Newport Middle School The Quest Newport Middle School

Newport Middle School

The Quest……. . • Newport Middle School Building Rules 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Be where you are supposed to be Listen to and follow directions Perform safe activities and actions Treat others and our environment with respect Use good manners Always do your best

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include: 1. An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. 2. Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once. Types of Bullying There are four types of bullying: Verbal bullying includes: Teasing, Name-calling, Inappropriate sexual comments, Taunting, Threatening to cause harm. Social bullying involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes: Leaving someone out on purpose, Telling other children not to be friends with someone, Spreading rumors about someone, Embarrassing someone in public Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes: Hitting/kicking/pinching, Spitting, Tripping/pushing, Taking or breaking someone’s things, Making mean or rude hand gestures Cyber bullying involves the use of technology to promote social or verbal bullying. Cyber bullying can be conducted through the use of the internet, email, phones, texting, social networks, chat rooms, and/or other devices.

Harassment/Sexual Harassment includes but is not limited to repeated, unwelcome and offensive slurs, jokes, or other verbal, graphic or physical conduct relating to an individual's race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or handicap/disability that create an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other inappropriate verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature Examples of sexual harassment include but are not limited to: sexual flirtations, advances, touching or propositions; pinching, patting, poking, or rubbing; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; graphic or suggestive comments about an individual's dress or body; sexually degrading words or gestures to describe an individual; jokes, graffiti, vulgar statements, spreading sexual gossip, abusive language, innuendoes, references to sexual activities, overt sexual conduct; or any conduct that has the effect of unreasonably interfering with a student's ability to work or learn.

Effects of Bullying/Harassment/Sexual Harassment Impact on Victims – Becomes a distraction from the educational process leading to lower grades and poorer assessment results – Can impact or reduce an individual’s self-esteem leading to mental health and other problems such as social isolation – Can lead to increased absenteeism from school – Could lead to public humiliation or embarrassment – Can lead to bodily injury – Causes strained relationships among peers and peer groups Impact on School • • Leads to a negative school climate and culture Effects student performance on assessments Makes the school a less attractive place to attend and learn Infringes upon everyone’s right to learn in a safe, secure, and trusting environment

Impact on Perpetrator or Offender • • • Leads to discipline consequences Leads to a negative reputation Can lead to increased difficulty with peers, arguments, confrontations, and fights Can lead to a decrease in self-esteem and other mental health problems Can lead to criminal consequences and repercussions

Reporting Bullying or Harassment 1. Make mental notes about the incident including: 1. 2. 3. 4. Time of the incident Location Witnesses Specific details – Words used, gestures made, who participated, etc. 2. Tell an adult immediately 3. Ask to fill out a Bullying/Harassment Report Form 4. Submit Bullying/Harassment Report to the office in a timely manner (ASAP)

Newport Middle School Responses • Teachers have a form to fill out if they witness a bullying or harassment situation. • Every form completed is looked into and responded to by the principal and/or guidance counselor. • Students are spoken to about their role in the situation and a determination is made as to whether bullying or harassment can be proven • If proven, consequences will be assigned immediately ranging from after-school detention to out of school suspension depending upon the severity and nature of the incident. • Repeat offenders are punished more significantly for each incident which could include the involvement of the local or state police. • If bullying or harassment is not proven, the form is kept as a record to help establish a pattern of behavior. If a pattern is established, consequences will be assigned. • Anyone filing false reports or making untrue accusations of bullying or harassment are at risk of school wide and legal consequences as well.

Harassing Witnesses/Reporters • This is a very serious form of harassment or bullying as it is intended to continue this negative cycle and keep students from doing the right thing which is reporting bullying or harassment • It appears in many forms: name calling (snitch, tattle-tale, baby, rat, etc. ), threats (“snitches get stitches”), notes, Facebook posts, etc. • If a student is found to be harassing a witness or reporter, consequences will be greater ranging from in-school suspension to police involvement for the very first infraction regardless of when or where the incident occurs

On a Quest to be our Best! B E S T Believe in yourself and the others here to support you Enjoy your middle school experience and learning new things Set goals for yourself and work towards them Try your hardest in everything you do