Bullying and Cyber-Bullying

St. Aloysius strives to provide a safe environment for all individuals. Verbal or written threats made against the physical or emotional well-being of any individual are taken very seriously. Any behavior deemed by the school administration to be considered as bullying shall result in disciplinary actions, which may include suspension or expulsion from school. Parents will be notified and a meeting scheduled for any reported bullying related incidents. Consequences will be progressive and will be aligned to the offense.

Bullying is defined as any overt action by a student or group of students directed against another student with the intent to ridicule, humiliate, or intimidate the other student while on school grounds or at a school sponsored activity. These acts are repeated against the same student over time. Bullying includes intimidation or assault; extortion; oral, written or electronic threats; teasing; ‘putdowns’, name-calling; threatening looks, gestures or actions; cruel rumors; false accusation; and social isolation. Parents of the person reporting being bullied will be notified that the issue has been addressed, but will not be notified of what the outcome and/or consequence was per individual privacy rights.

Please have a conversation with your child about our Bullying Policy.

The bullying policy of St. Aloysius Catholic School is based on Roman Catholic principles and ideals, and recognizes the dignity and worth of each student. We encourage compassionate behavior between students and all others. When it is necessary to use corrective measures, the action taken is to be based on an understanding of the student and the particulars of the situation as well as on school guidance procedures.

What is “Bullying”?
1. Name calling
2. Saying or writing nasty things about another person
3. Excluding others
4. Threatening others
5. Making others feel uncomfortable or scared
6. Taking or damaging another’s belongings
7. Hitting, kicking, or pushing of any form
8. Making others do things they do not want to do


Some people think bullying is just part of growing up and a way for young people to learn to stick up for themselves. However, bullying can make young people feel lonely, unhappy and frightened. It makes them feel unsafe and think something must be wrong with them. They lose confidence and may not want to go to school any more. It may even make them feel sick.

What will happen if a Charge of Bullying is made?
• There will be a prompt investigation by the teacher and/or the administration based on the seriousness of the allegation.
• Appropriate discipline of the student(s) shall occur if the allegation is found to be valid as determined by the teacher and/or administration.

Consequences for Bullying
St. Aloysius Catholic School will impose consequences for students who are determined by the teacher and/or administration as having bullied another student. Our progressive discipline regime is intended to deter future bullying and encourage compassionate behavior towards others.

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Plan, the following definitions shall apply:
Aggressor is a student who engages in bullying, cyber-bullying or retaliation.
Bullying is the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at a Target that:
causes physical or emotional harm to the Target or damage to the Target’s property;
places the Target in reasonable fear of harm to him/herself, or of damage to his/her property;
creates a hostile environment at school for the Target;
infringes on the rights of the Target at the school;
Materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of the school.

By way of example only, bullying may involve, but is not limited to:
unwanted teasing
threatening
intimidating
stalking
Cyber-Stalking
physical violence
theft
sexual, religious, racial or any other type of harassment
public humiliation
destruction of School or personal property
social exclusion, including incitement and/or coercion
rumor or spreading of falsehoods

For the purpose of this Plan, whenever the term “Bullying” is used it is to denote either Bullying or Cyber-Bullying (as defined below).

Cyber-Bullying means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a:
wire
radio
electromagnetics
photo-electronic or photo-optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications.

Cyber-Bullying shall also include the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or knowingly impersonates another person as author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of Bullying.

Cyber-Bullying shall also include the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of Bullying.

The following form may be found oun page 21 of the Student Handbook

St. Aloysius Catholic School
HARASSMENT INCIDENT REPORT FORM

Date of Report _____________ Time of Incident______________

Type of Incident (circle all that apply):

Harassment / Bullying Cyber Bullying
Retaliation Other

Person reporting incident (circle one):
Student / Teacher / Parent / Counselor / Nurse / Support Staff / Other

Name(s) of Target
______________________________________________ Grade _________
______________________________________________ Grade _________

Name(s) of Alleged Aggressor(s)
______________________________________________ Grade _________
______________________________________________ Grade _________

Describe the incident that was reported or witnessed. Please be thorough and provide as much detail as possible. Please attach extra paper if necessary.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Name(s) of Witnesses (if any)
_____________________________________________ Grade _________
_____________________________________________ Grade _________

Physical Evidence (if any)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Action(s) Taken (To be completed by the office)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________