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Needham Public Schools Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
HIGH ROCK SCHOOL AND POLLARD MIDDLE SCHOOL
POLICY ADDRESSING BULLYING
Bullying, cyber-bullying and retaliation will not be tolerated in the Needham Public Schools. This includes all
forms of bullying that involve Needham students either on campus, on buses, or anywhere on school grounds
or while engaged in school sponsored events or activities. While it is recognized that we have an obligation to
our students and school community to respond effectively to all bullying that happens while school is in
session, school personnel will also make every reasonable attempt to intervene with situations where bullying
might happen outside of school, but the ramifications are brought into the school building.
In addition, Needham Schools will not tolerate retaliation against any individual who has brought harassment,
bullying, and/or other inappropriate behavior to the attention of the school. Persons who engage in such
behavior may be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to: reprimand, suspension, expulsion
or other sanctions as determined by the school administration to be appropriate.
A. Definitions
Bullying is conduct that is repeated by one or more students and targets another student, causing one or more
of the following:
• physical or emotional harm to the targeted student or damage to his/her property;
• placement of the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to him/herself or of damage to
his/her personal property;
• a hostile environment at school for the targeted student;
• infringement of the rights of the targeted student at school; or
• material and substantial disruption of the educational process or the orderly operation of the
school.
Bullying generally involves “picking on” a student over time and may include conduct such as hitting and
shoving; pressuring a student into taking an action that he/she does not wish to take; words that involve threats,
teasing, putdowns, or name-calling; threatening looks, gestures, or actions; cruel rumors, false accusations and
social isolation.
Cyber-bullying is bullying through use of cell phones, computers or other technology and may include
conduct such as sending mean or threatening email messages, instant messages or text messages; creating web
content (including but not limited to social networking sites) that makes fun of, humiliates, or intimidates
others; and posting or sending embarrassing or inappropriate pictures of others. It may also include creating a
website, blog, or posting by which the creator/author impersonates another person.
Hostile Environment is a circumstance in which the targeted student becomes so concerned about bullying
that he/she is unable to participate in and concentrate on his/her school work and other school activities.
Retaliation involves a student “getting back at” another student because of a belief that the student reported
bullying or provided information about it to an adult or others who may help the targeted student.
B. Acts of Bullying (including cyber-bullying) and retaliation are prohibited.
The Needham Public Schools prohibit bullying (including cyber-bullying) and retaliation as defined
above both at school and under the following circumstances:
• on school grounds or any property next to school grounds;
• at the bus stop or on school buses or any other school vehicle;
• at any school-sponsored, or school-related activities, functions or programs;
• through use of any school computers, internet connection or other school based technology;
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