5.12 - Bullying
5.12 - Bullying
Bullying is not tolerated at Liberty Common School (LCS). In accordance with Section 22-32-109 (2)(a)(I) through (X), C.R.S (2002), LCS promotes prevention and effective, consistent responses to incidents of bullying. This policy complies with all applicable state laws, rules, and school-district policies.
Bullying betrays Respect, Citizenship, Self-Control, and Responsibility as set forth in the school’s Foundation Stones; and, Justice and Temperance as set forth in the school’s Capstone Virtues. Bystanders who fail to take action in the presence of bullying betray the Capstone Virtues of Fortitude, Gratitude, Prudence, and Patriotism. The purpose of this policy (Policy) is to make clear Liberty Common School’s position on all forms of bullying, observations of bullying, and to establish procedures to be followed where bullying is known or alleged to have occurred.
This Policy specifically addresses bullying by LCS students and students visiting from other schools. Incidents of bullying shall be treated with the seriousness they deserve, promptly and fairly for the benefit of all parties concerned.
Students shall not engage in any form of bullying as defined by law or in this Policy.
LCS is committed to providing a safe place for learning, teaching, and gathering free from unlawful harassment and power-imbalances that result from bullying. The adoption and enforcement of the provisions of this Policy are in keeping with this commitment.
5.12.1 Bullying is hereby defined as:
- Any written or verbal expression, or physical or electronic act or gesture, or a pattern thereof, that is intended to coerce, intimidate, or cause any physical, mental, or emotional harm to any student; or,
- Aggressive behavior that results in an imbalance of power, such as but not limited to a student’s use of physical strength, a credible threat to use force or coercion, access to embarrassing information, and/or popularity to control or harm others.
5.12.2 Scope of policy
This Policy applies to conduct occurring on LCS property and at LCS-sanctioned events or programs off school property, such as study-abroad programs, field trips, or internship programs. Liberty Common School (LCS) or “the school,” as used in this Policy, applies to students in all grades kindergarten through twelfth grade.
5.12.3 Related definitions
- Complainant. Any LCS student seeking resources, support, and/or a formal disciplinary process in response to bullying
- Respondent. Any LCS student who has been alleged to have violated this policy.
- Bystander. Any student who witnesses bullying in any of the forms described herein.
- Pattern. Any bullying behavior that happens more than once
5.12.4 Procedure
1. It is the responsibility of Liberty Common School to insist all students and faculty set a positive example by not engaging in bullying. LCS will take action by:
a. Providing procedures to address bullying reports and accusations to all students and parents;
b. Encouraging the reporting of all accusations that meet this Policy’s definition;
c. Reporting results of any bullying investigation to law enforcement in a timely manner as specified below;
d. Following-up with complainant to ensure the behavior has stopped, and that he/she has not experienced any retaliation or reprisal.
e. Having any additional adults present during conversations between administrators and students as the principal deems necessary.
2. If a student thinks he/she is a victim of bullying, he/she is encouraged to first speak to the alleged bully and insist the behavior be stopped. If the behavior continues, the alleged victim will report the bullying to any LCS faculty, staff member, or administrator. However, if the alleged victim feels he/she is unable to safely approach the alleged bully, he/she will immediately report the incident to any LCS faculty, staff member, or administrator.
3. Reporting by faculty, staff, or administrator. It cannot be controlled if a complaint will be made or to whom the complainant will first speak. It is important all school employees understand that reports of incidents that meet the bullying definition of this Policy are to be immediately channeled to a school administrator. Reports of bullying should never be taken lightly or disregarded and allowed to circulate without concern for the integrity and reputation of the accused, the accuser, the school, and the greater community.
a. Upon the reporting of any bullying allegation, LCS will take immediate action to eliminate the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.
b. As soon as the school administration knows, or reasonably should know about a possible bullying event, there should be a prompt investigation to determine relevant facts such as they may be reasonably ascertained. The investigation should be prompt, thorough, and impartial.
c. Promptly upon completing the investigation and determining what occurred, the school administration should determine if the bullying incident meets the criteria of any specific criminal violation according to Colorado criminal statute, including, but not limited to, physical assault, stalking, threat with a deadly weapon, taking a thing of value, etc.
i. All bullying cases that violate an existing Colorado criminal statue will be reported to law enforcement in accordance with state statute and this policy.
ii. If upon completing the investigation the school administration is unsure whether the complaint meets the criteria of a Colorado criminal statute, it will report the incident to local law enforcement.
iii. If upon completing the investigation the school administration determines the incident does not meet the definition of a Colorado criminal statute, disciplinary procedures outlined elsewhere in the Student/Parent Handbook, with a reasonable balance between the pattern and severity of the bullying behavior, will be applicable.
iv. During the time which the school administration communicates disciplinary procedures to the respondent, a discussion reinforcing acceptable behavior expectations will also occur.
d. The LCS Board of Directors will be notified of any incident in which law enforcement becomes involved.
4. Student bystanders and witnesses to bullying. Bystanders who witness acts of bullying which meet the definition of this Policy have moral obligations in accordance with the School’s Foundation Stones and Capstone Virtues:
a. Never laugh or engage in any behavior that might encourage the bully.
b. Do not become an audience for the bully.
c. Privately reach out to the victim to offer friendship and support. Encourage the victim to respond in accordance with this policy.
d. Include the victim in activities with you and/or your friends.
5. Administration follow-up: After an investigation has occurred and the reporting to law enforcement has been completed in accordance with this policy, the school administration will follow up with all parties involved.
a. The school administration will meet or speak with the complainant and his/her parents, informing them that appropriate disciplinary actions have been taken, and any reports filed with law enforcement when applicable. Due to the School’s legal obligations to protect the privacy of all students, it is possible details of disciplinary actions or non-public student records are unable to be disclosed or discussed with persons other than the student’s parents. The school administration will communicate any new information received from law enforcement, or any other source, pertaining to the incident and/or the after effects of the incident as appropriate.
b. The school administration will meet or speak with the respondent(s) and his/her parents to implement discipline, and inform of any reports filed with law enforcement when applicable. The school administration will communicate any new information received from law enforcement, or any other source, pertaining to the incident and/or the after effects of the incident as appropriate.
5.12.5 Cyberbullying
Liberty’s electronic devices, computer networks, or other property, whether accessed on campus or off, during or after school hours, may not be used for the purpose of harassment. All forms of harassment over the Internet, commonly referred to as “cyberbullying,” are unacceptable and viewed as a violation of Liberty’s acceptable computer-use policy and procedures.
Malicious use of Liberty’s computer system to develop programs or to institute practices that harass other users or gain unauthorized access to any entity on the system and/or damage the components of an entity on the network is prohibited. Users are responsible for the appropriateness of the material they transmit over the system.
Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks or other antisocial behaviors are expressly prohibited. Cyber-bullying includes, but is not limited to the following misuses of school technology: Harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening or terrorizing another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings, including blogs. It is also recognized that the author (poster or sender) of inappropriate material is often disguised (logged on) as someone else.
Students and community members who believe they have been the victim of such misuses of Liberty-owned technology, as described herein, should not erase the offending material from the system. A copy of the material should be printed or otherwise preserved and brought to the attention of the Administration.
For situations in which cyber-bullying originates from a non-school computer, and is brought to the attention of school officials, any disciplinary action shall be based upon whether the conduct is determined to be severely disruptive of the educational process so that it markedly interrupts or severely impedes the day‑to-day operations of the school and is in violation of a publicized school policy. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, threats, or making a threat off school grounds, to harm an employee, student or Member of the Board of Directors of The Liberty Common School. Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, loss of computer privileges, detention, suspension or expulsion for verified perpetrators of cyber-bullying.
5.12.6 Copy of Policy
A copy of this policy shall be kept in the parent/student handbooks. Whenever this policy is updated, so too shall the parent/student handbooks be updated.
Adopted 05/30/2024