It is the belief of the Framingham Public Schools that all students have a right to safe and healthy school environment. bullying of any type is a major distraction from learning and has no place in a school setting. Framingham Public Schools will endeavor to maintain a learning environment free of bullying and one that promotes mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance. Framingham Public Schools will not condone behavior that infringes on the safety or emotional well being of any student.

Bullying is defined as the act of one or more individuals intimidating one or more persons through verbal, physical, mental, or written interactions. Bullying can take many forms and occur in virtually any setting. It can create unnecessary and unwarranted anxiety that will affect attending school, walking in corridors, eating in cafeterias, playing in the school yard or creation areas, participating in or attending special and extra-curricular activities, or riding on the bus to and from school each day.

Definition of Bullying:

1.Examples of bullying include but are not exclusive to:
2.Intimidation, either physical or psychological.
3.Threats of any kind, stated or implied.
4.Assaults on students, including those that are verbal, physical, psychological and emotional.
5.Attacks on student property.

Responsibilities

The School Committee expects administrators and supervisors to make clear to students and staff that bullying in the school building, on school grounds, on the bus or school sanctioned transportation, or at school-sponsored functions will not be tolerated and will be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion for students, and termination for employees.

The district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment, including bullying. The Principal of each building will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment, including bullying.

The Superintendent will develop administrative guidelines and procedures for the implementation of this policy.