Anti-Bullying and Harassment
In response to a new state law, the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for all Students Act, the School Board recently adopted a policy that prohibits bullying and harassment. The policy ensures that all students, employees, and volunteers learn and work in an environment that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying of any kind. Florida is now one of 32 states with a law regarding bullying in schools.
The Policy defines Bullying as systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees and may involve but is not limited to: teasing, social exclusion, threat, intimidation, stalking, including cyberstalking, physical violence, theft, sexual, religious, or racial harassment, public humiliation, and destruction of property.
The policy defines harassment as any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a student or employee that: Places a student or employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property, has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits, has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school.
Tarpon Springs Middle School is committed to providing a safe learning environment and will not tolerate bullying or harassment of any kind. Incidents of bullying or harassment can be reported to the principal, assistant principals or any trusted adult. Parents, students, and witnesses can report anonymously online:
Click Here
For more information about the Pinellas County School Board policy or bullying prevention and intervention:
Click Here
To learn more about bullying and find out what adults can do to help prevent it, visit the Say Something website at
http://www.saysomething.net
