Bullying, harassment, or intimidation in any fashion is unacceptable behavior and is prohibited at school. The Intermediate Center strives to create a school community where all people are welcome and students learn to be respectful, responsible, and ready when working with others. To learn more about our proactive efforts, please visit our Social Emotional Learning page.
Despite our best efforts, peer conflict will happen. When it does, it is important to know when it reaches the level of bullying. Our school counselor teaches all students how to recognize, report, and refuse bullying. Check out Mr. Buddy's lesson here.
According to stopbullying.gov, “Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:
- An Imbalance of Power: Individuals who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or social status—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. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.”
Bullying is not perceptions of rudeness, criticism, “not getting your way,” healthy peer conflict, isolated and unintentional physical contact, or lack of consideration. These are examples of conduct that are unlikely to constitute bullying, harassment, and/or intimidation.
Regardless of whether the problem is bullying or not, we want to know about it, so we can address it. Please notify the Dean of Students, Megan Erickson, if your student is struggling with a peer conflict.
If you believe the behavior does constitute bullying, you need to document your concern by completing this form and submitting it to the Dean of Students or the Principal, Katie Hauge. When this form is submitted, an investigation into the issue will begin and will be completed within 10 school days.
To learn more about our Anti-Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation Procedures, read the administrative regulations here to learn more.
The Mount Horeb Area School District subscribes to the philosophy that bullying, harassment, or intimidation in any fashion is unacceptable behavior. The School District sets high expectations for students and staff and expects that students and staff act as role models of excellent behavior across all environments and the community. Bullying, harassing, and intimidating behavior is prohibited in all schools, buildings, property, and educational environments, including any property or vehicle owned, leased, or used by the school district. Educational environments include, but are not limited to, every activity under school supervision. This policy includes interactions between students or staff and other students, parents, community members, or other Mount Horeb Area School District employees.
Policy #443.71 and Administrative Regulation #443.71A
