The Beverly Institute
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy
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The Beverly Institute is committed to a safe and civil educational environment
for all students, employees, volunteer and patrons, free from harassment,
intimidation or bullying.
Definitions
Bullying includes aggressive or hostile behavior that is intentional and involves an
imbalance of power between the bully and the bullied. It is typically repeated
over time. Bullying takes many forms, including, but not limited to, physical or
verbal assaults, nonverbal or emotional threats or intimidation, social exclusion
and isolation, extortion, and the use of a computer or telecommunications to send
embarrassing, slanderous, threatening, or intimidating messages.
Bullying is a form of victimization and is not necessarily a result of or part of an
ongoing conflict. Bullying can also be characterized by teasing, put-downs, name-
calling, cruel rumors, false accusations, and hazing.
for all students, employees, volunteer and patrons, free from harassment,
intimidation or bullying.
- Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or
- Is severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or
threatening educational environment; or - Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Definitions
Bullying includes aggressive or hostile behavior that is intentional and involves an
imbalance of power between the bully and the bullied. It is typically repeated
over time. Bullying takes many forms, including, but not limited to, physical or
verbal assaults, nonverbal or emotional threats or intimidation, social exclusion
and isolation, extortion, and the use of a computer or telecommunications to send
embarrassing, slanderous, threatening, or intimidating messages.
Bullying is a form of victimization and is not necessarily a result of or part of an
ongoing conflict. Bullying can also be characterized by teasing, put-downs, name-
calling, cruel rumors, false accusations, and hazing.
Prohibitions
Each of the following forms of bullying should be prohibited under a local policy:
Student-to-student behaviors characterized as bullying per the adopted definition, provided it takes
place at school, during a school-sponsored activity, on school buses, or through the use of school
equipment in the case of cyber-bullying. Additionally, a student bullying an adult staff member,
using the same criteria.
An adult school staff member bullying a student or another staff member.
Complaint Procedures
It is considered the responsibility of all students and school staff members to report acts of bullying
in any of the above-described situations to a member of the school staff or administration, as
designated by the policy to be a recipient of such reports.
All such reports are to be taken seriously by the party designated by the policy to receive the same.
The school staff or administrator will support students and coworkers making such reports and
protect against any potential retaliation for making such a report.
Students and staff making prompt, accurate, and thorough reports, either verbally or in writing, will
have those reports recorded by the staff receiving the same. An investigation to determine the facts
will take place immediately or as soon as practicable, in order to verify the validity and seriousness
of the report.
Filing a report in good faith will not reflect upon the individual’s status, nor will it affect his or her
grades or employment status by the district if the complainant is an adult staff member. The school
shall keep the complaint confidential for both the accused and the accuser, until such time as the
misconduct is confirmed and sanctions are imposed.
Sanctions and Support
Programs designed to prevent bullying behavior redirect students from continuing to bully and to
support both victims of bullies and the bullies themselves should be explored. These programs take
many forms and include classroom activities and instruction.
Where it is determined that students participated in bullying behavior in violation of the policy, the
school district staff responsible for maintaining order and discipline may take disciplinary action
including suspension, expulsion, and referral to law enforcement officials for possible legal action.
Employees found to have participated in bullying behavior, or having become aware that bullying
was taking place and failed to report the behavior, are considered to be in violation of the
prohibition expressed by the policy. They may be subject to disciplinary action consistent with the
collective bargaining agreement or disciplinary action established by policy or practice.
Consequences
Bullying will be taken very seriously. Students should refrain from Bullying/ threatening other
students, school personnel and making random threats. Each situation will be investigated and
students found guilty will receive a suspension with the possibility of an expulsion. All cases will be
reported to the authorities for prosecution. Any student witnessing or being threatened should
report it to the principals or school police officer immediately. No threat should be considered
harmless. All threats will be taken extremely seriously.
Each of the following forms of bullying should be prohibited under a local policy:
Student-to-student behaviors characterized as bullying per the adopted definition, provided it takes
place at school, during a school-sponsored activity, on school buses, or through the use of school
equipment in the case of cyber-bullying. Additionally, a student bullying an adult staff member,
using the same criteria.
An adult school staff member bullying a student or another staff member.
Complaint Procedures
It is considered the responsibility of all students and school staff members to report acts of bullying
in any of the above-described situations to a member of the school staff or administration, as
designated by the policy to be a recipient of such reports.
All such reports are to be taken seriously by the party designated by the policy to receive the same.
The school staff or administrator will support students and coworkers making such reports and
protect against any potential retaliation for making such a report.
Students and staff making prompt, accurate, and thorough reports, either verbally or in writing, will
have those reports recorded by the staff receiving the same. An investigation to determine the facts
will take place immediately or as soon as practicable, in order to verify the validity and seriousness
of the report.
Filing a report in good faith will not reflect upon the individual’s status, nor will it affect his or her
grades or employment status by the district if the complainant is an adult staff member. The school
shall keep the complaint confidential for both the accused and the accuser, until such time as the
misconduct is confirmed and sanctions are imposed.
Sanctions and Support
Programs designed to prevent bullying behavior redirect students from continuing to bully and to
support both victims of bullies and the bullies themselves should be explored. These programs take
many forms and include classroom activities and instruction.
Where it is determined that students participated in bullying behavior in violation of the policy, the
school district staff responsible for maintaining order and discipline may take disciplinary action
including suspension, expulsion, and referral to law enforcement officials for possible legal action.
Employees found to have participated in bullying behavior, or having become aware that bullying
was taking place and failed to report the behavior, are considered to be in violation of the
prohibition expressed by the policy. They may be subject to disciplinary action consistent with the
collective bargaining agreement or disciplinary action established by policy or practice.
Consequences
Bullying will be taken very seriously. Students should refrain from Bullying/ threatening other
students, school personnel and making random threats. Each situation will be investigated and
students found guilty will receive a suspension with the possibility of an expulsion. All cases will be
reported to the authorities for prosecution. Any student witnessing or being threatened should
report it to the principals or school police officer immediately. No threat should be considered
harmless. All threats will be taken extremely seriously.