Anti-Bullying Policy
Holy Family Day Nursery School
In any school environment, there will be times when students do not get along. In most cases bullying occurs because an individual lacks the self-discipline skills needed to get along in a group. This policy applies to all students, parents, staff, and adults on our campus. Any form of bullying directed toward any member of our school will not be tolerated.
Definition of Bullying
"Bullying" is a repeated act by one or more students/non-student or adult that:
- causes physical or emotional harm to the person(s) or property;
- places the person(s) in reasonable fear of harm to him/herself, or of damage to his/her property;
- creates an aggressive environment at school;
- violates the rights of a person(s) at the school;
- materially and significantly disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of the school.
Types of Bullying Behavior
Bullying may involve, but is not limited to: unwanted teasing, threatening, intimidating, stalking, cyber-bullying, physical violence, theft, harassment (sexual, racial, religious, etc.), public humiliation, destruction of property, social exclusion (provocation and/or oppression), rumor or spreading of falsehoods.
Student Response Protocol
If a student feels that he/she is being bullied, he/she should follow these three steps:
1. Tell the person doing the bullying to stop. Clearly state, "I don't like what you are doing (saying), please stop" or report the incident to the teacher.
2. If the behavior is repeated on another occasion, again, tell the person doing the bullying to stop. Clearly state, "I don't like what you are doing (saying) to me. Please stop" and report the incident to the teacher.
3. The next time the same student bullies you, report the incident to the teacher or adult supervisor.
Teacher and Staff Response
Teachers and assistants will follow these steps:
1. Incidents of repeated bullying or harassment will be addressed by the teacher with the students and parents.
2. Repeated incidents of this behavior will not be tolerated.
Administration reserves the right to take any disciplinary actions as they deem appropriate, which may include conferencing, suspension and/or expulsion from Holy Family Day Nursery School.
Reporting Procedures
All members of Holy Family Day Nursery School have the right and responsibility to report incidents of concern regarding negative social behaviors and bullying. School administration and teachers are not always present to witness incidents or areas of concern, and therefore can only intervene when they are informed about them.
Student Reports:
Students are encouraged to report bullying concerns to their classroom teacher or another school staff member.
Parent Reports:
Parents are also encouraged to report directly to staff or administration their concerns about any bullying behaviors. Parent reports can be made by way of a verbal or written report, or by completing a Bullying Complaint Report.
Staff Reports:
Teachers and Staff will report to the school administration all bullying concerns and incidents that come to their attention through either direct observation or reports from others. All reports that teachers share with the administration will be documented on a Bullying Complaint Report form.
Administration Reports:
School Administration can also initiate a process to address an observed concern or incident. Depending on the concern, their report may be shared with the classroom teacher of the student(s) involved. All administration-initiated reports will be documented on a Bullying Complaint Report form.
Anonymous Reports: Reports may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action will not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report. All completed reports can be dropped in the locked in-school mailbox on the school office door.
Record Keeping: School Administration will maintain records of all reports filed during the school year.
Holy Family Day Nursery School prohibits any person from falsely accusing another person of bullying or harassment.
Obligations of Notification
Notice to Parents or Guardians:
Upon determining that bullying or retaliation has occurred, the Principal or designee will promptly notify the parents or guardians of the person(s) and the accused of this, and of the procedures for responding to it. There may be circumstances in which the Principal or designee contacts parents or guardians prior to any investigation.
Notice to Law Enforcement:
If the Principal or designee has a reasonable basis to believe that criminal charges may be pursued against the accused, the Principal will notify the Nutley Police Department.
Intervention Procedures and Investigation
Intervention:
All reports of bullying concerns will be handled seriously and promptly by the faculty and administration. Upon review and investigation of a report, some concerns will be addressed within the classroom by the teacher, while more serious and repeated concerns will be referred to the administration for further intervention. Appropriate confidentiality will be maintained in order to protect all of the individuals involved in the matter.
Investigation Process:
During the investigation the Principal or designee will, among other things, interview students, staff, witnesses, parents or guardians, and others as necessary. The Principal or designee (or whoever is conducting the investigation) will remind the alleged assailant(s), victim(s) and witnesses that retaliation is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.
Determinations and Follow-up
The Principal or designee will make a determination based upon all of the facts and circumstances. If, after investigation, bullying or retaliation is substantiated, the Principal or designee will take the necessary steps to prevent recurrence and to ensure that the victim is not restricted in participating in school or school activities.
The Principal or designee will determine the appropriate disciplinary response, which may include expulsion. Consideration will be given to factors such as age and maturity, degree of harm/severity, circumstances and context, past pattern of behavior.
The Principal or designee will promptly notify the parents or guardians of the victim and the assailant about the results of the investigation and, if bullying or retaliation is found, what action is being taken to prevent further acts of bullying or retaliation.
Prevention and Education
The school will provide ongoing and age-appropriate anti-bullying and social skills education for all students, as well as education for staff on these same topics, in order to promote the prevention of bullying behaviors within our school environment.