Skip To Main Content

Bullying – Cyberbullying – Harassment – Hazing (R.S. 17:416.14)

Any student determined to be guilty of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and hazing will be disciplined according to the SMP Discipline Matrix.

 

Bullying is defined as a pattern of any one or more of the following:

 

  • gestures, including but not limited to obscene gestures and/or making faces,
  • written, verbal, or electronic communications via various technologies and/or social media including but not limited to name-calling, threats, taunting, malicious teasing, or spreading rumors,
  • physical acts such as hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, damaging personal property, etc. or
  • purposeful shunning or exclusion.

The pattern of behavior is exhibited more than once toward a student by another student or group of students on school property, at any school-related activity, at any bus stop, on any school bus, or in any other vehicle transporting students. The pattern of behavior shall have the effect of physically harming a student, placing the student in reasonable fear of physical harm, damaging a student's property, placing the student in reasonable fear of damage to the student's property, or shall be sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive enough to create an intimidating or threatening educational environment, have the effect of substantially interfering with the target’s performance in school, or have the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

 

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying defined above through the transmission of any electronic textual, visual, written, or oral communication with malicious and willful intent to coerce, abuse, torment, or intimidate.

 

Harassment can be defined as unwanted, unwelcomed, and discriminatory verbal, written, physical, or gestured behaviors ranging from teasing, casual comments to more severe and pervasive and are based on the target’s race, national origin, sex (including gender identity or sexual orientation), religion, or disability.

 

Hazing is defined as any knowing behavior of any student to encourage, direct, or participate in any activity that subjects another student to potential physical, mental, or psychological harm for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, continued membership in, or acceptance by existing members of any organization or extracurricular activity. The School Board prohibits the engagement of students, faculty, and staff in the involvement of hazing on any campus, at any school-related function, or on any school bus. Aiding and abetting another person who engages in hazing is prohibited. The consent of the hazing victim is not a defense. All SMP employees shall take reasonable measures within the scope of their individual authority to prevent hazing. Cases involving a victim who has been severely physically, mentally, or psychologically harmed will require law enforcement intervention.

 

To report bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and hazing:

  • Targets should immediately report the behavior to any SMP employee or other trusted adult who will report on the student’s behalf.
  • Students witnesses or bystanders are encouraged to report the behavior. Students can use the anonymous reporting link on district website or the link here: https://www.safeschoolsla.com/sitemenu.aspx?ID=5010&
  • SMP employees shall communicate to school administrators verbally in person all reports of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and hazing.
  • School administrators shall promptly investigate according to the protocol and timeline set by the Louisiana Department of Education.
  • If the complainant student or parent feels that an appropriate resolution of the investigation or complaint has not been reached after consulting the school principal, the student or the parent of the student should contact the local superintendent or his or her designee.
  • The school system prohibits retaliatory behavior against any complainant or any participant in the investigation.

The report form link: https://doe.louisiana.gov/school-system-leaders/school-policies/bullying