• Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation/Hazing Policy

    Definition of Bullying-

    “Bully behavior occurs when there is deliberate intent to harm, dominate, inflict pain, exclude or otherwise cause distress to the person being targeted. The person who bullies purposefully misuses his/her power (size, age, popularity, confidence, verbal ability), usually repeatedly. The balance of power between the bully and target is not equal.”

    Shepherd Board Policy #3226

    Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation/Hazing

    The Board will strive to provide a positive and productive learning and working environment. Bullying, harassment, intimidation, or hazing, by students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and shall not be tolerated. This includes bullying, harassment, or intimidation via electronic communication devices (“cyber bullying”).

    The following procedure will be used to handle repeated bullying issues:

    1.      When a student reports harassment or bullying to a school official, the administrator will meet with the student accused of bullying.

    2.      After the administrator investigates the allegations, he/she will determine if it is a bullying issue.

    3.      If it is determined by the administrator to be a bullying offense, the person doing the bullying will be assigned out of school suspension for a day. Parents of the victim will be notified. Parents and student doing the bullying will need to meet with administrator before coming back to school.

    4.      Student will be placed on a behavior contract and work with school counselor to address the issue of bullying.

    5.      If student breaks his/her behavior contract, and bullies again, student will be assigned two days out of school suspension. Same procedure will be followed to return to school.

    6.      Third offense of bullying, student will go before the Board of Trustees for long term suspension or expulsion.

    Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation/Hazing may be perpetrated by one person or by a group. This behavior will not be tolerated at Shepherd Schools.