FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL

Response to Bullying and Cyberbullying:

Prevention and Action
August 2010

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

We are pleased to present this addendum to our Franklin High School Handbook
on bullying and cyberbullying. This past spring the Massachusetts Legislature
passed Chapter 92 Acts of 2010 on bullying and cyberbullying laws. The new
laws called for very specific policy and protocols to be established by all schools
in the Commonwealth. Through the addition of this addendum we have
provided our vision, mission, policy and procedures regarding the handling of
reported incidents on bullying and cyberbullying for students, parents, staff and
administration.

This addendum is one step of many that we have taken and will take. As in
past years we will continue to provide informational evenings for both parents
and students on issues pertaining to bullying and cyberbullying as well as
dedicating time during the school day to educate both staff and students. We
will continue to address these issues through our communications throughout
the year.

It is our belief that you will find this addendum to be a valuable resource. If you
have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact one of us at
our respective schools.

Sincerely,

Peter Light
Principal
Extension 3011

Joseph DiLorenzo Derek Folan Robert

Lima
Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Assistant Principal
Extension 3020 Extension 3030
Extension 3013

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 Table of Contents

Vision Page 4

Mission Statement Page 4

Policy Page 4

Definitions Page 5

Guidelines for Parents and Students Page 6

School Response for Reported Bullying/Cyberbullying Page 7

Resources Page 8

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Franklin High School Bullying Prevention Vision, Mission and
Policy Statements

Vision

Franklin High School, in partnership with our students and community

members, will create a learning and working environment that is free of
bullying, cyberbullying and/or bullying behaviors.

Mission

Franklin High School is committed to eliminating bullying, cyberbullying and/or

bullying behaviors. All students and staff deserve the opportunity to work and
learn in a caring environment of respect and trust in which they are supported.
We strive to create a school culture through the education of our staff, students
and parents/guardians in which each individual feels physically and emotionally
safe, accepted and treated with dignity.

Policy

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010,

Franklin High School will not tolerate or accept bullying, cyberbullying and/or
bullying behaviors in any form. We will respond to any reported incidents of
bullying in a timely manner, investigate and take action as needed.

Prevention

It has long been Franklin High School’s mission to create an atmosphere of

“equality, acceptance and respect.” The best way to combat bullying and
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similar behaviors is by developing and sustaining a school culture in which
faculty and students treat each other respectfully and with compassion.
Additionally, comprehensive education about how to recognize bullying/
cyberbullying and what to do if it occurs provides a safety net and framework
for students and families in the event bullying occurs.

Franklin High School educates all students on bullying/ cyberbullying as part of

its orientation program that takes place during the first two days of the school
year. Students are instructed about the definitions of bullying, how to recognize
it, and what to do when it occurs. Additionally, they are taught about legal
implications under the new anti-bullying law.

Education continues for all students as a component of the 9th grade health
education curriculum. During this mandatory course, students are engaged
through the Olweus Bullying Curriculum. By integrating this research-based
curriculum into the 9th grade health education program, it is our hope that we
can actively cause a decrease in the number of bullying incidents in our school.

As our mission reads, Franklin High School fosters and atmosphere of “equality,
acceptance and respect.” To that end, we are pleased to announce that we will
be hosting Rachel’s Challenge this September. Rachel’s Challenge was founded
by the sister of Rachel Scott, one of the first victims of the Columbine High
School attacks. The program teaches students and parents how treating people
well creates a chain reaction within the school community. There will be
programs for students during the day and an additional program for parents
and community members in the evening. The school will follow-up on this
program through the peer-leaders, a group of FHS students dedicated to
positive leadership within the school.

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Definitions
Bullying - the repeated 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 victim
that:

(i) causes physical or emotional harm to the victim or damage to the victim’s
property;

(ii) places the victim in reasonable fear of harm to himself or of damage to his
property;

(iii) creates a hostile environment at school for the victim;

(iv) infringes on the rights of the victim at school; or

(v) materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly
operation of a school. For the purposes of this section, bullying shall include
cyber-bullying.

Cyberbullying - bullying through the use of technology or any electronic

communication, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, any transfer of signs,
signals, writing, images, sounds, data 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. Cyberbullying shall also include:

(i) the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity
of another person or

(ii) the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content
or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions
enumerated in clauses (i) to (v), inclusive, of the definition of bullying.
Cyberbullying shall also include the distribution by electronic means of a
communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an
electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the
distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in clauses (i)
to (v), inclusive, of the definition of bullying.

Hostile environment - a situation in which bullying causes the school environment to

be permeated with intimidation, ridicule or insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive
to alter the conditions of the student’s education.

Perpetrator - a student who engages in bullying or retaliation.

School grounds - property on which a school building or facility is located or property

that is owned, leased or used by a school district, charter school, non-public school,
approved private day or residential school, or collaborative school for a school-
sponsored activity, function, program, instruction or training.

Victim - a student against whom bullying or retaliation has been perpetrated.

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 Retaliation- against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an
investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying shall
be prohibited.
Guidelines for Parents and Students

Is this bullying?

One time incidents may be deliberately mean or cruel, but they may
not be bullying. For behavior to be deemed bullying, it needs to
include all of the following elements (MGL Chapter 92, Acts of 2010).

• Must be repeated action(s) by one or more students

• Must be a written, verbal or electronic expression OR a physical act or
gesture
• Must be directed at a victim so that it causes one or more of the following:
 Physical or emotional harm to the victim;
 Damage to the victim’s property;
 Places the victim in reasonable fear of harm to him/herself or of
damage to his/her property;
 Creates a hostile environment at school for the victim;
 Infringes on the rights of the victim at school; or
 Disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

When should you report?

Any student or parent/ guardian may report bullying to school personnel. If you
feel that a bullying incident has occurred please collect as much information as
possible and report it to a counselor, administrator, and/or teacher.

You should contact the school to inform them of a situation when:

The Situation What the School Can Do What the School Cannot Do

A student is afraid to see another student
at school, or generally afraid to go to
school because of an incident
An incident occurred at school or outside
of school
There is a rumor about a future incident
that may occur at school or outside of
school
You have reason to believe that another
student is being bullied at school or
outside of school
You hear about a school bullying incident
from another credible source
The school may create a safety and
support plan for you or your
son/daughter
The school may take steps to
ensure the safety of the students
involved (see steps on page 7)
The school may investigate the
plausibility of the future incident
and take appropriate action
The school may investigate the
situation
The school may investigate the
situation
The school cannot share any
discussions or actions taken with
other student(s)
The school cannot discuss the steps
taken that involve any other
student(s)
The school cannot share with you
their discussions with other
student(s)
The school cannot report back to
you any outcome of the
investigation
The school cannot report back to
you any outcome of the
investigation, except for your

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 son/daughters part, if any

You know of an incident that occurred via The school may investigate the The school cannot report back to
the internet, text messaging, or via any situation you any outcome of the
other electronic device(s) investigation

If you have a question or concern about a disciplinary action taken by the

school:
• Begin by having a conversation with the school administration
• It is important that our students know that the adults are working
collaboratively to solve problems
• Student(s) and parents may be referred to School Resource Officer

School Response to Reported Bullying/Cyberbullying

Administrative Steps:

• Take a complete statement from the student or parent/guardian and/or

staff member reporting the incident
• Speak to other students involved
• Speak to other relevant adults – teachers, counselors, and/or bus drivers
who may have information regarding the incident
• Make a determination regarding the incident
• Identify bully/cyberbully and bully/cyberbully-bystanders as appropriate
• Identify victim(s) as appropriate
• Include the School Resource Officer(SRO) as appropriate
• Notify Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and/or Director of Special
Education as appropriate

Administrative Actions:

If it is determined to be a bullying incident the following administrative actions

may take place but not necessarily in the order listed below.

Bully/Cyberbully and Bully/Cyberbully-bystanders:

• Inform student(s) and parents/guardians about the consequences for

bullying or cyberbullying in school
• Have an educational discussion with the student(s) and parents/guardians
• Inform all relevant adults – teachers, counselors, and/or bus drivers
• Student(s) may be required to engage in educational activities such as
readings, written reflection and/or research about bullying/cyberbullying
• Student(s) are informed about further consequences if any form of
retaliation were to occur

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 • Student(s) may be referred to School Adjustment Counselor or School
Psychologist
• Student(s) may be assigned a progressive disciplinary consequence as
outlined in the Code of Conduct (See Parent/Student Handbook)
Victim(s):

• Have an educational discussion with the student(s) and parents/guardians

• Establish a safety and support plan with the student(s) and
parents/guardians
• Inform all relevant adults – teachers, counselors, and bus drivers
• Future follow-up with student(s) and parents/guardians
• May be referred to School Adjustment Counselor(s)

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 Bullying Web Resources

Why does my child get bullied/bully others? What can I do to help?

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/bullying template 9_04.pdf
http://www.bullyonline.org/schoolbully/school.htm
http://www.nmsa.org/Research/ResearchSummaries/Bullying/tabid/709/Default.aspx
http://www.byparents-forparents.com/parenting/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-a-bully.htm
http://www.education.com/topic/school-bullying-teasing/

Cyberbullying: What is it? What can be done?

http://webhost.bridgew.edu/marc/
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html
http://www.cyberbullying.us

Bullying/Cyberbullying Facts and FAQ’s:

http://www.wiredsafety.org/
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/se/bullyfaq.asp

Social Networking Safety Tips for Teens and Parents:

http://www.nsteens.org/
http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/safety-tips-tweens-teens.aspx
http://www.safefamilies.org/socialnetworking.php

MA State Law Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw10/sl100092.htm

Articles on Bullying in Schools:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/bullies.html
http://www.tolerance.org/print/magazine/number-10-fall-1996/bully-trap

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