ANTI-BULLYING POLICY/HARASSMENT POLICY: (K-8)
West Village Academy’s board of education prohibits acts of harassment or bullying. The
board of education has determined that a safe and civil environment in school is necessary
for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. Harassment or bullying, like
other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a student’s ability to learn
and a school’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment.
Demonstration of appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing
to tolerate harassment or bullying is expected of administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers
to provide positive examples for student behavior.
"Harassment or bullying" is any gesture or written, verbal, graphic, or physical act (including
electronically transmitted acts – i.e. internet, cell phone, Kindle, personal digital assistant
(PDA), MP3 player, iPad, iPod, or any other wireless hand held device) that is reasonably
perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race,
color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression; or a mental, physical, or sensory disability or impairment; or by any other
distinguishing characteristic. Such behavior is considered harassment or bullying whether it
takes place on or off school property, at any school-sponsored function, or in a school
vehicle.
“Harassment” is conduct that meets all of the following criteria:

is directed at one or more pupils;

substantially interferes with educational opportunities, benefits, or programs of one or
more pupils;

adversely affects the ability of a pupil to participate in or benefit from the school
district’s educational programs or activities because the conduct, as reasonably
perceived by the pupil, is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive as to have
this effect; and,

is based on a pupil’s actual or perceived distinguishing characteristic (see above), or
is based on an association with another person who has or is perceived to have any
of these characteristics.
"At school" means in a classroom, elsewhere on school premises, on a school bus or other
school- related vehicle, or at a school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on
school premises. “At school" includes conduct using a telecommunications access device or
telecommunications service provider that occurs off school premises if the
telecommunications access device or the telecommunications service provider is owned by
or under the control of the school.
Procedure Steps:
1. ( r e p o r t i n g ) Any school employee who has witnessed or has reliable
information that a student has been subject to any act of bullying or harassing
behaviors hall report the incident to the principal or designee. A student,
volunteer, or visitor who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student
has been subject to any act of bullying or harassing behavior are encouraged to
report the incident to a teacher, other staff member or the principal. Reporting
may be done anonymously via the bullying hotline (313)202-4585.
2. ( r e s p o n d i n g t o a l l e g a t i o n ) A report of bullying or harassing behavior
should be done in written form, providing as much information as possible.
3. ( i n v e s t i g a t i o n ) Any staff member who receives a report of bullying or
harassing behavior shall Immediately forward the report to the principal or
designee who will ensure that a prompt investigation is completed. The
investigation is to be complete within three (3)school days after a report or
complaint is made.
4. ( c o r r e c t i v e m e a s u r e s a n d c o n s e q u e n c e s ) Within two (2)school days
of receiving a report of a prohibited act of bullying, the principal or his/her
designee shall notify the parent of the alleged victim of bullying and the parent of
the alleged perpetrator of bullying. Upon completion of the investigation report,
the principal or his/her designee shall notify the parent of both the victim and
perpetrator of the result of the investigation. If there is evidence to support the
act of bullying, the perpetrator will receive an immediate Level 5.
5. (support for the targeted student) Any student found to have been subject to
harassment, intimidation or bullying will have appropriate WVA support services.
Any student who is found to have falsely accused another of bullying or
harassment is subject to remedial action in accordance with the Student Code of
Conduct. Bullying or harassing behavior is a violation of the Student Code of
Conduct and will result in disciplinary action pursuant to the Student Code of
Conduct.
6. (retaliation)There will be no reprisal al or retaliation against any person who
reports an act of bullying or harassment. Such reprisal al or retaliation by a
student is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will result in
disciplinary action pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct.
The Board of Directors endeavors to ensure that the school is a safe place for teaching,
learning, and working. The school will take swift and appropriate disciplinary action for the
following infractions: