Belmont Academy Charter School
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy
Mission: Our purpose, in partnership with the Belmont Community, is to promote the academic, social, and emotional success of each child.
Purpose: Belmont Academy Charter School is committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for all of our students. Belmont recognizes that bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious behaviors. Demonstration of appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment of bullying is expected of administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers to provide positive examples for student behavior.
Definition of bullying: As defined by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, bullying means an intentional electronic,
written, verbal or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, in a school setting and/or outside a school setting,
that is severe, persistent or pervasive and has any of the following effects:
• Substantial interference with a student’s education.
• Creation of a threatening environment.
• Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.
Bullying may also involve cyber bullying in which students are bullied via email, chat rooms, and blogs. Examples of common mediums that students
may use are MySpace and face book.
Three Types of Bullying: Belmont Academy Charter School recognizes that bullying and harassment is manifested in various forms. The three forms
of bullying are:
• Physical: the most commonly known form; including hitting, kicking, pushing, and taking personal belongings.
• Verbal: includes taunting, teasing, name calling, and threats.
• Psychological: involves spreading rumors, manipulating social relationships, and engaging in social exclusion, extortion, or intimidation.
Enforcement and Reporting Procedures:
Belmont Academy Charter School directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are
verified. Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained and consistent with Belmont’s investigative obligations.
Bystander support of harassment or bullying can sustain the continuation of such behaviors. Belmont Academy defines bystander support as any student or staff
member who knowingly dismisses any act of harassment or bullying without action such as reporting or confronting bullying or harassment of students.
Belmont Academy Charter School prohibits both active and passive support for acts of harassment or bullying. Staff should encourage students and peers to support
students who walk away from these acts when they see them, constructively attempt to stop them, or report them to the designated authority.
Communication to Staff, Students, and Families:
Belmont Academy Charter School will post the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy on the Community Education Alliance web-site, in the Student/Parent
Handbook, given to each staff member, and sent home with a letter explaining the importance of enforcing the policy. Belmont Academy Charter School will provide
professional development on the policy and a variety of strategies and resources to use in and out of the classroom. Belmont Academy Charter School will also post
signs that communicate our No Bullying Policy.
Belmont Academy Charter School requires the Charter Director to annually distribute the policy to all school staff, students, and parents, along with a statement
explaining that the policy addresses all acts of bullying and harassment that occur on school property, at school sponsored events, and or actions off
school property in which impedes student learning or feeling of safety on or around school grounds.
Reporting Procedures:
Belmont Academy Charter School requires the Charter Director and/or the Assistant Director to be responsible for receiving complaints alleging violations
of this policy. All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the Charter Director and/or Assistant Director. All other
members of the school community, including parents, volunteers, and visitors, are encouraged to report any act that may be in violation of this policy.
Reports may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report.
Belmont Academy Charter School requires the Charter Director and/or Assistant Director to be responsible for determining weather an alleged act constitutes
a violation of this policy. The Charter Director and/or Assistant Director must conduct a prompt, thorough, and complete investigation of each alleged
incident. The investigation is to be completed within three school days after a report or complaint is made.