Bullying means the 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 student that:

The expression, physical act or gesture may include, but is not limited to, an incident or incidents that may be reasonably perceived as being motivated by characteristics such as: Race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or mental, physical, or sensory disability, intellectual ability or by any other distinguishing characteristic.Bullying most often occurs as repeated behavior and often is not a single incident between the bullying/cyber-bullying offender(s) and the bullying victim(s).

CYBER-BULLYING means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which shall include, but not be limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, texting or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications.Forms of cyber-bullying may include but are not limited to:

• The creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person;
• The knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages; or
• The distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of materials on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the creation, impersonation, or distribution results in any of the conditions enumerated in clauses (a) to (e) of the definition of bullying.

AT SCHOOL:

In the context of this policy, the phrase “at school” includes the following places and situations:

• on school premises,
• immediately adjacent to school property,
• at any school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises,
• on a school-transportation vehicle,
• at school bus stops,
• while students are walking to or from school,
• using property or equipment provided by the school, or
• Any other place at which bullying occurs which creates a material and substantial disruption of the education process or the orderly operation of the school.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support

The Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center offers resources for students and families about anti-bullying.

Second Step

Each grade level features developmentally appropriate ways to teach core social-emotional skills such as empathy, emotion management, and problem solving.