Policy 1060 – Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation

The HCPSS will work to ensure that the school and workplace environments are free from incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

The display of symbols, images, language, materials, or items that demean an identifiable person or group or are reasonably perceived as promoting hatred, intimidation, or harassment, such as but not limited to swastikas and confederate flag symbols, are prohibited on school property or at school-related activities and are subject to the standards of this policy.

The HCPSS will comply with the Maryland Safe Schools Reporting Act of 2005, as amended, which mandates the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to require all county boards of education to report incidents of bullying, harassment, or intimidation against students on public school property. HCPSS will adhere to the requirements set forth by Maryland’s Model Policy to Address Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation, and will utilize the MSDE Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form and the MSDE Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Investigation Form.

All HCPSS schools and workplaces will follow established procedures for prevention, intervention, and providing supports as outlined in the implementation procedures.

The prevention and intervention strategies of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation, will be presented to all students in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.

Employees and service providers will receive annual professional development on the provisions of this policy. This professional development will include prevention education, designed to model and teach positive relationship building and appropriate interpersonal communication, as well as procedures for reporting bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

Students, employees, and others engaging in bullying, cyberbullying, harassment or intimidation will be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action.

Retaliation against anyone who has reported bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation is prohibited.

An HCPSS employee who reports an act of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation under the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Section 7-424.1 in accordance with the county board’s policy is not civilly liable for any act or omission in reporting or failing to report an act of bullying, harassment, or intimidation under this policy.

In an effort to maintain a positive school culture and workplace climate, consequences for violations of this policy will be administered according to applicable school system policies (Policy 7030 Employee Conduct and Discipline, Policy 9200 Student Discipline, the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct, and all applicable state and federal laws). Prior violations of this policy will be considered when determining consequences.

Bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation data will be compiled, analyzed, and reported annually to MSDE.

The HCPSS will provide annual professional development for employees and service providers on the substance of this policy. This professional development will provide prevention education, designed to model and teach positive relationship building and appropriate interpersonal communication as well as detail the process and responsibilities for bullying reporting.

The Superintendent/designee will ensure that students, parents, employees, and service providers are notified of the provisions of this policy annually.

The Superintendent/designee will ensure that this policy is highlighted in the school system’s student handbook and on the school system’s website.

The Superintendent/designee will ensure appropriate action is taken in response to a violation of this policy.

School administrators/supervisors will notify those under their supervision of the provisions of this policy.

Students, parents, employees, and service providers will report alleged incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation.

School administrators/supervisors will ensure compliance with the Maryland Safe Schools Reporting Act of 2005, as amended, requiring all county boards of education to report incidents of bullying, harassment, or intimidation against students in public schools and to provide access to a “Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment or Intimidation Reporting (BCHI) Form”.

The Superintendent/designee and/or school administrators will ensure that all illegal behaviors are reported to the appropriate social service agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the MSDE.

School administrators/supervisors will take immediate action to protect targeted students regardless of how the alleged bullying is reported.

School administrators/supervisors will ensure that professional development regarding this policy occurs annually.

School administrators/supervisors will implement systemwide/workplace procedures for prevention and intervention of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

School administrators, supervisors, or the Director of Program Innovation and Student Well-Being/designee will provide appropriate assistance to students, parents, employees, and service providers who have been affected by behavior prohibited in this policy.

The Department of Program Innovation and Student Well-Being will compile and report bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation data to the Board.

All employees will comply with the expectations for safe school environments.

Bullying – Unwanted, demeaning behavior among students or employees that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or is highly likely to be repeated, over time. To be considered bullying, the behavior must be intentional and include: 1) an imbalance of power (students who bully use their physical, emotional, social, or academic power to control, exclude, or harm others), and 2) repetition (bullying behaviors happen more than once or are highly likely to be repeated based on evidence gathered).

Community – The society at large which includes, but is not limited to families, businesses, faith communities, government agencies, nonprofit service organizations, other organizations, and individuals.

Cyberbullying – Bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through texting, apps, or online via social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or hurtful content about another person. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

Electronic Communication – A communication transmitted by means of any electronic device, including but not limited to the use of social media sites, telephones, cellular phones, computers, or tablets.

Employee – Any individual who is a permanent or temporary employee whose compensation is paid in whole or part by the Board and/or an individual who is a student teacher, an intern, consultant, or an independent contractor for the school system.

Harassment – Includes actual or perceived negative actions that offend, ridicule, or demean another person with regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, family/parental or marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, disability, or political opinion.

Intimidation – Any communication or action directed against another person that threatens or induces a sense of fear and/or inferiority. Retaliation may be considered a form of intimidation.

Parent – Any one of the following, recognized as the adult(s) legally responsible for the child or vulnerable adult:

Retaliation – The act or process of threatening or otherwise penalizing a person for reporting an alleged violation of this policy or for participating in an investigation of an alleged violation.

School Property – Any property owned or leased by the HCPSS or used by HCPSS for school-related activities. The concept of property extends to school activities such as field trips, use of parks and recreation facilities, proms at hotels, etc. School buses, bus stops, and facilities scheduled by the school system for student use are considered an extension of school property.

School-Related Activity – Any school system activity, on or off school property, in which a student directly participates (e.g. school field trip, athletic event, or class/graduation activity), or an activity in which the student does not directly participate but represents the school or student body simply by being present (e.g. spectator at a school event).

Service Providers – Individuals who provide services to the HCPSS, either through contract or volunteer service, when those services involve access to students, such as substitute teachers, mentors, chaperones, bus drivers, and individuals who participate in partnership programs.