HPS Anti-Bullying Policy

MISSION STATEMENT

HAVERHILL PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Haverhill Public Schools strives to create a safe and respectful learning atmosphere for not only its students but also the faculty and community. Therefore, we, in accord with The Massachusetts Bullying Prevention and Intervention Law, will not tolerate unlawful, disruptive behavior or any form of bullying. HPS believes that the target’s sense of safety and security is necessary for learning and productivity, and therefore all reports and complaints will be addressed with prompt action. We recognize that certain students may be more vulnerable to become targets of bullying, harassment, or teasing based on actual or perceived characteristics, including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, socioeconomic, status, homelessness, academic status, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, or sensory, disability, or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics. The school or district will create a safe, supportive environment for vulnerable populations in the school community, and provide all students with the skills, knowledge, and strategies to prevent or respond to bullying, harassment, or teasing.

LEADERSHIP

Advisory Committee

A committee comprised of representatives from teachers, staff, local law enforcement agencies, students and community members will review and revise the plan. The committee will also make recommendations regarding policy to the School Committee as necessary and provide oversight to the implementation of the plan.

District Leadership – are responsible for:

• Planning ongoing professional development in bullying prevention and intervention
• Review appropriate curricula
• Review annual district data on bullying incidents

School Leadership

The principal or assistant principal(s) of each school is responsible for:

• Receiving reports of alleged bullying and investigating
• Collecting and analyzing reports
• Developing a process for tracking aggressors and targets
• Providing support for the needs of the targets and aggressors
• Ensuring the implementation of bullying-prevention curriculum
• Including student-specific language regarding the bullying plan in student and staff handbooks