What is Bullying?
Ohio law defines bullying in Ohio schools as:
- Any intentional written, verbal, electronic, or physical act that a student or group of students exhibits toward another student more than once and the behavior both:
- Causes mental or physical harm to the other student; and
- Is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for the other student.
2. Violence within a dating relationship.
Note that “bullying” refers to all instances of harassment, intimidation, and bullying.
District Policy
Yellow Springs Schools Policy 5517.01 states that Harassment, intimidation, or bullying toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes aggressive behavior, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, and violence within a dating relationship. The Board will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation.
This policy applies to all activities in the District, including activities on school property, on a school bus, or while enroute to or from school, and those occurring off school property if the student or employee is at any school-sponsored, school-approved or school-related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the school's control, in a school vehicle, or where an employee is engaged in school business.
>> Semi-Annual Summary of Reported Bullying Incidents
What should parents and guardians do if their student is bullied at school or at school events?
- Talk with students daily to be aware of students’ experiences at school;
- Report bullying problems to the school principal immediately; and
- Call local law enforcement if a student is in danger.
Resources
NetFamilyNews – This web-based newsletter is for anyone everyone interested in safety for young people as they use technology
