Brookwood School It Starts Here.

Brookwood School
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
December, 2010 [pdf format for download]

I. Introduction

At Brookwood, as outlined in our Code of Ethics and Statement of Commitment, we expect that all members of our school community will treat each other with respect and civility. It is the intent of the School to provide and maintain a learning environment that is free of bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation.

The Brookwood School Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan below is published in response to the recently enacted Massachusetts anti-bullying law and is an integral part of our efforts to prevent behavior that can impede the learning process. Our Plan spells out Brookwood’s comprehensive approach to addressing bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation.

This Plan is consistent with broader protections at Brookwood against discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation that appear in our Handbook for Families and in our Handbook for Faculty and Staff.

It is important that this Plan be well understood by all members of the Brookwood community. The Head of School is responsible for its implementation and administration, and questions and concerns related to this Plan may be referred to the Head of School, the Assistant Head, or to one of the school’s Division Heads.

II. Policy against Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, and Retaliation

The School will not tolerate any form of bullying or cyber-bullying, nor will we tolerate retaliation against any person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying.

Bullying and cyber-bullying are prohibited on school grounds and at school-sponsored events, activities, functions, and programs. Bullying and cyber- bullying also are prohibited at school bus stops, on school buses and other vehicles owned, leased, or used by the school, and through use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased, or used by the school.

In addition, bullying and cyber-bullying are prohibited at any location, activity, function, or program that is not school-related or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the school, if the bullying creates a hostile environment at school for a targeted
student; infringes on the rights of a targeted student at school; or materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of the school.

Definitions under the Law. The following definitions are drawn from the Massachusetts law against bullying:

Bullying. Bullying is defined as 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 targeted student or damage to the victim’s property;
• places the victim in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her property;
• creates a hostile environment at school for the victim;
• infringes on the rights of the victim at school; or
• materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of the school.

Cyber-bullying. “Cyber-bullying” is defined as 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, electromagnetic, 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 (i) the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or (ii) the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in clauses (i) to (v), inclusive, of 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 clauses (i) to (v), inclusive, of the definition of bullying.

Hostile Environment. A hostile environment is a situation in which bullying in any form causes the school environment to be permeated with intimidation, ridicule, or insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of a student’s education.

Retaliation. Retaliation is any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment directed against a student who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying.

Legal Definitions and School Policy. It is important to remember that Brookwood may have to impose stricter standards of behavior in order that we may prevent inappropriate verbal and physical conduct before a student has been subject to bullying as it is defined under the law. For example, although the law defines bullying as “repeated use” of certain expressions, acts, and/or gestures, the School reserves the right to apply disciplinary measures and other corrective action in a case of a single expression, act or gesture, if the School determines that it is of sufficient severity to warrant disciplinary measures or other remedial action or that the repetition of that expression, act, or gesture might reasonably result in bullying as defined under the law.

III. Prevention of Bullying and Cyber-bullying

From the earliest grades at Brookwood, students learn that as members of our community they have a right to be treated with civility and respect. Our curriculum emphasizes respect for differences, and teachers are clear in their expectations for student behavior. When necessary, parents are notified and
asked to reinforce standards for membership in the Brookwood community. In Grades 6-8, the school’s Code of Ethics is reviewed with students each fall when they also review carefully and sign a copy of our “Statement of Commitment.” Both documents are also explicitly reviewed in Grades 4-5, and the tenets underlying those documents are reviewed in Grades PK-3 in developmentally appropriate terms, after which the tenets are crafted by students and teacher into analogous Classroom Contracts. Finally, both documents are shared annually with parents through The Handbook for Families. This Handbook includes multiple explicit policies regarding the acceptable use of technology at Brookwood, including an Acceptable Use Policy that contains specific expectations for the ethical use of computers and the Internet by Brookwood students.  Our extensive Technology curriculum includes acceptable use tenets along with safe practice in its content, and our students in Grades 4-8 meet multiple times through the year with the Technology Director and advisors to ensure that they are well informed about what is expected of them and to reinforce positive conduct on the Internet.

At the heart of all faculty efforts during every school day-- in classes, advisory, PGD, lunch table conversations, and in the emphasis on respect and sportsmanship in our Athletic Program -- lies a focus on developing empathetic and respectful behavior in our students. The development, understanding, and practice of civility, as well as the explicit teaching of social and cultural competency skills, are explicit focal points of our Personal Growth and Development Program and of our entire community. Our PK-8 Buddy Program emphasizes both working with each other and being responsible for others. PGD classes include examination of the dynamics of peer relationships, and our Student Leadership Groups and Upper School Social Studies classes examine the role of “bystander” and the importance of taking action if students feel targeted or if they witness other students engaging in bullying or other unacceptable behavior.

The administration and faculty recognize that it is essential that expectations for responsible student conduct extend to corridors, locker rooms, lunch, recess, carpool, buses and the like. Given that, the School strives to ensure that appropriate adult supervision is provided on School premises, including in the corridors and locker rooms, at lunch and at recess, and on School-related transportation throughout the school day as well as at School-sponsored events.

Toward all these ends, we have our faculty review this policy annually, and they receive different forms of related training every year.

IV. Reports of Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, or Retaliation

Any student who is the target of bullying or cyber-bullying or has witnessed an incident of bullying or cyber-bullying or otherwise has relevant information about bullying or cyber-bullying prohibited by this policy is strongly encouraged to promptly report the matter orally or in writing to the Head of School, Assistant Head, a Division Head, or to any other faculty or staff member with whom the student is comfortable speaking. Also, any student who is subject to retaliation in violation of this policy or who knows of another student who has been subject to retaliation is urged to report it as soon as possible.
       
A parent of a student who is the target of bullying or cyber-bullying or of a student who has witnessed or otherwise has relevant information about bullying or cyber-bullying is strongly urged to promptly notify the Head of School, Assistant Head, or a Division Head. Furthermore, any parent who has him or herself witnessed bullying or cyber-bullying or has relevant information concerning such an incident is strongly urged to come forward to the Head of School, Assistant Head, or a Division Head. A parent should also report any incident of retaliation in violation of this policy to the Head of School or a Division Head.

Anonymous reports of bullying, cyber-bullying or retaliation may be delivered in writing to the Head of School, Assistant Head, or a Division Head.  Nevertheless, the School urges students and their parents not to make reports anonymously. Although there are circumstances in which an anonymous report can be better than none at all, it is far more difficult to determine the facts of what occurred if complaints are made anonymously. Students and parents are encouraged to bear in mind that the School takes its policy against retaliation seriously. Also, while the School cannot promise strict confidentiality, because information must be shared in order to conduct an effective investigation, the School releases information concerning complaints of bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation only on a legitimate, need-to-know basis.

Reports must be made in good faith.  A student who knowingly makes a false accusation of bullying, cyber-bullying or retaliation shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the School.

Any member of the faculty or staff of the School who witnesses or otherwise becomes aware of bullying or cyber-bullying in violation of this policy or who becomes aware of retaliation against a student who reported information concerning a violation of this policy is required to report it immediately to the Head of School, Assistant Head, or one of the Division Heads. There are to be no exceptions. A member of the faculty or staff may not make promises of confidentiality to a student or parent who informs him/her of an allegation of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation.  Faculty and staff may not make reports under this policy anonymously.

V. Responding to a Report of Bullying, Cyber-bullying, or Retaliation

A. Preliminary Considerations. When a complaint of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation is brought to the attention of the Head of School, Assistant Head, or a Division Head, an assessment is made as to whether any initial steps need to be taken to protect the well-being of students and to prevent disruption of their learning environment while the investigation is being conducted. As appropriate, strategies such as increased supervision may be implemented to prevent further bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation during an investigation.

B. Obligation to Notify Parents. It is the policy of the School to notify promptly after a complaint has been made both the parents of any student who is an alleged target of bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation and the parents of any student who may have been accused of engaging in such behavior.

C. Investigation. The following is an outline of the procedure that is pursued once a complaint has been brought to the attention of the Head of School, Assistant Head, or one of the Division Heads:

An impartial investigation of the complaint is conducted by the Head of School, Assistant Head, or the Division Head. That investigation may include (but will not necessarily be limited to) interviews with the person who made the complaint, with the student who was the target of the alleged bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation, with the person or persons against whom the complaint was made, and with any students, faculty, staff or other persons who witnessed or who may otherwise have relevant information about the alleged bullying, cyber-bullying, or retaliation. Depending on the circumstances, the Head of School and/or Assistant Head and Division Head conducting the investigation also may choose to consult with other teachers, the School's legal counsel, and/or the School Psychologist.

D. Resolution, Notification, and Follow-up. Following interviews and any other investigation undertaken, as the School deems appropriate, the Head of School and/or Assistant Head together with the Division Head will determine whether and to what extent the allegation of bullying, cyber-bulling, or retaliation has been substantiated. If it is determined that the policy outlined in this Plan has been violated, the Head of School together with the Discipline Committee (comprised of Assistant Head, Division Head, advisor or homeroom teacher, and, depending on the circumstances, another closely involved faculty member) will determine what disciplinary action and/or other remedial action is appropriate and how it will be implemented.

The goal of an investigation and any disciplinary or other remedial process is to take prompt, reasonable steps to correct the situation, to prevent a repetition of the incident, and to prevent retaliation against the targeted student or students and others who participated in the investigation.  As an elementary school, Brookwood also includes in its objectives the intent to educate the parties involved.

In appropriate circumstances, such as when a crime may have been committed, law enforcement or another appropriate government agency will be notified immediately.

Upon completion of the investigation, the Head of School with the Assistant Head or Division Head involved in the investigation will meet individually with the student or students who were the target of the alleged incident and with the student or students against whom the complaint was made and their parents to report the results of the investigation and, where disciplinary or other corrective action is determined to be appropriate, to inform the parties of the steps that will be taken to correct the situation. There exists a range of possible disciplinary responses and safeguards designed to “restore a sense of safety” to the victim in such cases; specific responses will be determined by the individual situation and circumstances thereof. The amount of information provided in these meetings may be limited by the confidentiality laws protecting student records.     

Follow-up contacts will be made with any student found to have been targeted in violation of this policy and his/her parents to determine whether further action is warranted.

If an incident of bullying, cyber-bullying or retaliation involves a student from another school, Brookwood shall promptly notify the appropriate administrator at the other school for the purpose of responding to the incident.

VI. Conclusion

This Plan is intended to (1) prevent bullying and cyber-bullying among our students; (2) encourage students and their parents to have confidence in the School’s procedures and to come forward promptly whenever a student is subject to conduct that is prohibited by this or any other School policy; and (3) implement appropriate discipline and other corrective actions that may be followed when warranted.