Bullying/Harassment Incident Form

 

BULLYING

Bullying at Wrightstown Middle School is defined as any type of verbal or physical abuse against another student, which is repeated and purposeful. The underlying purpose of this type of behavior is always to humiliate or hurt someone else. A bullied person is one who is repeatedly exposed to negative actions by one or more persons.  Bullying can include, but is not necessarily limited to the following categories and specific behaviors:

Verbal Bullying:

1) Name-calling, teasing

2) Making fun of or being disrespectful of another person’s:

a) physical characteristics b) nationality c) religion d) color e) size f) physical disabilities g) family problems (i.e. divorce) h) ability to learn or i) athletic ability

3) Using inappropriate language (i.e. swearing)

4) Spreading lies or rumors about a person

5) Laughing at another’s misfortune

6) Inciting others to fight or bully someone in any way

7) Putting people down

Threatening:

1) Saying that someone will be beaten up if they do not comply with bully’s requests

2) Using antagonistic language towards someone i.e. saying things like, “I don’t like the way you’re looking at me.” Social Exclusion

3) Not allowing someone to participate in your group

4) Forming a circle or group in the hallways so that another person cannot join in

5) Speaking with a group so that one person is excluded either because of the language being used or the slang used by a group

6) Ignoring a person

7) Refusing to be someone’s friend, or a group pressuring others to isolate someone or exclude as a friend

8) Refusing to allow someone his or her place in a line or on a bus

Physical Bullying:

1) Pushing or shoving someone, hitting someone, poking or jabbing someone with hands, fingers or objects such as pencils, sticks, etc.  WMS “Hands Off” policy does not permit physical contact of any kind between students.

2) Grabbing someone’s clothes (i.e. taking off someone’s hat and throwing it down or to someone else, grabbing a person’s clothes with the intent to tear)

3) Fighting

Vandalism:

1) Damaging someone’s books or locker

2) Breaking someone’s pencils, pens or art supplies,

3) Writing on someone’s notebook or binder

Extortion/Theft:

1) Taking someone’s lunch money

2) Taking someone else’s lunch

3) Taking/hiding something that belongs to someone else.

Wrightstown Middle School strives to create a caring community of learners that is based on mutual respect and acceptance of individual differences. In accordance with this mission, bullying is considered a very serious offense at our school. The staff and administration will address incidents regarding bullying and disciplinary action will be applied accordingly.

CONSEQUENCES FOR BULLYING INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO):

• Verbal Warning
• Detention Time
• Suspension (In-School or Out-of-School)
• Behavior Contract (disciplinary probation)
• Recommendation for Expulsion

The consequence will be based on the nature and frequency of the behavior and on the student’s disciplinary record.