Vermilion Parish School System outlines bullying, hazing policies

Last week the Vermilion Parish School Board adopted the state’s bullying and hazing policy.
The parish had its policy, which piggybacked on the state’s policy. However, that was scratched, and the school board put the state’s bullying and hazing policy into the school district’s handbook.
The state’s bullying policy explains the definition of bullying.
• A pattern of any one or more of the following.
A. Gestures, including but not limited to obscene gestures and making faces.
B: Written, electronic, or verbal communications, including but not limited to calling names, threatening harm, taunting, malicious teasing, and spreading untrue rumors. Electronic communication includes but is not limited to a communication or image transmitted by email, instant message, text message, blog, or social networking website through a telephone, mobile phone, pager, computer, and another electronic device.
C. Physical acts, including but not limited to hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, choking, damaging personal property, and unauthorized use of the personal property.
D. Repeatedly and purposely shunning or excluding from activities.
The policy said each school should institute a program to prohibit and prevent bullying.
The program shall ensure everyone who works for the school, including volunteers, knows his or her duties and responsibilities relative to preventing and stopping bullying.

Reporting bullying or hazing

The reporting of bulling or hazing shall be made on the “Bully Report” form, which shall include an affirmation of truth.
Any student who believes that they have been or is the victim of bullying or hazing, or anyone who witnesses bullying or hazing may report the situation to a school official who shall report the incident to the principal, teacher or counselor or any other school employee.

Investigating bullying

Once a bullying or hazing report is filled out, the school shall begin an investigation the next school day. The investigation shall be completed as fast as possible in 10 school days.

Parent notification

Once the school receives a report of bullying or hazing, a parent or legal guardian has to be told by the following school day.

Failing to act

Any school employee who witnesses bullying or receives a report of bullying from an alleged victim and who fails to report bullying shall be investigated by the school board. Depending on the findings, the school board could suspend the employee without pay. The School Board shall determine the length of the suspension.
Any school administration fails to notify a parent or legal guardian promptly, and the school board shall suspend the administrator without pay. In addition, the school board shall report each finding of a failure to report a bullying complaint to the Louisiana Department of Education.