Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
I. Introduction
At Commonwealth School, we expect that all members of our community will treat each other with civility and respect.
Commonwealth aims to be a school that is free of bullying and any other verbal or physical misconduct that disrupts any student’s learning or undermines anyone’s sense of safety. Commonwealth School’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, set forth below, is published in response to the Massachusetts law against bullying and is an integral part of our efforts to promote learning and to prevent behavior that can impede the learning process. Our Plan spells out Commonwealth School’s comprehensive approach to addressing bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation.
This Plan is consistent with broader protections at Commonwealth against discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation that appear in our Parent-Student Handbook and our Employee Handbook. It is important that this Plan be well understood by all members of the Commonwealth community. The Head of School is responsible for the implementation and administration of the Plan. Questions and concerns related to this Plan may be referred to the Head of School, to the Assistant Head of School, to the Dean of Students, or to the Director of DEI.
II. Policy Against Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Retaliation
The School will not tolerate any form of bullying or cyberbullying, nor will we tolerate retaliation against any person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying or cyberbullying.
Bullying and cyberbullying are prohibited on school grounds and at school-sponsored events, activities, functions, and programs. Bullying and cyberbullying also are prohibited on buses and other vehicles owned, leased, or used by the School, and through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased, or used by the School.
In addition, bullying and cyberbullying are prohibited at a 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.
The School recognizes that certain students may be more vulnerable to becoming a target of bullying or harassment based on actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, socioeconomic status, homelessness, academic status, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, pregnant or parenting status, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics. The School has policies that prohibit harassment based on such characteristics but reiterates that bullying or cyberbullying based on such characteristics is explicitly prohibited.
III. 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 targeted student’s property;
- Places the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to oneself or of damage to their property;
- Creates a hostile environment at school for the targeted student;
- Infringes on the rights of the targeted student at school; or
- Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of the School.
Cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of technology or electronic devices such as telephones, cell phones, computers, fax machines, and the Internet. It includes, but is not limited to, email, instant messages, text messages, and Internet postings, whether on a webpage, in a blog, through social media outlets, or otherwise and specifically includes instances where a person impersonates another as the author of any electronic communication or document, where the content creates any of the “bullying” conditions described above. Cyberbullying also includes 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 “bullying” conditions described above.
Hostile Environment. A hostile environment is a situation in which bullying 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.
Perpetrator. A student or a member of school staff, including, but not limited to, an educator, administrator, school nurse, dining hall worker, custodian, bus driver, athletic coach, advisor, or paraprofessional who engages in bullying or retaliation.
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.
Victim. A student against whom bullying or retaliation has been perpetrated.
IV. Legal Definitions and School Policy
It is important to bear in mind that stricter standards of behavior may apply under Commonwealth School’s policies in order that we may prevent and address 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 (especially with respect to cyberbullying), 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. Any changes in the definition of terms do not expand a victim’s rights under the law.
V. Prevention of Bullying and Cyberbullying
At Commonwealth, students learn that as members of our community they have a right to be treated with civility and respect. Our school culture emphasizes respect for differences, including those associated with the protected characteristics described in Section II of this Plan. Teachers are clear in their expectations for student behavior. Parents are asked to reinforce standards for membership in the Commonwealth community. Each fall, the Parent-Student Handbook is distributed to families and discipline policies are reviewed with students. This Handbook includes explicit policies around the acceptable use of technology at Commonwealth, and prohibitions against bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and hazing, how to report such misconduct, and procedures for maintaining student safety while investigating such allegations.
An annual “discipline assembly,” daily announcements, and class meetings include presentations designed to make sure that students are well informed about what is expected of them and to reinforce positive conduct.
Health and Community classes, taken by all ninth graders, include discussion of peer relationships and empower students to take action if they 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 student conduct extend to every part of the school building, all off-campus school activities, and to cyberspace.
VI. Reports of Bullying, Cyberbullying, or Retaliation
Any student who is the target of bullying or cyberbullying or has witnessed an incident of bullying or cyberbullying or otherwise has relevant information about bullying or cyberbullying is strongly encouraged to promptly report the matter orally or in writing to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, Director of DEI, 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. An advisor or other staff member who learns of such conduct is expected to report the incident immediately to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI (as detailed further below).
A parent of a student who is the target of bullying or cyberbullying or of a student who has witnessed or otherwise has relevant information about bullying or cyberbullying is strongly urged to promptly notify the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI. Furthermore, any parent who has witnessed bullying or cyberbullying or has relevant information concerning such an incident is strongly urged to come forward to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI. A parent should also report any incident of retaliation in violation of this policy to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI.
Any member of the faculty or staff of the School who witnesses or otherwise becomes aware of bullying or cyberbullying or who becomes aware of retaliation against a student who reported such misconduct is required to report it immediately to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI. There are to be no exceptions.
Upon receiving a complaint of bullying or cyberbullying from a student, parent, or member of the faculty or staff, the Head of School, after consultation with the Assistant Head and Dean of Students, may refer the issue to the Discipline Committee for resolution according to the Discipline section of this Handbook. Alternatively, the Head of School may appoint an outside investigator.
Faculty and staff may not make reports under this policy anonymously. The School also 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, and no disciplinary action shall be taken against a student based solely on an anonymous report. Additionally, false reports of bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation are prohibited and may subject the reporter to discipline.
Students and parents are encouraged to bear in mind that the School takes seriously its policy against retaliation against anyone reporting or involved in an investigation of bullying or cyberbullying and will investigate such allegations as described below.
VII. Responding to a Report of Bullying, Cyberbullying, or Retaliation
A. Preliminary Considerations. When a complaint of bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation is brought to the attention of the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI, 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, cyberbullying, or retaliation during an investigation.
B. Obligation to Notify Parents. It is the policy of the School to notify the parents of any student who is an alleged victim and the parents of any student who may have been accused of engaging in such behavior promptly after a complaint has been made.
C. Investigation. An impartial investigation of the complaint is conducted by the Discipline Committee, or a party designated by the Head of School, including the use of an outside resource. That investigation may include (but will not necessarily be limited to) interviews with the person who made the complaint, with the alleged victim, 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 incident. Depending on the circumstances, the Discipline Committee, or the designated investigator may choose to consult with other teachers and/or the School Counselor. While the School cannot promise strict confidentiality because information must be shared in order to conduct an effective investigation, the School shares information concerning complaints of bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation only on a legitimate, need-to-know basis.
D. Resolution, Notification, and Follow-up. Following interviews and any other investigation undertaken, as the School deems appropriate, the Discipline Committee or designated investigator will determine whether and to what extent the allegation of bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation has been substantiated. If it is determined that the policy set forth in this Plan has been violated, appropriate disciplinary action and/or other remedial action will be determined and implemented in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Discipline section of this Handbook.
The goal of an investigation and any disciplinary or other remedial process that is imposed following that investigation is to correct the situation to the extent it is reasonably possible, to take such steps as can be taken to prevent there being a repetition of the incident, and to prevent the victim(s) and others who participated in the investigation from being subject to retaliation.
In appropriate circumstances, such as when a crime may have been committed or a student may have been subject to abuse or neglect of the type that is reportable under Massachusetts laws, law enforcement or another appropriate government agency may be notified.
Upon completion of the investigation, the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI will communicate with the victim(s), 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, and to inform those involved of the steps that will be taken to correct the situation. Involved students (victims, perpetrators, and their family members) will also be provided with referrals to counseling resources, as deemed appropriate. The amount of information provided in these meetings may be limited by 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 inquire as to whether there have been any further incidents, and if so, appropriate, additional steps will be taken to curb the ongoing misconduct.
VIII. Conclusion
This Plan is intended (1) to prevent bullying and cyberbullying among our students, (2) to 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) to implement appropriate discipline and other corrective measures when they are found to be warranted.
I. Introduction
At Commonwealth School, we expect that all members of our community will treat each other with civility and respect.
Commonwealth aims to be a school that is free of bullying and any other verbal or physical misconduct that disrupts any student’s learning or undermines anyone’s sense of safety. Commonwealth School’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, set forth below, is published in response to the Massachusetts law against bullying and is an integral part of our efforts to promote learning and to prevent behavior that can impede the learning process. Our Plan spells out Commonwealth School’s comprehensive approach to addressing bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation.
This Plan is consistent with broader protections at Commonwealth against discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation that appear in our Parent-Student Handbook and our Employee Handbook. It is important that this Plan be well understood by all members of the Commonwealth community. The Head of School is responsible for the implementation and administration of the Plan. Questions and concerns related to this Plan may be referred to the Head of School, to the Assistant Head of School, to the Dean of Students, or to the Director of DEI.
II. Policy Against Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Retaliation
The School will not tolerate any form of bullying or cyberbullying, nor will we tolerate retaliation against any person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying or cyberbullying.
Bullying and cyberbullying are prohibited on school grounds and at school-sponsored events, activities, functions, and programs. Bullying and cyberbullying also are prohibited on buses and other vehicles owned, leased, or used by the School, and through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased, or used by the School.
In addition, bullying and cyberbullying are prohibited at a 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.
The School recognizes that certain students may be more vulnerable to becoming a target of bullying or harassment based on actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, socioeconomic status, homelessness, academic status, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, pregnant or parenting status, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics. The School has policies that prohibit harassment based on such characteristics but reiterates that bullying or cyberbullying based on such characteristics is explicitly prohibited.
III. 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 targeted student’s property;
- Places the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to oneself or of damage to their property;
- Creates a hostile environment at school for the targeted student;
- Infringes on the rights of the targeted student at school; or
- Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of the School.
Cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of technology or electronic devices such as telephones, cell phones, computers, fax machines, and the Internet. It includes, but is not limited to, email, instant messages, text messages, and Internet postings, whether on a webpage, in a blog, through social media outlets, or otherwise and specifically includes instances where a person impersonates another as the author of any electronic communication or document, where the content creates any of the “bullying” conditions described above. Cyberbullying also includes 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 “bullying” conditions described above.
Hostile Environment. A hostile environment is a situation in which bullying 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.
Perpetrator. A student or a member of school staff, including, but not limited to, an educator, administrator, school nurse, dining hall worker, custodian, bus driver, athletic coach, advisor, or paraprofessional who engages in bullying or retaliation.
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.
Victim. A student against whom bullying or retaliation has been perpetrated.
IV. Legal Definitions and School Policy
It is important to bear in mind that stricter standards of behavior may apply under Commonwealth School’s policies in order that we may prevent and address 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 (especially with respect to cyberbullying), 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. Any changes in the definition of terms do not expand a victim’s rights under the law.
V. Prevention of Bullying and Cyberbullying
At Commonwealth, students learn that as members of our community they have a right to be treated with civility and respect. Our school culture emphasizes respect for differences, including those associated with the protected characteristics described in Section II of this Plan. Teachers are instructed to be clear in their expectations for student behavior. Parents/guardians are asked to reinforce standards for membership in the Commonwealth community. Each fall, the Parent-Student Handbook is distributed to families, and discipline policies are reviewed with students. This Handbook includes explicit policies around the acceptable use of technology at Commonwealth; prohibitions against bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and hazing; how to report misconduct; and procedures for maintaining student safety while investigating such allegations.
Daily announcements and class meetings include presentations designed to make sure that students are well informed about what is expected of them and to reinforce positive conduct.
The Ninth-Grade Seminar includes discussion of peer relationships and empower students to take action if they 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 student conduct extend to every part of the school building, all off-campus school activities, and to cyberspace.
VI. Reports of Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Retaliation
Any student who is the target of bullying or cyberbullying or has witnessed an incident of bullying or cyberbullying or otherwise has relevant information about bullying or cyberbullying is strongly encouraged to promptly report the matter orally or in writing to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, Director of DEI, 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. An advisor or other staff member who learns of such conduct is expected to report the incident immediately to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI (as detailed further below).
A parent of a student who is the target of bullying or cyberbullying or of a student who has witnessed or otherwise has relevant information about bullying or cyberbullying is strongly urged to promptly notify the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI. Furthermore, any parent who has witnessed bullying or cyberbullying or has relevant information concerning such an incident is strongly urged to come forward to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI. A parent should also report any incident of retaliation in violation of this policy to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI.
Any member of the faculty or staff of the School who witnesses or otherwise becomes aware of bullying or cyberbullying or who becomes aware of retaliation against a student who reported such misconduct is required to report it immediately to the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI. There are to be no exceptions.
Upon receiving a complaint of bullying or cyberbullying from a student, parent, or member of the faculty or staff, the Head of School, after consultation with the Assistant Head and Dean of Students, may refer the issue to the Discipline Committee for resolution according to the Discipline section of this Handbook. Alternatively, the Head of School may appoint an outside investigator.
Faculty and staff may not make reports under this policy anonymously. The School also urges students and their parents/guardians 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, and no disciplinary action shall be taken against a student based solely on an anonymous report. Additionally, false reports of bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation are prohibited and may subject the reporter to discipline.
Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to bear in mind that the School takes seriously its policy against retaliation against anyone reporting or involved in an investigation of bullying or cyberbullying and will investigate such allegations as described below.
VII. Responding to a Report of Bullying, Cyberbullying, or Retaliation
A. Preliminary Considerations. When a complaint of bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation is brought to the attention of the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI, 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, cyberbullying, or retaliation during an investigation.
B. Obligation to Notify Parents. It is the policy of the School to notify the parents/guardians of any student who is an alleged victim and the parents/guardians of any student who may have been accused of engaging in such behavior promptly after a complaint has been made.
C. Investigation. An impartial investigation of the complaint is conducted by the Discipline Committee, or a party designated by the Head of School, including the use of an outside resource. That investigation may include (but will not necessarily be limited to) interviews with the person who made the complaint, with the alleged victim, 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 incident. Depending on the circumstances, the Discipline Committee, or the designated investigator may choose to consult with other teachers and/or the School Counselor. While the School cannot promise strict confidentiality because information must be shared in order to conduct an effective investigation, the School shares information concerning complaints of bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation only on a legitimate, need-to-know basis.
D. Resolution, Notification, and Follow-up. Following interviews and any other investigation undertaken, as the School deems appropriate, the Discipline Committee or designated investigator will determine whether and to what extent the allegation of bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation has been substantiated. If it is determined that the policy set forth in this Plan has been violated, appropriate disciplinary action and/or other remedial action will be determined and implemented in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Discipline section of this Handbook.
The goal of an investigation and any disciplinary or other remedial process that is imposed following that investigation is to correct the situation to the extent it is reasonably possible, to take such steps as can be taken to prevent there being a repetition of the incident, and to prevent the victim(s) and others who participated in the investigation from being subject to retaliation.
In appropriate circumstances, such as when a crime may have been committed or a student may have been subject to abuse or neglect of the type that is reportable under Massachusetts laws, law enforcement or another appropriate government agency may be notified.
Upon completion of the investigation, the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, or Director of DEI will communicate with the victim(s), the student or students against whom the complaint was made, and their parents/guardians to report the results of the investigation and, where disciplinary or other corrective action is determined to be appropriate, to inform those involved of the steps that will be taken to correct the situation. Involved students (victims, perpetrators, and their family members) will also be provided with referrals to counseling resources, as deemed appropriate. The amount of information provided in these meetings may be limited by 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 their parents/guardians to inquire as to whether there have been any further incidents, and, if so, appropriate, additional steps will be taken to curb the ongoing misconduct.
VIII. Conclusion
This Plan is intended (1) to prevent bullying and cyberbullying among our students, (2) to encourage students and their parents/guardians 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) to implement appropriate discipline and other corrective measures when they are found to be warranted.