MPS Anti Bullying and Harassment Policy

State of Alabama Passed Law Requiring School Districts to Adopt an Anti Bullying and Harassment Policy by July 1, 2010 “Alabama is the most recent of 44 states to pass an anti-bullying law, which makes it illegal for students to harass, bully, intimidate, harm or threaten to harm fellow students. The law requires the state's 131 public school districts to pass anti-bullying and harassment policies by July 1.” Published: Sunday, April 18, 2010, 6:00 AM     Updated: Sunday, April 18, 2010, 7:06 AM - By Marie Leech – The Birmingham News

MPS Adopted an Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy on April 28, 2009 The MPS Anti Bullying and Harassment Policy was distributed to students and parents for the first time in the 2009/2010 Code of Student Behavior on August 10, 2009.

Parts of Policy Purpose Definitions of Bullying, Harassment, Disability Harassment, Racial Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Hazing Reporting Bullying and Harassment Behavior Consequences for Bullying or Harassment

Reporting Bullying and Harassment Behavior Bullying/Harassment should be reported immediately Written report may be made to any staff member Teachers/other staff members are required to promptly notify the principal/principal designee Bullying/Harassment Complaint Form

Reporting Bullying and Harassment Behavior Principal/principal designee must accept and investigate all reports of bullying and harassment Principal/principal designee must notify parents/guardian of the complainant and individual(s) against whom the complaint was filed prior to the investigation taking place Investigation must be completed within five (5) business days of receiving notice of complaint Principal/principal designee must make a written report to the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support upon completion of the investigation.

Consequences for Bullying or Harassment Behavior School administration must determine appropriate Consequences – disciplinary actions Remedial Measures – corrective measures

Consequences for Bullying or Harassment Behavior Consequences (disciplinary actions): Shall be unique to the individual incident Will vary in method and severity according to: the nature of the behavior the developmental age of the student the student’s history of problem behaviors and performance must be consistent with the Code of Student Behavior

Consequences for Bullying or Harassment Behavior Examples of Consequences Admonishment/parent conference Temporary removal from the classroom/isolation Loss of privileges Classroom or administrative detention/after school detention Referral to disciplinarian In-school suspension Out-of-school suspension, not to exceed five days Due process hearing

Consequences for Bullying or Harassment Behavior Remedial Measures (corrective measures) shall be designed to: Correct the problem behavior Prevent another occurrence Protect the victim of the act

Consequences for Bullying or Harassment Behavior Examples of Remedial Measures (Personal) Peer Support Group Corrective instruction or other relevant learning or service experience Supportive discipline Supportive intervention (such as peer mediation) Behavioral assessment or evaluation Behavior management plan Appropriate therapeutic services

Consequences for Bullying or Harassment Behavior Examples of Remedial Measures (Environmental) Adoption of research-based, systematic bullying prevention programs (“Too Good for Violence”) School culture change School climate improvement Modifications of schedules Adjustments in hallway traffic Modifications in student routes or patterns traveling to and from school Targeted use of monitors (e.g., hallways, cafeteria, bus) Professional development for staff Involvement of community-based organizations