Bullying Prevention & Intervention

Whether you are a student, a parent, or a staff person working at a Newton school, we are glad you are visiting the Newton Public Schools (NPS) Bullying Prevention and Intervention website. These pages contain the NPS policies and procedures in regard to preventing and responding to bullying behaviors. Additionally, as you explore these pages, you will find a wealth of information about bullying prevention, curriculum, and other resources. 

The content of these pages is guided by the belief that all students of the school community deserve the opportunity to learn in an environment where they feel safe. Students, parents, and staff all have a role to play in building positive environments for youth, and in promoting acceptance and respect among all individuals.

Bullying is defined as 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 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.

The Office of Teaching & Learning supports the district Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy and Plan by establishing and implementing research-based anti-bullying curricula at each level, and by providing anti-bullying training to staff each year.

The curricula and lessons used at each level includes:

• Grades K-5: Responsive Classroom, Bully-Proofing Your Classroom, Library Internet Safety Lessons
• Middle School: Responsive Classroom, Second Step, and school-developed materials
• Grades 6-12: CyberBullying prevention lessons
• High School: School-developed materials