Young boys playing on floor

Bullying Prevention

"In accordance with state law, it is the policy of the Board of Education that any form of bullying behavior, whether in the classroom, on school property, on a school bus, or at school-sponsored events, is expressly forbidden." (Board of Education Policy 5131.911)

The health and welfare of every student in the Simsbury Public Schools is important to us, and bullying is a very serious issue that can jeopardize a child's positive educational experience. In keeping with our belief in nurturing the whole child--including aspects of personal, physical, civic and social development--this area of our website was developed to provide parents, students, and the community with information related to bullying. We are all partners in this battle against what can be very harmful to a child's well-being. Please take a moment to review our policies and other resources below. If you have a question about our policies or if you are a parent or student who has a concern about a potential bullying situation, please contact a school principal or administrator.

INDIVIDUAL SAFE SCHOOL ACTION PLANS

BULLYING POLICY STATEMENT

Bullying behavior by any student in the Simsbury Public Schools is strictly prohibited, and such conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion from school.

“Bullying” means the repeated use by one or more students of a written, oral or electronic communication, such as cyberbullying, directed at or referring to another student attending school in the same school district, or a physical act or gesture by one or more students repeatedly directed at another student attending school in the same school district, that:

  1. causes physical or emotional harm to such student or damage to such student’s property;
  2. places such student in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself, or of damage to his or her property;
  3. creates a hostile environment at school for such student;
  4. infringes on the rights of such student at school; or
  5. substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

Bullying shall include, but not be limited to, a written, verbal or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.

"School-sponsored activity" shall mean any activity conducted on or off school property (including school buses and other school-related vehicles) that is sponsored, recognized, or authorized by the Board of Education. The Board policy and regulation #5131.911 set forth this prohibition and the related procedures in detail, and are available to students and their parents/guardians.

Policies & Procedures

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy (Simsbury Public Schools, Policy 5131.911)

District Safe School Climate Plan (Simsbury Public Schools, Policy 5131.912)

Web Links

Bullying and Harassment Guide for Parents/Guardians (State Department of Education publication)

The online version of bullying (called "cyberbullying") is addressed on our Social Networking page.