WPS Staff Training The Bullying Prevention Law of 2010

Introduction Erica Cole High School Assistant Principal Claude Valle Middle School Assistant Principal

Background In response to a number of events in the news over the past several years, the State of Massachusetts passed a new law in the spring of 2010 to prevent bullying in schools.

Why are we here? In addition to prevention, the law gives guidelines about what should happen when bullying is reported. It also requires school systems to train all adults that come in contact with our students about the new law.

Before we get into the Law… Please know, most of what the law tells us to do is simply what people in good school systems like Weston have been doing for years.

Specifics: Definition of Bullying Bullying is the repeated use of writing, words, gestures, or electronics that: causes physical or emotional harm places someone in fear of harm creates a hostile environment disrupts education in the building

Cyber-Bullying Includes, but is not limited to: creating a web page or blog in which the creator pretends they are someone else pretending you are someone else while posting any communication transmitted or posted that causes emotional harm or places somebody in fear of harm

Bullying at School and elsewhere Bullying is not allowed on school grounds, at school-related activities, on school buses, or using school technology. Bullying is also not allowed at non- school activities or on non-school technology if it creates a hostile environment at school for the target.

Retaliation “Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying, shall be prohibited.”

Also in the Law… If adults see behaviors that might be interpreted by a reasonable person as bullying, they are required to report it. If a report is made, the Principal or their designeee is required to investigate. If the incident meets the criteria of bullying, the Principal or their designee will determine appropriate consequences according to district poilcy and procedures.

Important Notes Adults are required to report any incident that a reasonable person would find of concern – it is the job of the investigators to determine if bullying actually occurred. Bullying is a conclusion – other possible conclusions include peer conflict (it goes both ways) and harassment (a one-time incident.)

Reporting Procedures If I suspect Bullying, who do I report it to? –Elementary Schools (Country, Woodland, Field) Building Principal School Adjustment Counselor –Secondary Schools (Middle and High Schools) Building Principal Vice Principal

Country School Building Principal: Christine Price School Adjustment Counselor: Amy Black

Woodland School Building Principal: Deborah Dunn School Adjustment Counselor: Carrie Dyball

Field School Building Principal: Matt Lucey School Adjustment Counselor: Terri Miller

Middle School Building Principal: John Gibbons Vice Principal: Claude Valle

High School Building Principal: Anthony Parker Vice Principal: Erica Cole

Questions

To reach us Erica Cole, WHS Assistant Principal Claude Valle, WMS Assistant Principal

Thank you