and place of the conduct alleged, the number of such incidents, the target of such suspected bullying or teen dating violence, and the names of any potential student or staff witnesses. Such reports may be filed with any school employee, and they shall be promptly forwarded to the Safe School Climate Specialist or another school administrator, if the Safe School specialist is unavailable, for review and action in accordance with this regulation.
B. Informal/Verbal Complaints by Students
Students may make an informal complaint of conduct that they consider to be bullying or teen dating violence by verbal report to the Safe School Climate Specialist, or to any school employee, as defined, or administrator. Such informal complaints shall be reasonably specific as to the actions giving rise to the suspicion of bullying or teen dating violence, including time and place of the conduct alleged, the number of such incidents, the target of such suspected bullying, and the names of any potential student or staff witnesses. A school employee, administrator or the Safe School Climate Specialist who receives an informal complaint shall promptly reduce the complaint to writing, including the information provided. Such written report prepared by the school employee, or administrator, if not the Safe School Climate Specialist, shall be promptly forwarded to the Building Principal for review and action in accordance with this regulation.
C. Anonymous Complaints
Students may make anonymous complaints of bullying or teen dating violence. There are two kinds of anonymous complaints. One that comes to the attention of school personnel without knowledge of the identity of the person making the report (i.e., anonymous note) and the other is brought forth by an individual who requests to have his/her identity remain confidential.
All anonymous complaints shall be investigated to the maximum extent possible. No disciplinary action shall be taken solely based on an anonymous report.
Students who make informal complaints as set forth above may request that their name be maintained in confidence by the school employee who receives the complaint. Should anonymity be requested, the Safe School Climate Specialist, if not the Principal or his/her designee, shall meet with the student to review the request for anonymity and to discuss the impact that maintaining anonymity of the complaint may have on the investigation of the complaint and/or possible remedial action.
When a student making an informal complaint has requested anonymity, the investigation of such complaint shall be limited as is appropriate in view of the anonymity of the complainant. Such limitation of investigation may include restricting action to a simple review of the complaint (with or without discussing it with the alleged perpetrator), subject to receipt of further information and/or the withdrawal by the complaining individual of the condition that his/her report be anonymous. The District will act in accordance with its legal obligation to further investigate and/or report the allegation to third parties such as the police or an another outside agency.
After investigation of the complaint, reasonable action will be taken to address the situation.
IX. Responsibilities of the Safe School Climate Specialist
1. Investigation
The Safe School Climate Specialist shall be promptly notified of any formal or informal complaint of suspected bullying or teen dating violence received by any school employee. The Safe School Climate Specialist shall investigate or supervise the investigation of reported acts of bullying or teen dating violence in the school in accordance with the District’s Safe School Climate Plan. Prompt notice must be provided to the parents/guardians of the person bullied or the victim of teen dating violence and the student alleged to have committed the act of bullying or teen dating violence that such investigation has begun. All such complaints shall be investigated promptly. The investigation must be completed promptly after the receipt by the Safe School Climate Specialist of any written report. In order to allow the District to adequately investigate all formal complaints, the parent of the student suspected of being bullied or a victim of teen dating violence must complete a consent form that allows their District to release that student’s name to those third parties who the District contacts as part of its investigation of that complaint. With regard to the investigation of informal complaints, the parent of the student suspected of being bullied or being a victim of teen dating violence must complete the above-referenced consent form so long as that student has not requested anonymity.
A written summary investigation report using district forms should be completed when the investigation is complete. Such report shall include, a determination of whether acts of bullying or teen dating violence were verified, and, when acts of bullying are verified, a recommendation for intervention, including disciplinary action.
2. Parental Notification/Meeting Invitation
a. The school shall notify the parents or guardians of students who commit any verified acts of bullying or teen dating violence and the parents or guardians of students against whom such acts were directed not later than forty-eight hours after the completion of the investigation. The required notification shall include the results of such an investigation.
b. Each school shall notify the parents or guardians of student who commit any verified acts of bullying or teen dating violence and the parents or guardians of students against whom such acts were directed, verbally and by electronic mail, if such parents' or guardians' electronic mail addresses are known, that such parents or guardians may refer to the plain language explanation of the rights and remedies available under Connecticut General Statutes, Sections 10-4a and 10-4b,as published on the Board’s Internet web site.
c. The school shall invite the parents or guardians of a student against whom bullying was directed to a meeting to communicate to such parents or guardians the measures being taken by the school to ensure the safety of the student against whom such act was directed and policies and procedures in place to prevent further acts of bullying.
d. The school shall invite the parents or guardians of a student who commits any verified act of bullying or teen dating violence to a meeting, separate and distinct from the meeting with the parents or guardians of student who acts of bullying or teen dating were directed, to discuss specific interventions undertaken by the school to prevent further acts of bullying.
X. Responsive and Remedial Actions
Verified acts of bullying or teen dating violence shall result in intervention by the Building Principal or his/her designee that is intended to address the acts of the perpetrator and the needs of the victim and to assure that the prohibition against bullying behavior or teen dating violence is enforced, with the goal that any such bullying behavior or teen dating violence will end as a result.
Bullying behavior can take many forms and can vary dramatically in how serious it is, and what impact it has on the victim and other students. Accordingly, there is no one prescribed response to verified acts of bullying. While conduct that rises to the level of “bullying” as defined above will generally warrant disciplinary action against the perpetrator of such bullying, whether and to what extent to impose disciplinary action (detention, in-school suspension; suspension or expulsion) is a matter for the professional discretion of the Building Principal (or responsible program administrator or his/her designee.) The following sets forth possible interventions for building principals to enforce the Board’s prohibition against bullying. No disciplinary action may be taken solely based on an anonymous complaint.
The following sets forth permissible interventions for Safe School Climate Specialist, building principals or designee to enforce the Board’s prohibition against bullying and teen dating violence.
a. Non-disciplinary Interventions
When verified acts of bullying and teen dating violence are identified early and/or when such verified acts of bullying and teen dating violence do not reasonably require a disciplinary response, students may be counseled as to the definition of bullying or teen dating violence, its prohibition, and their duty to avoid any conduct that could be considered bullying or teen dating violence.
If a complaint arises out of conflict between students or groups of students, peer mediation may be considered. Special care, however, is warranted in referring such cases to peer mediation. A power imbalance may make the process intimidating for the victim and therefore inappropriate. In such cases, the victim should be offered additional support. Alternatively, peer mediation may be deemed inappropriate to address the concern.
In any instance in which bullying or teen dating violence is verified, the building Principal (or other responsible program administrator) shall invite the parents or guardians of the student against whom such act was directed, and the parents or guardians of a student who commits any verified act of bullying, to separate meetings to communicate to such parents or guardians the measures being taken by the school to ensure the student’s safety and to prevent further acts of bullying or teen dating violence
b. Disciplinary Interventions
When acts of bullying and teen dating violence are verified and a disciplinary response is warranted, students are subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences. Anonymous complaints that are not otherwise verified, however, shall not be the basis for disciplinary action.
In-school suspension and suspension may be imposed only after informing the accused perpetrator of the reasons for the proposed suspension and giving him/her an opportunity to explain the situation, in accordance with the Board’s Student Discipline policy.
Expulsion may be imposed only after a hearing before the Board of Education, a committee of the Board or an impartial hearing officer designated by the Board of Education in accordance with Board policy. This consequence shall be reserved for serious incidents of bullying and teen dating violence and/or when past interventions have not been successful in eliminating bullying or teen dating violence behavior.
c. Interventions for Bullied Students
Intervention strategies for a bullied student may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Counseling.
• Increased supervision and monitoring to observe and intervene in bullying or teen dating violence situations or retaliation.
• Encouragement of the student to seek help when needed, or if experiencing continued bullying or teen dating violence.
• Peer mediation where appropriate.
d. Referrals for either or both a bullied student or a perpetrator of bullying may be made by school administration as deemed appropriate to an in school and/or outside of school agency, institution, group or individual (i.e., PPT; police)
XI. General Prevention and Intervention Strategies
In addition to the prompt investigation of complaints of bullying and teen dating violence and direct intervention when acts of bullying and teen dating violence are verified, other District actions may ameliorate any potential problem with bullying or teen dating violence in school or at school-sponsored activities. A focus will be placed on district and school efforts to improve school climate based upon the National School Climate Standards.
While no specific action is required and school needs for such interventions may vary from time to time, the following list of potential intervention strategies shall serve as a resource for administrators, teachers, and other professional staff members in each school:
a. Implementation of a positive behavioral interventions and supports process or another evidence-based model approach for safe school climate or for the prevention of bullying, including any such program identified by the Department of Education.
b. A safe school climate assessment conducted biennially to determine the prevalence of bullying or teen dating violence. Such assessments may include, in addition to those approved and disseminated by the State Department of Education, in collaboration with CAS, the National School Climate Standards Self-Assessment Tool’ and the Connecticut State Department of Education’s “Improving School Climate Team Rubric”.
c. Establishment by the school Principal of a Safe School Climate Committee in each District school or the designation of an existing committee that is responsible for fostering a safe school climate and addressing issues related to bullying and teen dating violence in the school.
The committee must include at least one parent/guardian of a student enrolled in the school appointed by the principal, school personnel, including but not limited to at least one teacher selected by the exclusive bargaining representative for certified employees chosen pursuant to section 10-153b, medical and mental health personnel assigned to such school, and in the case of a committee for a high school, at least one student enrolled at such high school who is selected by the students of such school in a manner determined by the school principal.
The Safe School Climate Committee shall:
1. Receive copies of completed reports following investigations of bullying and teen dating violence.
2. Identify and address patterns of bullying and teen dating violence among students in the school.
3. Implement the provisions of the school security plan and safety plan (developed pursuant to Section 87 of PA 13-3) regarding the collection, evaluation and reporting of information relating to instances of disturbing or threatening behavior that may not meet the definition of bullying (defined in Connecticut General Statutes 10-222d) and report such information as necessary, to the District Safe School Climate Coordinator and to the school’s security and safety committee.
4. Review and amend school policies relating to bullying and teen dating violence.
5. Review and make recommendation to the District Safe School Climate Coordinator regarding the District’s Safe Climate Plan based on issues and experiences specific to the school.
6. Educate students, school employees and parents and guardians of students on issues relating to bullying and teen dating violence.
7. Collaborate with the District Safe School Climate Coordinator in the collection of data regarding bullying and teen dating violence.
8. Perform any other duties as determined by the School Principal that are related to the prevention, identification and response to school bullying and teen dating violence for the school.
9. Parent and student members of the Safe School Climate Committee are excluded from activities #1 and #2 above and from any other committee activities that may compromise the confidentiality of a student.
d. Adequate adult supervision of outdoor areas, hallways, the lunchroom and other specific areas where bullying or teen dating violence is likely to occur.
e. Inclusion of grade-appropriate bullying education and teen dating violence education and prevention curricula in kindergarten through high school.
f. Individual interventions with the perpetrator, parents and school employees, and interventions with the bullied student, or student who commits teen dating violence, parents and school employees. Such interventions may include referrals to a school counselor, psychologist, or other appropriate social or mental health services, and periodic follow-up by the safe school climate specialist with the bullied child.
g. School-wide training related to safe school climate.
h. Promotion of parent involvement in bullying and teen dating violence prevention through individual or team participation in meetings, trainings and individual interventions.
i. Respectful responses to bullying and teen dating violence concerns raised by students, parents or staff.
j. Planned professional development programs addressing bully/victim and teen dating perpetrator/victim problems.
k. Student peer training, education and support. Use of peers to help ameliorate the plight of victims and include them in group activities.
l. Avoidance of sex-role stereotyping (e.g., males need to be strong and tough).
m. Continuing awareness and involvement on the part of staff and parents with regards to prevention and intervention strategies.
n. Modeling by all school employees of positive, respectful, and supportive behavior toward students.
o. Creating a school atmosphere of team spirit and collaboration that promotes appropriate social behavior by students in support of others.
p. Employing classroom strategies that instruct students how to work together in a collaborative and supportive atmosphere.
q. Utilizing a culturally competent school-based curriculum focusing on social- emotional learning, self-awareness and self-regulation
XII. List of Verified Acts of Bullying/Teen Dating Violence
The Principal/Safe School Climate Specialist of each school shall establish a procedure to document and maintain records relating to reports and investigations of bullying and teen dating violence in such school and maintain a list of the number of verified acts of bullying and teen dating violence in the school, and this list shall be available for public inspection upon request. The list shall be reported annually to the Department of Education in such manner as prescribed by the Commissioner of Education. The list shall be limited to the number of such verified acts of bullying or teen dating violence in the school, and it shall not set out the particulars of each verified act, including but not limited to any personally identifiable student information, which is confidential information by law.
XIII. Prohibition against Discrimination and Retaliation
A. Safety
Discrimination and/or retaliation against any person who reports bullying or teen dating violence, provides information during an investigation of an act of bullying or teen dating violence, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying or teen dating violence is prohibited.
The continuation and perpetuation of bullying or teen dating violence by any other student is prohibited.
The District will not tolerate any unlawful or disruptive behavior, including any form of bullying or teen dating violence, cyberbullying, discrimination or retaliation in our school buildings, on school grounds, or in school related activities. All reports and complaints of bullying, teen dating violence, cyberbullying, discrimination and retaliation will be investigated promptly and prompt action will be taken to end that behavior and restore the sense of safety to the students against whom such bullying or teen dating violence was directed. This commitment is to be supported in all aspects of the school community, including curricula, instructional programs, staff development, extracurricular activities, and parent/guardian involvement.
Before formally investigating the allegations of bullying, teen dating violence, or retaliation, the Principal/Safe School Climate Specialist or designee will take steps to assess the need to restore a sense of safety to the alleged student against whom such bullying or teen dating violence was directed (target) and/or to protect the alleged target from possible further incidents. Responses to promote safety may include, but are not limited to, creating a personal safety plan; pre-determining seating arrangements for the alleged victim (target) and/or the alleged perpetrator in the classroom, at lunch, or on the bus; identifying a staff member who will act as a “safe person” for the alleged student against whom such bullying or teen dating violence was directed (target); and altering the alleged perpetrator’s schedule and access to the alleged target. The Principal/Safe School Climate Specialist will take additional steps to promote safety during and after the investigation, as necessary.
The Principal/Safe School Climate Specialist will implement appropriate strategies for protecting from bullying or retaliation a student who has reported bullying or retaliation, a student who has witnessed bullying or retaliation, a student who provides information during an investigation, or a student who has reliable information about a reported act of bullying or retaliation.
Within a reasonable period following the determination and the ordering of remedial and/or disciplinary action, the Principal/Safe School climate Specialist or designee will contact the victim to determine whether there has been a recurrence of the prohibited conduct and whether additional supportive measures are needed. If determined necessary, the Principal/Safe School Climate Specialist will work with appropriate school staff to implement them immediately.
B. Law Enforcement Notification
The School Principal or his/her designee shall notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency when such Principal or the Principal’s designee believes any acts of bullying or teen dating violence constitute criminal conduct.
XIV. Training Requirements for School Staff
A. Certified staff of the District shall be provided in-service training on the prevention, identification and response to school bullying and teen dating violence and the prevention of and response to youth suicide.
B. Beginning teachers shall satisfactorily complete instructional modules as required by C.G.S. 10-145a which shall include a module in classroom management and climate, which shall include training regarding the prevention, identification, and response to school bullying, teen dating violence and the prevention of and response to youth suicide.
C. Non-certified staff of the District will participate in annual training to be provided, within available appropriations, by the Connecticut State Department of Education. The training may be presented in person by mentors, offered in state-wide workshops, or through on- line courses. Such training may include, but is not limited to:
1. Developmentally appropriate strategies to prevent bullying and teen dating violence among students in school and outside the school setting,
2. Developmentally appropriate strategies for immediate and effective interventions to stop bullying and teen dating violence,
3. Information regarding the interaction and relationship between students committing acts of bullying and teen dating violence, students against whom such acts of bullying and teen dating violence are directed and witnesses of such acts of bullying and teen dating violence,
4. Research findings on bullying, such as information about the types of students who have been shown to be at-risk for bullying and teen dating violence in the school setting,
5. Information about the incidence and nature of cyberbullying as defined in C.G.S. 10- 222d, or
6. Internet safety issues as they relate to cyberbullying.
XV. Notification Requirements to Employees and the Public
A. A copy of this District’s Safe School Climate Plan shall be provided in written or electronic format to all District employees annually at the beginning of each school year.
B. The District’s Safe School Climate Plan shall be made available on the Board’s website and on the website of each individual school with the District. Such posting shall occur within thirty (30) days of the approval of such plan by the Board.
C. The District’s Safe School Climate Plan shall be included in the District’s publication of the rules, procedures and standards of conduct for schools and in all student handbooks.
XVI. School Climate Assessments
A. On or after July 1, 2012, and biennially thereafter, the Board requires each school within the District to complete an assessment using the school climate assessment instruments, including surveys, approved and disseminated by the State Department of Education.
B. Completed assessments shall be shared with the Board and then submitted by the Board to the State Department of Education.
XVII. Bullying Through the Use of Technology (Cyberbullying)
An emerging form of bullying is the use of technology to threaten, intimidate, ridicule, humiliate, insult, or harass. Technology enables aggressive expression toward others and does not rely on physical strength or physical contact. By using a cell phone or the Internet, a student can quickly and aggressively spread rumors, threats, hate mail, or embarrassing photos through text messages, e-mails, or instant messages.
There are a number of social networking sites (, Facebook, Twitter, Snap Chat, etc.) available to our students that can be misused and/or abused for bullying purposes. Any alleged misuse or abuse must be reported to any staff member or the Safe School Climate Specialist.
The District’s discipline policy states that misuse, on or off campus, of electronic devices, for threatening/bullying/hazing or harassment is a violation and can be the basis for discipline on or off campus. When information is received that a student or students are involved in bullying through the use of technology either as the actor or a member of a group, or the victim, the following will be considered:
• If it takes place on campus or at a school sponsored event, disciplinary action will be taken.
• If it takes place off campus a school may take disciplinary action if the incident poses a likelihood of substantial disruption to the educational process or the orderly day to day operations of the school.
XVIII. Relationship to Other Laws
A. Consistent with state and federal laws, and the policies of the district and school rules, no person shall be discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town or in obtaining the advantages, privilege and courses of study of such public school on account of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or gender-identity or expression. Nothing in the “Plan” prevents the school or district from taking action to remediate discrimination or harassment based on a person’s membership in a legally protected category under local, state, or federal law, or district policies.
B. In addition, nothing in the “Plan” is designed or intended to limit the authority of the school or district to take disciplinary action under applicable laws, or local school or District policies in response to violent, harmful, or disruptive behavior, regardless of whether the “Plan” covers the behavior.
C. Nothing in the “Plan” is designed or intended to prohibit reasonable and civil exchange of opinions, or debate that is protected by state or federal law.
XIX. Immunity for Board of Education, School Employees, Others
Members of the Board of Education and school employees are protected by statute against damage claims in the implementation of a safe school climate plan and, in accordance with a school district safe school climate plan, report, investigate, or respond to bullying. PA 11-232 also extends this immunity to reports of bullying incidents by parents, students, and others made to a school employee according to a safe school climate plan.
To be immune, these parties must act in good faith and, in the case of a school employee or Board of Education, within the scope of their duties. Immunity does not cover gross, wanton, reckless, or willful misconduct.
Regulation Approved: March 28, 2013 WINDSOR LOCKS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Revised: March 24, 2016, October 23, 2023 Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Appendix A
ANNUAL BULLYING NOTICE
Bullying behavior by any student in the Windsor Locks Public Schools is strictly prohibited, and such conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion from school.
"Bullying” means an act that is direct or indirect and severe, persistent or pervasive which:
A. causes physical or emotional harm to an individual,
B. places an individual in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm, or
C. infringes on the rights and opportunities of an individual at school.
Bullying shall include, but need not be limited to, a written, oral, or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.
Teen dating violence means any act of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, including stalking, harassing and threatening that occurs between two students who are currently in or have recently been in a dating relationship.
Students are prohibited from engaging in any act of bullying or teen dating violence, on school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by the Board of Education, or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by the Board of Education, and outside of the school setting if such bullying:
A. Creates a hostile environment at school for the victim,
B. Infringes on the rights of the victim at school, or
C. Substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.
Students and/or parents may file verbal or written complaints concerning suspected bullying or teen dating violence behavior, and students shall be permitted to anonymously report acts of bullying to school employees. Any report of suspected bullying or teen dating violence behavior will be promptly reviewed. If acts of bullying or teen dating violence are verified, prompt disciplinary action may be taken against the perpetrator, consistent with his/her rights of due process. Board policy and regulation #5131.911 set forth this prohibition and the related procedures in detail and are available to students and their parents/guardians upon request and are also published on the District’s website.
Appendix B
Disciplinary Sanctions for Bullying Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation
The following has been adapted from the Policy on Bullying
Disciplinary Policy Regarding Civil Rights Issues
The District prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment, as defined below, based on the following protected categories: race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), age, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender-identity or expression and/or disability (including, but not limited to, mental retardation, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws.
The District also prohibits bullying and teen dating violence, as defined below.
The District will not tolerate retaliation against persons who take action consistent with this disciplinary policy.
The prohibition against bullying, teen dating violence, discrimination, harassment and retaliation applies to all students on all sites and activities the District supervises, controls, or where it has jurisdiction under the law, including on school premises and school-sponsored functions, events or activities, including field trips, athletic activities, school-related transportation and in production and work-based learning sites.
The District may also take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action for misuse of privately owned or school owned/operated electronic devices or other technology when occurring on campus and off campus if the incident poses a likelihood of substantial disruption to the educational process or the orderly day to day operations of the school.
Reports or complaints of bullying, teen dating violence, discrimination, harassment or retaliation will be investigated.
Permissible Disciplinary Sanctions and Corrective Actions in Response to Bullying, Discrimination, Harassment or Retaliation
Disciplinary sanctions and corrective actions may include, but are not limited to one or more of the following:
1. a written warning.
2. classroom or school transfer.
3. short-term or long-term suspension.
4. exclusion or expulsion.
5. exclusion from participation in school-sponsored functions, after school programs and/or extracurricular activities.
6. Limiting or denying student access to a part or area of a school.
7. Parent conferences.
8. Adult supervision on school premises.
9. A voluntary apology to the victim.
10. Awareness training (to help student perpetrators understand the impact of their behavior).
11. Participation in empathy development, cultural diversity, anti-harassment, anti-bullying or intergroup relations programs.
12. Mandatory counseling.
13. Any other action authorized by and consistent with the Student Code of Conduct and/or school disciplinary code.
14. Appropriate referral including reports to law enforcement, state agencies, school counseling and PPT.
Protection Against Retaliation
The District will take appropriate steps to protect students from retaliation when they report or file a complaint or cooperate in an investigation of a violation of the bullying policy. Threats or acts of retaliation, whether person-to-person, by electronic means or through third parties, are serious offenses that will subject the violator to significant disciplinary and other corrective action, including suspension, exclusion, or expulsion.
False Charges
Any student who knowingly makes false charges or brings a malicious complaint may be subject to any of the disciplinary and/or corrective action(s) detailed above.
Student Responsibilities
Each student is responsible for:
1. Complying with the Policy on bullying and teen dating violence.
2. Ensuring that (s)he does not discriminate against another or harass another person because of that person’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), age, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and/or disability (including but not limited to, mental retardation, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws.
3. Ensuring that (s)he does not bully another person.
4. Ensuring that (s)he does not retaliate against another person.
5. Ensuring that(s)he does not engage in teen dating violence.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
BULLYING means an act that is direct or indirect and severe, persistent or pervasive which:
A. causes physical or emotional harm to an individual,
B. places an individual in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm, or
C. infringes on the rights and opportunities of an individual at school.
Bullying shall include, but need not be limited to, a written, oral, or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.
DISCRIMINATION: Treating a student or group of students less favorably, or interfering with or preventing a student from enjoying the advantages, privileges or courses of study of a school, including in a production or work-based learning site, because of that student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, and or disability (including, but not limited to, mental retardation, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws.
HARASSMENT: Unwelcome comments or conduct (oral, written, graphic, electronic or physical relating to an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious creed, sex (including sexual harassment or pregnancy), gender identity or expression, age, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability (i.e., protected status), that is sufficiently severe, pervasive and persistent so as limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the district’s programs or activities.
RETALIATION: Threatening to or retaliating against any other person for reporting or filing a complaint, for aiding or encouraging the filing of a report or complaint, or for cooperating in an investigation of harassment or discrimination. Retaliation includes threats or acts of retaliation, whether person-to-person, by electronic means or through third parties. It also includes overt or covert acts of reprisal, interference, restraint, penalty, discrimination, or harassment against an individual or group for exercising rights under the District Policy on Bullying or the Student Grievance Procedures for Alleged Discrimination and Harassment.
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE: means any act of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, including stalking, harassing and threatening that occurs between two students who are currently in or have recently been in a dating relationship.
5131.911R
Form 1
Windsor Locks Public Schools
Bullying /Teen Dating Violence Report Form/Investigation Summary Form
School ________________________________________________________________________ Date _____________________
Location(s) ________________________________________________________________________
Reporter Information:
Anonymous student report _______
Staff Member report _______ Name ______________________________________________
Parent/guardian report Name _______ Name ______________________________________________
Student report Name _______ Name ______________________________________________
Student Reported as Committing Act: ________________________________________________________________________
Student Reported as Victim: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Description of Alleged Act(s): __________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Time and Place: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Names of Potential Witnesses: _________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For Staff Use Only:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Action of Reporter:__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Administrative Investigation Notes (use separate sheet if necessary): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bullying Verified? Yes ____ No ____ Teen Dating Violence Verified: Yes ____ No ____
Remedial Action(s) Taken:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If Bullying Verified, Report Sent to Parents of Students?
Parents’ Names: ______________________________________________ Date Sent: ________________
Parents’ Names: ______________________________________________ Date Sent: ________________
Parents’ Names: ______________________________________________ Date Sent: ________________
Parents’ Names: ______________________________________________ Date Sent: ________________
5131.911R
Form #2
Windsor Locks Public Schools
Report of Bullying/Consent to Release Student Information
Date: ______________________________________________
Name of Student: ______________________________________________
School: ______________________________________________
To Parent/Guardian:
A complaint of bullying has been filed on behalf of your child alleging that he/she has been the victim of bullying or teen dating violence. To facilitate a prompt and thorough investigation of the complaint, the Windsor Locks Public Schools may need to disclose the name of your child and/or other information which may otherwise disclose your child’s identity.
(Please check one):
__________ I hereby give permission for the Windsor Locks Public Schools to disclose my child’s name, along with any other information necessary to permit the district to adequately and appropriately investigate such complaint, to third parties contacted by the district as part of its investigation.
___________ I do NOT give permission for the Windsor Locks Public Schools to disclose my child’s name, along with any other information necessary to permit the district to investigate such complaint adequately and appropriately, to third parties contacted by the district as part of its investigation. I understand that my refusal of consent may prevent or limit a full investigation of the complaint.
________________________________________ ____________
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date
______________________________________________________
Name (Please print)
5131.911R
Form 3
Student Acknowledgement of Anti-Bullying/Anti-Teen Dating Violence Policy
I understand the policy against Bullying at Windsor Locks Public Schools as explained to me by
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________(school personnel).
I am aware that if I engage in any of the actions or behavior that constitute bullying or teen dating violence in school, before or after school, on school grounds, on the bus, or at school sponsored events, or outside of the school setting if such bullying (i) creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom such bullying was directed, (ii) infringes on the rights of the student against whom such bullying was directed at school, or (iii) substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. I can be subjected to school discipline for bullying or teen dating violence. This could include after school detention, Saturday detention, pass restriction, loss of field trip opportunities, social probation, suspension in or out of school, and/or possible expulsion.
I promise that I will not engage in any actions or behaviors that could be considered bullying or teen dating violence. I promise to respect the rights of other students and to act appropriately towards other students.
Name (Please print): _____________________________________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________________________ Grade: ________________ Date: _________________
School: _____________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian (if present): ______________________________________________________________ Date: ______________
School Official (administrator, pupil personnel, SRO, other)
Name: _____________________________________________________ Position: _____________________________________________________________
5131.911R
Appendix
VERIFIED ACTS OF BULLYING
IN THE WINDSOR LOCKS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bullying Behavior in the Schools
The Principal of each school shall maintain a list of the number of verified acts of bullying in the school, and this list shall be available for public inspection upon request. The list shall be limited to the number of such verified acts of bullying in the school, and it shall not set out the particulars of each verified act, including but not limited to any personally identifiable student information, which is confidential information by law.
SCHOOL NAME:_________________________________________________________________
Date Number of Verified Acts of Bullying Administrator
_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________
_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________
_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________
_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________
_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________
_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________
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_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________
_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________
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_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________
_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________
_______________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________