1. Sutton Public Schools Anti-Bullying Law Overview

2. Preparing for the Bullying Prevention Law
The following information comes directly from the Office of the Attorney General and The Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC).

3. Components of the Anti-Bullying Law
Legislation
Definition of Bullying
Tools to enforce Anti-bullying
Current Laws and Implications
Required Elements of a Bully Prevention and Intervention Plan
Your role as a staff member
What you can and cannot discuss with parents
What we are already doing here in Sutton
Questions

4. Legislation Defines bullying and cyber bullying
Reaches off-campus conduct
Requires curricula and policies
Reporting to principals
Procedures for investigating reports
Reporting to law enforcement if criminal
Does not create any new crimes

5. Bullying Defined Repeated conduct Physical or emotional harm or
Damage to victim’s property
Hostile environment at school for victim;
Infringes on the rights
Materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school

6. Off-Campus Conduct Extends beyond school grounds if it:
Creates a hostile environment at school for victim or
Materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school

7. Tools School Disciplinary Code and Policy Criminal Statutes
MOA (Memorandum of Agreement)
SRO (School Resource Officer)
Local Law Enforcement

8. Criminal Harassment G.L. c. 265, s. 43A
Willfully and maliciously
Pattern of conduct or series directed at a specific person
Seriously alarms that person and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress
Includes acts committed by mail, telephone, telephonic device, and internet

9. Threats G.L. c. 275, s. 2 Threats to commit a crime
Against the person or property of another
Need expression of intention and an ability to do so in circumstances that justify apprehension on the part of the recipient

10. Stalking Willfully and maliciously
Engages in a knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a period of time directed at a specific person
Seriously alarms or annoys that person and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress
Makes a threat with intent to place a person in imminent fear of death or bodily injury

11. Assault G.L. c. 265, s. 13A
Act of placing another in reasonable fear that force may be used

12. Assault and Battery Basics By means of a Dangerous Weapon
For the purpose of Intimidation

13. Additional Laws and Implications
Hazing
Annoying Telephone Calls
Identity Fraud
Disturbance of School or Assembly

14. Destruction of School or Educational Facility
Willfully and intentionally destroys, defaces, mars or injures a school, educational facility or community center

15. Required Elements of the Bully Prevention and Intervention Plan Include:
Descriptions of and statements prohibiting bullying, cyber-bullying and retaliation
Clear procedures for students, staff, parents, guardians and others to report bullying or retaliation
Provision for anonymous reporting
Clear procedures for responding to and investigating reports of bullying or retaliation
The range of disciplinary actions that may be taken
Balance accountability and the need to teach appropriate behavior

16. Required Elements of the Bully Prevention and Intervention Plan Include:
Clear procedures for restoring a sense of safety for the victim
Strategies for protecting from bullying or retaliation
Procedures consistent with state and federal law for notifying parents or guardians of a victim or perpetrator
A provision that a student that makes a false accusation shall be subject to disciplinary action
A strategy for providing counseling or referral to appropriate services for victims and perpetrators and for family members of students

17. In the Event of a Bullying or Retaliation Situation
Report it to your building principal, they will determine the next steps.
If you are not certain the situation is bullying or retaliation report it anyway.

18. What You Can Tell Parents In A Bullying or Retaliation Situation
Specific disciplinary procedures that are defined in school policy or administrative procedures, and whether or not you intend to follow that policy in this case
Any actions the school is taking that affect their child (e.g., moving the child to another classroom)
The fact that they have been in communication with the parents or guardians of other children
Any actions the school is taking which affect the children generally but which may impact the incident(s) in question (e.g., placing an adult monitor in a spot which has been identified as one where bullying occurs)

19. What You Can Tell Parents In A Bullying or Retaliation Situation (continued)
Previous incident(s) in which their child had some involvement, without naming other children
Measures you might use to help parents help their child (e.g.,practicing your child’s response to a bully;“checking in” daily with your child’s teacher; getting important information from your child)
Any reports or referrals made to law enforcement regarding the incident(s)in question

20. What You CANNOT Tell A Parent in A Bullying or Retaliation Situation
Specific disciplinary procedures instituted against any child except their own
Any actions the school is taking that specifically affect a child other than their own(e.g., moving another child to a different
The content of any communications with another child’s parents or guardians
Any contract or agreement with a child who is not their own, or with the parents of that child

21. What You CANNOT Tell A Parent in A Bullying or Retaliation Situation (continued)
The names or identification of other children involved in previous incident(s)in which their child had some involvement, for which there is a record
Measures other parents are taking to help their child(e.g., parents putting another child in therapy)
Previous or past behaviors or behavior problems of any child other than their own child

22. Anti-Bullying In Sutton
Safety, Respect, Responsibility
Second Step
Steps to Respect
RADD Kids
Kaleidoscope Theater
Bully Reporting
School Website
Parent Coffees

23. For More Information… Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education