Bullying prevention lesson aired to Weymouth school committee - Weymouth, Massachusetts - Weymouth News

Bullying prevention lesson aired to Weymouth school committee - Weymouth, Massachusetts - Weymouth News
Weymouth —

Students who bully a classmate over the weekend or during a non-school event will be penalized under a bullying prevention and intervention plan that the school committee is reviewing.
“If a bullying incident occurs over the weekend and a student is fearful of being in class with the individual, the school administration can investigate,” she told the committee on Nov. 18. “If harassment occurs off the school grounds, it can be investigated.”
The school district handbook defines bullying as an act by one or more students that includes intimidating a classmate verbally, physically, mentally, and/or with written messages
School officials additionally prohibit students from “cyber-bullying.”
This method of harassment includes sending a classmate an online message or image from a school computer that is intended to be defaming, intimidating, humiliating, or imply harm to him or her.
School administrators are proposing to strengthen the policy against cyber bullying by students who use their home computer, iPod, cell phone, or electronic equipment to send a classmate a harassing message.
The plan would also require punishment to be administered to students who bully a classmate at a school bus stop or vehicle that is used by the district.
“We are trying to take a positive approach,” DeMello said. “The plan we created was provided a model to follow by the state, and we have a large committee that is working on it.”