Download - Needham Public Schools

Needham Public Schools Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
I. Leadership
Leadership at all levels will play a critical role in developing and implementing Bullying
Prevention and Intervention Plans (“the Plan”) in the context of other whole school and
community efforts to promote positive school climate. Leaders have a primary role in teaching
students to be civil to one another and to promote understanding of and respect for diversity and
difference. Leadership should be defined by the district or school, depending on existing roles and
responsibilities and locally identified priorities for this initiative. Leadership is responsible for
setting priorities and for staying up-to-date with current research on ways to prevent and
effectively respond to bullying. It is also the responsibility of leaders to involve representative s
from the greater school and local community in developing and implementing the Plan.
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan Guidelines Source: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
A. Anti-Bullying Priority Statement
The Needham Public Schools are committed to providing all students with a
learning environment that is free from bullying, cyber-bullying and retaliation.
We believe that preventing and intervening in these harmful behaviors is one
component of our larger effort to promote social skills within our school
environment. Our comprehensive efforts to support all students, preschool
through grade 12, include:
• implementing policies and practices to help students develop social and
emotional competencies;
• providing a caring and safe school environment where all students have
an opportunity to participate and learn;
• clearly articulating expectations for student behavior and providing the
support necessary to help each student meet those expectations; and
• developing and maintaining a Bullying Prevention Plan consistent with
State and Federal laws, Needham Public Schools core values, and best
educational practice.
3