First Lutheran School's Bullying Policy
Purpose
First Lutheran School (FLS) is an anti-bullying campus. We do not condone bullying. We want our students to live by the Golden Rule from Luke 6:31 - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We teach our students to "be strong and courageous" (Deuteronomy 31:6) and to "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-48). We want our students to rely on God to overcome words that hurt us and "encourage one another and build each other up" (1Thessalonians 5:11).
Since bullying is not condoned at FLS, students who bully are subject to disciplinary actions. Bullies may also be provided with assistance to end their unaaceptable behavior, and targets of bullies may be provided with assistance to overcome the negative effects of bullying. Although mandated to public schools only, FLS makes a reasonable effort to follow guidance from the Oklahoma School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act which is also a good resource for how to prevent bullying, how to recognize bullying, how to report bullying, and the consequences of bullying. More detail can be located at sde.ok.gov/bullying-prevention.
Definition of Terms
"Bully" means any pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or electronic communication directed toward a student or group of students that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or physical results for the targeted individual or group and is communicated in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school's educational mission or the education or safety of any student. Types of bullying include but are not limited to physical, emotional, social, and sexual bullying. "Bully" is also a term used for the person committing the aforementioned acts.
"Threatening behavior" means any pattern of behavior or isolated action, whether or not it is directed at another person, that a reasonable person would believe indicates potential for future harm to students, school personnel, or school property.
"Electronic communication" means the communication of any written, verbal, pictorial information, or video content by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, a mobile or cellular telephone or other wireless telecommunication device, or a computer that exhibits bullying and/or threatening behavior as defined previously. Such communication does not necessarily have to originate while the student is at the school or with school equipment to be considered electronic bullying.
"At school" means on school grounds, in school vehicles, at school-sponsored activities, or at school-sanctioned events.
Understanding and Preventing Bullying
All school staff who work with children will receive annual training regarding preventing, identifying, reporting, and managing bullying. Volunteers will be made aware of the bullying policy in this handbook. Students will receive annual education regarding behavioral expectations, understanding bullying and its negative effects, disciplinary consequences for infractions, reporting methods, and consequences for those who knowingly make false reports. Second through eighth grade students will be required to sign a "no bullying" contract. The principal and school staff may utilize resources from the Oklahoma State Department of Education at sde.ok.gov/bullying-prevention as needed to assist in the efforts in this policy.
Reporting
Student Reporting
Students are expected to inform school personnel if they are the target of or a witness to bullying. Retaliation to bullying either physically or verbally is not condoned. To make a report of bullying, students should notify a teacher, a staff member, a school volunteer, the assistant principal, the principal, or the pastor. Students may make an anonymous report of bullying by using the Bullying Reporting box located in the administration building, and such report will be investigated as thoroughly as possible. However, it is often difficult to fully investigate claims which are made anonymously and disciplinary action cannot be taken against a bully solely on the basis of an anonymous report.
Staff Reporting
Staff members will encourage students to report bullying. All employees and volunteers who witness acts of bullying, hear about, or suspect bullying are required to notify the principal in written or electronic form with one school day.
Investigating Bullying Reports
For any alleged incidents of bullying reported to school officials, the principal or designee will investigate the alleged incident(s) and determine (i) whether bullying occurred, (ii) the severity of the incident(s), (iii) the potential for future violence, and (iv) the reason for the actual or perceived bullying.
In conducting an investigation, the principal or designee shall interview relevant students and staff and review any documentation of the alleged incident(s). They may also work with outside professionals, such as counselors or local law enforcement, as necessary. At the conclusion of the investigation, the principal or designee will document the steps taken to review the matter, the conclusions reached, and any additional action taken, if applicable. Furthermore, the principal will report to the Board of Parochial Education electronically or at a meeting that an investigation has occurred and the results of the investigation. The principal will also keep a record of all substantiated bullying incidents for a period of time no less than (3) years from the date of the incident.
Parental Notification
The principal will notify the parents/guardian of a target and/or bully within a reasonable time period (1-2 school days) that a substantiated bullying report has been received.
Parental Responsibilities
An administrative response to a reported act of bullying may involve certain actions to be taken by parents. Parents will be informed of the means for students to report bullying acts toward them or other students. They will also be told that to help prevent bullying at school they should encourage their children to:
Disciplinary System
Different levels of bullying require different levels of discipline. A tiered bullying system is used such that consequences are appropriately administered. The principal has the right to adjust the following suggested disciplinary action as needed according to the severity of each situation and time period between incidents:
Pray for God's guidance as we work together for the spiritual and academic success of all of God's children.
Purpose
First Lutheran School (FLS) is an anti-bullying campus. We do not condone bullying. We want our students to live by the Golden Rule from Luke 6:31 - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We teach our students to "be strong and courageous" (Deuteronomy 31:6) and to "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-48). We want our students to rely on God to overcome words that hurt us and "encourage one another and build each other up" (1Thessalonians 5:11).
Since bullying is not condoned at FLS, students who bully are subject to disciplinary actions. Bullies may also be provided with assistance to end their unaaceptable behavior, and targets of bullies may be provided with assistance to overcome the negative effects of bullying. Although mandated to public schools only, FLS makes a reasonable effort to follow guidance from the Oklahoma School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act which is also a good resource for how to prevent bullying, how to recognize bullying, how to report bullying, and the consequences of bullying. More detail can be located at sde.ok.gov/bullying-prevention.
Definition of Terms
"Bully" means any pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or electronic communication directed toward a student or group of students that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or physical results for the targeted individual or group and is communicated in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school's educational mission or the education or safety of any student. Types of bullying include but are not limited to physical, emotional, social, and sexual bullying. "Bully" is also a term used for the person committing the aforementioned acts.
"Threatening behavior" means any pattern of behavior or isolated action, whether or not it is directed at another person, that a reasonable person would believe indicates potential for future harm to students, school personnel, or school property.
"Electronic communication" means the communication of any written, verbal, pictorial information, or video content by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, a mobile or cellular telephone or other wireless telecommunication device, or a computer that exhibits bullying and/or threatening behavior as defined previously. Such communication does not necessarily have to originate while the student is at the school or with school equipment to be considered electronic bullying.
"At school" means on school grounds, in school vehicles, at school-sponsored activities, or at school-sanctioned events.
Understanding and Preventing Bullying
All school staff who work with children will receive annual training regarding preventing, identifying, reporting, and managing bullying. Volunteers will be made aware of the bullying policy in this handbook. Students will receive annual education regarding behavioral expectations, understanding bullying and its negative effects, disciplinary consequences for infractions, reporting methods, and consequences for those who knowingly make false reports. Second through eighth grade students will be required to sign a "no bullying" contract. The principal and school staff may utilize resources from the Oklahoma State Department of Education at sde.ok.gov/bullying-prevention as needed to assist in the efforts in this policy.
Reporting
Student Reporting
Students are expected to inform school personnel if they are the target of or a witness to bullying. Retaliation to bullying either physically or verbally is not condoned. To make a report of bullying, students should notify a teacher, a staff member, a school volunteer, the assistant principal, the principal, or the pastor. Students may make an anonymous report of bullying by using the Bullying Reporting box located in the administration building, and such report will be investigated as thoroughly as possible. However, it is often difficult to fully investigate claims which are made anonymously and disciplinary action cannot be taken against a bully solely on the basis of an anonymous report.
Staff Reporting
Staff members will encourage students to report bullying. All employees and volunteers who witness acts of bullying, hear about, or suspect bullying are required to notify the principal in written or electronic form with one school day.
Investigating Bullying Reports
For any alleged incidents of bullying reported to school officials, the principal or designee will investigate the alleged incident(s) and determine (i) whether bullying occurred, (ii) the severity of the incident(s), (iii) the potential for future violence, and (iv) the reason for the actual or perceived bullying.
In conducting an investigation, the principal or designee shall interview relevant students and staff and review any documentation of the alleged incident(s). They may also work with outside professionals, such as counselors or local law enforcement, as necessary. At the conclusion of the investigation, the principal or designee will document the steps taken to review the matter, the conclusions reached, and any additional action taken, if applicable. Furthermore, the principal will report to the Board of Parochial Education electronically or at a meeting that an investigation has occurred and the results of the investigation. The principal will also keep a record of all substantiated bullying incidents for a period of time no less than (3) years from the date of the incident.
Parental Notification
The principal will notify the parents/guardian of a target and/or bully within a reasonable time period (1-2 school days) that a substantiated bullying report has been received.
Parental Responsibilities
An administrative response to a reported act of bullying may involve certain actions to be taken by parents. Parents will be informed of the means for students to report bullying acts toward them or other students. They will also be told that to help prevent bullying at school they should encourage their children to:
- Report bullying when it occurs;
- Take advantage of opportunities to talk to their children about bullying;
- Inform the school immediately if they think their child is being bullied or is bullying other students;
- Watch for symptoms that their child may be a target of bullying and report those symptoms; and
- Cooperate fully with school personnel in identifying and resolving incidents.
Disciplinary System
Different levels of bullying require different levels of discipline. A tiered bullying system is used such that consequences are appropriately administered. The principal has the right to adjust the following suggested disciplinary action as needed according to the severity of each situation and time period between incidents:
- 1st substantiated report of bullying - Meeting with principal about proper behavior including review of the bullying policy and written (not typed) formal apology to the victim.
- 2nd substantiated report of bullying - Same as first incident plus verbal apology to the victim and detention.
- 3rd substantiated report of bullying - Same as second incident plus loss of privileges such as extracurricular activities, field trips, etc.
- 4th substantiated report of bullying - Suspension or expulsion with recommendation for counseling.
Pray for God's guidance as we work together for the spiritual and academic success of all of God's children.