A closer look at schools’ policies

    Two public and one private school in Houlton submitted their policies on bullying.
    At SAD 29, the definition of bullying is: A deliberate, hurtful behavior; it may be repeated over a period of time; it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves; the person being bullied has stated that he/she finds the behavior hurtful; it may be physical (hitting, taking/damaging belongings, pushing, tripping and such); it may be verbal (name-calling, insulting, racist remarks, threatening or intimidating); it my be indirect (spreading of stories verbally or in writing, excluding from groups, making someone feel uncomfortable.
    With each offense, there is detention or suspension depending on the severity of the incident.
    “Bullying, as defined in this policy, is not acceptable conduct in MSAD 70 schools and is prohibited. Any student who engages in conduct that constitutes bullying shall be subject to disciplinary consequences up to and including suspension and expulsion. A student’s bullying behavior may also be addressed through other behavioral interventions.”
    The SAD 70 definition of bullying is as follows: Any physical act or gesture or any verbally, written or electronically communicated expression that (A.) A reasonable person should expect will have the effect of: physical or emotionally harming a student or damaging a student’s property; placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his/her property or substantially disrupting the instructional program or the orderly operations of the school; (B.) Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates intimidating, hostile educational environment for the student who is bullied.
    “In determining the appropriate response to students who engage in bullying behavior, school administrators should consider the ages and maturity of students involved, the type of behaviors, the frequency and/or pattern of behaviors, the context in which the incident occurred, and other relevant circumstances. Consequences may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension, expulsion and/or reports to law enforcement officials,” the Bullying Policy states.
    The Greater Houlton Christian Academy is becoming firmer and more specific about cyber-bullying in the last year, said Headmaster John Bishop.
    GHCA added the policy into its Student Anti-Harassment Policy, which was added to the Family Handbook and is addressed in the computer/Internet acceptable use policy, as well.
    Cyber-bullying is listed in the ‘Most Serious Offenses’ category of our Secondary Disciplinary Procedure. Infractions in this category are considered to be destructive in nature to the offender, to the victim, to the school, and to the reputation of Christ and, therefore, receive the most serious consequences, up to and including expulsion and reporting to law enforcement officials.
    While it is obvious that GHCA administration has no direct control over the behavioral choices its students make when off-campus, they reserve the right to discipline a student for off-campus conduct — such as cyber-bullying — which is disruptive to the school community and harmful to Christian testimony.