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Bullying Prevention & Intervention
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These definitions, adapted from Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L) c. 71, § 37O and other sources, will help you to understand the language on this website and on the Newton Public Schools reporting forms.
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Bullying
Posted by:Bullying (including cyberbullying) is the repeated use by one or more students or staff member, of a written, verbal, or electronic communication or expression, or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target. Bullying results in the outcomes that:
• cause physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to his or her property;
• place the target in reasonable fear of harm to him or herself or of damage to his or her property;
• create a hostile environment at school for the target;
• infringe on the rights of the target at school; or
• materially and substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly operation of a school. -
Cyberbullying
Posted by:Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of technology or any electronic means or communication, including, but not limited to: any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo-electronic or photo-optical system, including but not limited to, electronic mail, internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications.
Cyberbullying shall also include: (i) the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or (ii) the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying. Cyber-bullying shall also include the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying.