Parent Communication - Two Rivers Magnet Middle School!

Sexual harassment is forbidden and will not be tolerated. It is our policy to maintain a learningenvironment free from sexual harassment, insults, and intimidation. Evidence of reprisal against acomplainant or witness shall be viewed as a violation of this policy.Any student who believes he or she has been subject to sexual harassment should report the incidentimmediately to his or her school principal, associate principal, or guidance counselor. Two Rivers willrespect the confidentiality rights of the complainant and the individual(s) against whom the complaint hasbeen filed as much as possible given the necessity to investigate allegations and take disciplinary actionwhen sexual harassment has occurred. If a student is found to have engaged in sexual harassment they willbe subject to immediate disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from school, and/or referral tolegal authorities for prosecution as judged appropriate on a case-by-case basis.Hazing"Hazing" is defined as committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act,that creates a risk of harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with astudent organization, or for any other purpose. The term hazing includes, but is not limited to: Any type of physical brutality, sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, confinement in arestricted area, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects the student to risk of harm or thatadversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of hazing or any person with knowledge or beliefor conduct which may constitute hazing shall report the alleged acts immediately to a schooladministrator.Bullying (CREC Schools Policy 5131.911)RATIONALE: The purpose of the policy on bullying is to promote consistency of approach and tocreate a climate in which all types of bullying are regarded as unacceptable. Attitudes and practices cancontribute to bullying, to lower levels of confidence, self-esteem, and lack of achievement.AIMS: The anti-bullying program within the CREC schools seeks to accomplish the following goals: To promote a secure and happy environment free from threat, harassment, and any type ofbullying behavior. To take positive action to prevent bullying from occurring. To inform parents and students of the school's expectations and to foster a productive- 17 -partnership, which helps to maintain a bully-free environment.Make staff aware of their role in fostering the knowledge and attitudes, which will be required toachieve the above aims.DEFINITION OF BULLYING: Bullying as defined by Connecticut statue is "any overt acts by astudent or a group of students directed against another student with the intent to ridicule, harass,humiliate, or intimidate the other student while on school grounds or at a school sponsored activity, oron a school bus, which acts are committed more than once against any student during the school year." Itcan also be defined as repeated and systematic harassment and attacks on others, perpetrated byindividuals or groups. Bullying takes many forms and can include many different behaviors, such as butnot limited to:1. physical violence and attacks2. verbal taunts, name-calling and put-downs including ethnically-based and gender-basedverbal put-downs3. threats and intimidation4. extortion or stealing of money and/or possessions5. exclusion from peer groups within the school