Bullying Policy
BULLYING
A safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and attain high academic standards and to promote healthy
human relationships. Bullying, like other violent or disruptive behavior, is conduct that interferes with students' ability to
learn and teachers' ability to educate students in a safe environment. The Anamoose & Drake Public School Districts are
committed to positive interactions and understanding that these ‘bullying behaviors’ are not acceptable. Additionally
DAHS & ADES will monitor and promote the best of cultures between our students, faculty, parents, and community as our
first level of action. It is the school district's intent to prevent bullying and to take action to investigate, respond, remediate,
and discipline those acts of bullying which have not been successfully prevented. The purpose of this policy is to assist the
Anamoose & Drake Public School Districts in its goal of preventing and responding to acts of bullying, intimidation,
violence, and other similar disruptive behavior.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
A. An act of bullying, by either an individual student or a group of students, is expressly prohibited on school district
property or at school-related functions, including school buses. This policy applies not only to students who directly engage
in an act of bullying but also to students who, by their indirect behavior, condone or support another student's act of
bullying. This policy also applies to any student whose conduct at any time or in any place constitutes bullying that
interferes with or obstructs the mission or operations of the school district or the safety or welfare of the student, other
students, or employees.
B. No teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district shall permit, condone, or
tolerate bullying.
C. Apparent permission or consent by a student being bullied does not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.
D. Retaliation against a victim, good faith reporter, a witness of bullying, or the alleged perpetrator is prohibited.
E. False accusations or reports of bullying against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other
employee of the school district are prohibited.
F. A person who engages in an act of bullying, reprisal, or false reporting of bullying or permits, condones, or tolerates
bullying shall be subject to discipline for that act in accordance with school district's policies and procedures. The school
district may take into account the following factors:
1. The developmental and maturity levels of the parties involved;
2. The levels of harm, surrounding circumstances, and nature of the behavior;
3. Past incidences or past or continuing patterns of behavior;
4. The relationship between the parties involved; and
5. The context in which the alleged incidents occurred.
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Consequences for students who commit prohibited acts of bullying may range from positive behavioral
interventions up to and including suspension and/or expulsion.
Consequences for employees who permit, condone, or tolerate bullying or engage in an act of reprisal or intentional
false reporting of bullying may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or discharge.
Consequences for other individuals engaging in prohibited acts of bullying may include, but not be limited to,
exclusion from school district property and events and/or termination of services and/or contracts.
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G. The Anamoose & Drake Public School Districts will act to investigate all complaints of bullying and will discipline or
take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school
district who is found to have violated this policy.
DEFINITIONS
Bullying is defined as conduct prescribed in NDCC 15.1-19-17.
1. "Bullying" means:
a. Conduct that occurs in a public school, on school district premises, in a district owned or leased school bus or
school vehicle, or at any public school or school district sanctioned or sponsored activity or event and which:
(1) Is so severe, pervasive, or objectively offensive that it substantially interferes with the student's educational
opportunities;
(2) Places the student in actual and reasonable fear of harm;
(3) Places the student in actual and reasonable fear of damage to property of the student; or
(4) Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the public school; or
b. Conduct that is received by a student while the student is in a public school, on school district premises, in a
district owned or leased school bus or school vehicle, or at any public school or school district sanctioned or
sponsored activity or event and which:
(1) Is so severe, pervasive, or objectively offensive that it substantially interferes with the student's educational
opportunities;
(2) Places the student in actual and reasonable fear of harm;
(3) Places the student in actual and reasonable fear of damage to property of the student; or
(4) Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the public school.
2. "Conduct" includes the use of technology or other electronic media.
REPORTING PROCEDURE
Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of bullying or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct that
may constitute bullying shall report the alleged acts immediately to the appropriate school district officials (teachers,
administrators, coaches/advisors and other employees). A student may report bullying anonymously, but action may not be
taken against an alleged perpetrator based solely on an anonymous report.
A teacher, school administrator(s), volunteer, contractor, or other school employee shall be particularly alert to possible
situations, circumstances, or events that might include bullying. Any such person who receives a report of, observes, or has
other knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute bullying shall inform the building principal.
The Anamoose & Drake Public School Districts will respect the privacy of the complainant(s), the individual(s) against
whom the complaint is filed, and the witnesses as much as possible, consistent with the school district's obligation to
investigate, take appropriate action, and comply with any legal disclosure obligations.
SCHOOL DISTRICT ACTION
Upon receipt of a complaint or report of bullying, the Anamoose & Drake Public School Districts shall undertake or
authorize an investigation by school district officials or a third party designated by the school district.
Upon completion of the investigation, the school district will take appropriate action. Such action may include, but is not
limited to: warning, suspension, restriction/exclusion, expulsion, transfer, remediation, termination, or discharge.
Bullying violations may be handled by the student’s classroom teacher or by a school official with disciplinary authority
when the student is not under the supervision of a classroom teacher. If the teacher/school official did not witness the
bullying behavior, s/he will investigate to determine if the student was in violation of conduct standards. In addition,
teachers/school officials with disciplinary authority are authorized to respond to violations by invoking one or more of the
following options, such as, but not limited to:
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- Teach/Reteach the appropriate behavior;
- Contact the student’s parents;
- Develop a behavior adjustment plan (i.e., fix-it plan, apology plan, and restitution plan);
- Hold a conference with the student’s parent/guardian;
- Restrict or withdraw student privileges;
These offenses shall be reported to the building administrator(s). A teacher or school official referring a student to the
building administrator(s) as a result of a potential violation shall complete a report of bullying or harassment (if deemed
appropriate) for the principal to review. The administrator(s) shall conduct further investigation as deemed necessary and
shall include his/her findings on the report. This report may be placed in the student’s educational record at the
administrator’s discretion in accordance with applicable policy and law. If a violation is substantiated, the administrator(s)
is authorized to respond by invoking one or more of the following options:
- Parent contact;
- Withdraw a student’s privileges;
- Refer the student to a school counselor;
- Create a behavioral adjustment plan;
- Hold a conference with the student’s parent/guardian and classroom teacher;
- Require the student to attend detention;
- Impose in or out of school suspension. The action shall only be taken in accordance with due process procedures
contained in the district’s suspension and expulsion policy;
- Explore alternative placement within the current school setting; (e.g., alternative schedule, change of setting
within the building);
- Expulsion in accordance with district policy;
- Referral to outside agency
- Other responses as indicated in district policy
For bullying initiated off campus and received on campus (e.g. cyberbullying), the Districts only have the authority to
impose disciplinary measures if the bullying substantially disrupted the educational environment or posed a true threat. In
all other cases of off campus bullying received on campus, the Districts may only take corrective measures as described in
the top five items above.
*Parent contact is critical to resolution, thus if when this contact is necessary and required and there is not contact the
student may be kept from school until the contact is made.
REPRISAL
Anamoose & Drake Public School Districts will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher,
administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district who retaliates against any person who makes a
good faith report of alleged bullying or participates in an investigation, a proceeding or hearing relating to such bullying.
Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, harassment, or intentional disparate treatment.
Established 2012
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COMPLAINT REPORT - Bullying
• Bullying is defined by the victim/target, not by the bully. Bullying means any physical, written or verbal expression
(including the use of electronic technologies) or pattern that is intended to cause or does cause distress to one or more
students. It includes three important components: *Bullying is aggressive behavior that involved unwanted negative actions
*Bullying involves a pattern of behavior *Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength
• Responding to bullying with bullying is not acceptable.
Complainant: _________________________
Student/grade or
Employee (circle)
Home Address: _______________________
Phone: _________________
School: ______________________________
Date: _____________________
Summary of the Alleged Complaint/Conduct
1. Date(s) on which alleged conduct occurred:
2. Names of witnesses (please specify whether employee, student, or other):
3. Name(s) of the alleged offender(s) (If known) Please Print
4. Where did the incident happen (choose all that apply)
On school property
On a school bus
On the way to/from school
At a school sponsored activity or event off school property
5. Describe in detail the specific incident(s) that are the basis of this complaint. Include verbal statements (e.g. threats,
demands), or physical threats that are relevant. (Use additional sheets if needed.)
6. Identify or list the behavior or the types of behavior using the following check sheet:
Verbal Aggression:
• Name calling
• Mocking, teasing, or using
sarcasm
• Intimidating phone calls
• Spreading rumors
• Threats
• Making noises at someone
Intimidation:
• Publicly challenging others
to do something they don't
want to do
• Playing a dirty trick
• Taking things
• Demanding money or other
things
Electronic:
• Text messaging
• Instant messaging
• Social networking
• Telephone calls
• Photos
Emotional:
• Excluding
• Tormenting
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• Hiding or taking things
• Threatening gestures
• Ridicule
• Staring
Physical Aggression:
• Pushing
• Kicking
• Punching
• Slapping
• Spitting
• Tripping
• Pinching
Sexual:
• Touching
• Dirty jokes or sexual
language
• Unwanted flirting
• Inviting out on dates or to
go steady when they've
said they are not interested
• Name calling
drawing
Other:
_______________________
_______________________
Racial:
• Derogatory comments or
name calling about physical,
behavioral, or cultural
differences
Written:
• Threatening or
inappropriate notes or
Did a physical injury result from the incident?
No
Yes, but it did not require medical attention
Yes, medical attention was required
7. Was the student victim/target absent from school as a result of the incident?
Yes
No
If yes, how many days?
What actions would you request be taken for restitution/recovery?
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the statements made in this complaint are true and accurate, and that I have read and understand the
statements made in the acknowledgments section of the complaint.
______________________________________
Signature of Complainant – (No signature required if reported anonymously
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