Information on How to Report Bullying and Harassment in ACSD #1

What is bullying? How do you report it? What does the School Do?

With the excitement and anticipation that comes every fall with the start of the school year it is also important to talk about bullying and harassment in schools, so that all students have a safe environment to learn in. With that said, it is also important to make sure that Albany County School District #1 (ACSD #1):

Defines our definition and processes for bullying for our community
Informs students and families in our community of how to report potential bullying behavior
Communicate the steps that ACSD #1 takes in addressing potential bullying situations.

It is important to clearly define what terms like bullying and harassment include in ACSD #1. Specific words activate specific processes. What a parent might call one action, the school may define as something different. Regardless of what the actions or behaviors are called, ensuring that the school address these unwanted and/or unappropriated actions as soon as possible, so that students can have a safe environment to learn will be a priority to ACSD #1.

What is Bullying?

ACSD #1 recognizes that Bullying (click here for additional information) is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance as stated from US Department of Health and Human Services. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and those who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

ACSD #1 School Board Policy #4021 and Wyoming Statute 21-4-312 define “Harassing, Intimidation or Bullying” behavior as harming a student (physically or emotionally), students causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the schools or creating an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student or group of students through sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive behavior.

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include the following:

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. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

How Can Students/Families Report Unwanted Behavior

ACSD #1 takes reports of this type of conduct seriously. Students or parents/guardians of ACSD #1 students who are being impacted by bullying or any form of harassment are encouraged to communicate with staff members throughout the district. This initial report will start an initial investigation that allows for the opportunity to discuss the resources and response options available through our district. Students or parents/guardians may report concerns of bullying/harassment to any of the following ACSD #1 personnel:

Paraeducators, Bus Drivers, Campus/Bus Monitors
Teachers
Counselors
Administrative Staff
Building Principals and/or Assistant Principals
Central Office Administrators
Any ACSD#1 Employee

ACSD #1’s Investigation Process

Once an administrator is made aware of a potential incident an informal investigation is conducted using the McGrath 5-point Criterion to determine the severity and the next course of action.

That following is that criterion:

Did harm Occur/was a protected class targeted?
Was the Behavior unwelcome or unwanted?
Is the behavior Severe and/or Pervasive?
Is the behavior objectionably offensive and does the unwanted behavior substantially interfere with the students’ educational experience?
Does the unwanted behavior unreasonably disrupt the educational environment?

The McGrath Response System thoroughly addresses Title VI (discrimination based on race, color, and national origin), Title VII (sexual harassment in employment) and Title IX (discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in education), in addition to intake and investigation of bullying concerns. It covers student-to-student, student-to-staff, staff-to-staff, and staff-to-student issues and is compliant with the new Title IX Final Rule. Schools need to ensure that employees are trained so that those with authority to address harassment, misconduct, discrimination, and bullying know how to respond appropriately, and other responsible employees know that they are obligated to report to appropriate school officials. Failing to identify, report, and investigate these behaviors can result in great harm to the students and staff and expose the district and the individual to legal liability (for more information about McGrath please click here (McGrath Website).”

Regardless of the findings from this process, School District Personnel will work together with students and families to develop supportive measures to work toward an environment where students are safe and can focus on being in school.

Wellness & Safety

Mental Health Resources

Cook Center for Human Connection

ACSD#1 Wellness

How to Report Bullying at ACSD#1

Prohibiting Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Including Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment Including Sexual Violence

Inquires Regarding Policies