Original Adopted Date: 05/24/2011 | Last Reviewed Date: 12/16/2019

Bullying

The Griffin-Spalding County School System believes that all students can learn better in a safe school environment. Behavior that infringes on the safety of students will not be tolerated. Bullying, as the term is defined in Georgia law, of a student by another student is strictly prohibited. Such prohibition shall be included in the Student Code of Conduct for all schools within the school system.

Bullying is defined as follows: An act that is:

1. Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so;

2. Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm; or

3. Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate, that:

a. Causes another person substantial physical harm within the meaning of Code Section 16-5-23.1 or visible bodily harm as such term is defined in Code Section 16-5-23.1;

b. Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education;

c. Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or d. Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

The term applies to acts which occur on school property, on school vehicles, at designated school bus stops, or at school related functions or activities or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of the Griffin-Spalding County School System. The term also applies to acts of cyberbullying which occur through the use of electronic communication, whether or not electronic act originated on school property or with school equipment, if electronic communication (1) is directed specifically at students or school personnel, (2) is maliciously intended for the purpose of threatening the safety of those specified or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school, and (3) creates a reasonable fear of harm to the students' or school personnel's person or property or has a high likelihood of succeeding in that purpose. Electronic communication includes, but is not 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.

Procedures may be developed at each school encouraging a teacher or other school employee, student, parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a student, either anonymously or in the person’s name, at the person’s option, to report or otherwise provide information on bullying activity. Any teacher or other school employee who, in the exercise of his or her personal judgment and discretion, believes he or she has reliable information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that someone is a target of bullying is encouraged to immediately report it to the school principal. Any report will be appropriately investigated by the administration based on the nature of the complaint in a timely manner to determine whether bullying has occurred, whether there are other procedures related to illegal harassment or discrimination that should be implemented and what other steps should be taken. Any report of retaliation for reporting bullying will also be investigated and addressed as called for in this policy and in accordance with school procedures.

Acts of bullying shall be punished by a range of consequences through the progressive discipline process, as stated in the Code of Conduct. However, upon a finding by the disciplinary hearing officer, panel or tribunal that a student in grades 6-12 has committed the offense of bullying for the third time in a school year, the student shall be assigned to an alternative school. Upon a finding by a school administrator that a student has committed an act of bullying or is a victim of bullying, the administrator or designee shall notify the parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of the student by Board Policy Manual Griffin-Spalding County School System telephone call or through written notice, which may be done electronically.

Students and parents will be notified of the prohibition against bullying and the penalties for violating the prohibition by posting information at each school and by including such information in the student/parent handbooks.

Original Adopted Date: 08/25/2010 | Last Revised Date: 08/10/2010 | Last Reviewed Date: 12/18/2019

Student Code of Conduct - Harassment, Intimidation, Threats (Verbal, Written or Electronic), And Bullying Behavior

The Griffin-Spalding County School System is committed to creating a safe, positive environment for all of our students, staff, parents, stakeholders, and community partners. We believe that everyone is entitled to a safe, secure, and orderly environment in which to learn and work.

I. DEFINITIONS:

1. Harassment - The intentional, substantial, and unreasonable verbal, physical or written contact that is initiated, maintained, or repeated.

2. Bullying - Bullying is defined as an act which occurs on school property, on school vehicles, at locations where a school bus picks up or drops off students, or at school related functions or activities, or by use of data software that is capable of being accessed through a computer, computer systems, computer network, or other electronic technology of the Griffin-Spalding County School System, that is a willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so; any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm; or Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate, that:

A. Causes another person substantial physical harm or visible bodily harm as defined in Code Section 16-5-23.1; (B) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education; (C) Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.4) In the case of communications which are made from one student to another and that occur away from a school campus, a school vehicle, a school bus stop or a school related function or activity, the Griffin-Spalding County School System shall have the right to investigate and if appropriate, take action to discipline the offending student and protect the student that is subjected to the bullying behavior if the actions of the offending student present a danger to the safe and orderly learning environment to the student and/or staff of a school in the Griffin-Spalding County School System.

II. Procedures for Reporting and Prohibiting Bullying in the Griffin-Spalding County School System

Griffin-Spalding County Schools Regulations Governing Student Conduct and Discipline Rule 14. Bullying. Students shall: (1) not willfully attempt to threaten to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so; or (2) intentionally display force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm. Upon finding by a disciplinary hearing officer, panel, or tribunal of school officials that a student in grades 6-12 has committed the offense of bullying for the third time in a school year, such student shall be assigned to an alternative school. (O.C.G.A. 20-02-0751.4(b))

1. No student shall engage in harassment, intimidation, or abuse of or toward any other student(s), District employees or other adults for any reason. This prohibition includes but is not limited to, harassment, intimidation or abuse of students or others based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or a physical characteristic.

2. Students and parents shall be notified of the prohibition against bullying and the consequences for violating this prohibition in the student and parent handbook and by posting such information at each school.

3. Any teacher or other school employee who has reliable information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that someone is a target of bullying shall immediately report it to the school principal.

4. After receiving an alleged report of bullying, the school administration shall promptly investigate the report in a timely manner and determine whether bullying has occurred. Board Policy Manual Griffin-Spalding County School System

5. Age-appropriate range of consequences for bullying is included in the discipline matrix. These consequences include at minimum and without limitation, disciplinary action or counseling as appropriate.

6. Consequences for students in grades six through twelve shall require that a finding by the disciplinary hearing officer, panel, or tribunal of school officials that a student has committed the offense of bullying for the third time in a school year, such student shall be assigned to an alternative school.

7. A student can be reassigned to another school for the purpose of separating such student from his or her bullying victim.

8. Teachers or other school employee, student, parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a student, may report or provide information on bullying activity to the School Principal or his or her designee.

9. After a finding by a school administrator that a student has committed an offense of bullying or is a victim of bullying, the school administrator will notify the parent, guardian or other person who has control or charge of such student that this offense of bullying has occurred and discuss disciplinary action or counseling as appropriate.

10. The Griffin-Spalding County School System prohibits any form of retaliation following a report of bullying.

11. The Griffin-Spalding County School System participates in anti-bullying programs and activities.