Prohibition Against Bullying/Cyberbullying and Harassment
In accordance with GMSD Board Policy 249, the Board is committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for district students. The Board recognizes that bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation,detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious violence. Therefore, the Board prohibits bullying by district students.
Reporting of Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination
Students and others who have been the victim of, or have information about, bullying/cyberbullying or harassment are strongly encouraged to make a report to the school. A teacher, counselor, school social worker or school administrator will field complaints and ensure that they are properly addressed under Board Policy. Reports can be made through Safe2Say Something as well at www.safe2saypa.org.
Individuals who wish to file a bullying, harassment, or discrimination complaint form can be found at the button below.
Investigation of Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination
Complaints of bullying or harassment, once received, are investigated by the school principal or a designee, such as an assistant principal, school counselor or social worker. In certain cases, the Director of Student Services will investigate the complaint. This will occur if the school principal or other school employee is the alleged perpetrator of the conduct, or if the conduct is particularly severe in nature. For peer-on-peer bullying and harassment, the parents of all students involved in the conduct will be contacted. Investigations typically include interviews with students, staff and others who may have knowledge about the conduct and a review of other information, materials or records relative to the incident. Findings of the investigation of bullying or harassment will be provided to all individuals involved in the incident. A copy of the report is also maintained by the Director of Student Services and the school.
If the investigation reveals that bullying or harassment has occurred, intervention and corrective action will be taken to ensure that the conduct stops. Intervention and corrective action may be any number of measures the school or Director of Student Services believes will be effective to prevent further incidents. Intervention and corrective action could include separating the students involved, assigning students to counseling, or instituting consequences consistent with the Code of Student Conduct.