GEMS Anti-Bullying Reporting

GEMS Anti-Bullying Policy

Bullying may occur when a student or group of students intentionally keeps hurting, frightening, threatening or excluding another student, or participates in organizing others to do so. Bullying may be verbal, written by any medium, relational, or be physical behavior over some duration. Bullying impacts in the following ways:
  1. has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive academic or school environment;
  2. has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic or school performance;
  3. has the effect of damaging an individual’s emotional or social well being; or
  4. otherwise adversely affects an individual's academic or schooling opportunities.

Bullying incidents may include but are not limited to the following:

  1. physical violence or assaults (hitting, kicking, pushing)
  2. threats, taunts and intimidation through words and/or gestures
  3. extortion, damage or stealing of money and/or possessions
  4. sexual (unwanted physical contact, attention, comments, images)
  5. homophobic (focusing on sexuality or sexual preference)
  6. name-calling and/or put-downs
  7. spreading rumors or gossip, or purposefully reporting false information
  8. using electronic devices to circulate gossip and rumors, sending abusive, harassing or threatening email, instant messages or other cyber-bullying.

Complaint Procedure

Complaints filed pursuant to this policy shall receive prompt and equitable resolution. Documentation of follow-through and resolution in all circumstances will be maintained.

Complaints alleging a student as offender

  1. A student’s parent/guardian may file a complaint on the student’s behalf. A complaint, filed in good faith, alleging a violation of the School’s Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Anti-Bullying policy against a student may be brought to the following officials.
                any staff member that the student, or parent of the student, chooses
                building Dean, or
                Superintendent
  2. School personnel should intervene promptly whenever they observe student conduct that has the purpose or effect of ridiculing, humiliating or intimidating another student/school personnel, even if such conduct does not meet the formal definition of harassment or bullying. A staff member either receiving a complaint, observing a violation, or substantiating a complaint of violation of the Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Anti-Bullying policy must intervene, and must document the complaint on the appropriate incident report. The report is forwarded within one school day to the building administrator who will investigate in a timely manner as required by law. Victims have the right to representation at their own expense.
  3. Communication with parents, subject to state and federal student records laws, of both the victim and perpetrator will occur. Continued reports on a particular student may involve parents in the development of further interventions or actions. A substantiated charge against a student in the School shall subject that student to disciplinary action consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, which may include suspension or expulsion. Participation in interventions does not supersede the possibility of disciplinary action.
  4. Any employee who violates this policy by allowing the conduct to go unaddressed will be disciplined. Such discipline may include reprimands, suspensions and/or removal.
  5. Semiannually a written summary of verified incidents will be provided to the Board of Education, and will be posted on the School web page.

Confidentiality

To the extent possible, the Superintendent treats as confidential all information received in connection with the filing, investigation, and resolution of complaints except to the extent it is necessary to disclose particulars in the course of the investigation. Parties to a complaint should observe the same standard of discretion and respect for the reputation of all parties involved in the process.

Students who believe that they have been bullied or have seen another student being bullied should immediately report the problem to a teacher or another staff member. Anyone who becomes aware of a bullying incident should report it to a teacher or school administration. 

 

GEMS community members can also fill out the online anti-bullying information form below at any time so that administration can be informed and help look into concerns.
GEMS Anti-Bullying Reporting

IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 911.

GEMS is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students. Bullying incidents can be reported directly to any staff member at school. GEMS students or their families may use this online form to report incidents.


We're here to help you! 

Your information will not be shared with anyone other than those involved with helping you and investigating your issue. The more you tell us, the more we can help you. 

If you choose to remain anonymous, we may not have enough information to properly address your situation or resolve your issue. Click here if you would like help on what to include in your report.

Warning: Any person who knowingly and willfully makes a false or misleading report or counsels another to make a false or misleading report may be subject to criminal and/or civil liability. Known violators are subject to prosecution to the maximum extent possible under the law. The IP address of the electronic device used for submitting information through this reporting system is logged and may be used to investigate any suspected false or misleading report.
I am a
First Name
Last Name
E-mail address
Phone number
Student grade
Name(s): of alleged offenders:
Name of Victim(s) (if any)
Name(s) of witness (if any)
Please describe the bullying incident. Try to include as many details as possible.
Check all that apply
Location where incident occurred (check all that apply)
Please indicate if you think the incident was motivated by any of the following (check all that apply)
Please upload any screenshots, photos, or other evidence that you would like to share.

To validate your submission, please answer the following math problem:

captcha math problem
View text-based website