What is bullying?
"Bullying" (per IC 20-33-8-.2) means overt, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications or images transmitted in any manner (including digitally or electronically), physical acts committed, aggression, or any other behaviors, that are committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other targeted student and create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment that: (1) places the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to the targeted student's person or property; (2) has a substantially detrimental effect on the targeted student's physical or mental health; (3) has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student's academic performance; or (4) has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, and privileges provided by the school.
State definition and categories of bullying
The School Board is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and nurturing educational environment for all of its students. The Board encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between members of the school community. (Read more about policy 5517.01)
How do I report bullying?
Any student who believes s/he has been or is currently the victim of bullying should immediately report the situation to the building principal or assistant principal or the Superintendent. The student also may report concerns to a teacher or counselor who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator or Board official. This report may be made anonymously Complaints against the building principal should be filed with the Superintendent. Complaints against the Superintendent should be filed with the Board President. A parent may file a complaint on behalf of a student in the same manner.
What does KVSC do to prevent bullying?
Kankakee Valley Schools provides training to the school corporation’s employees and volunteers who have direct, ongoing contact with students concerning the corporation's bullying prevention policy, plans, and procedures. Students are also introduced to an anti-bullying based curriculum.
For additional information and resources, please visit the Indiana Department of Education's Bullying & Cyberbullying Prevention and Response page.
