Anti - Bullying

At St. Matthew School we acknowledge that children have been entrusted to our care. With that care is the responsibility of providing a safe environment so that physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth can take place. As a result St. Matthew Lutheran School is opposed to bullying behaviour of any type that may or will put into jeopardy the physical, social or emotional safety of a student. Further, St. Matthew Lutheran School will take action to identify and mitigate any bullying behaviour on school property or at any time involving school children, parents or school personal.

Procedure for Addressing Bullying

St. Matthew Lutheran School will practice a zero bullying tolerance. School Administration and Teachers will actively and consistently teach and model positive behaviours and have zero tolerance for aggressive or harassing behaviours.

All bullying activity is to be reported to school administration (Principal or other school authority). Upon receiving a bullying accusation, school administration is to initiate a process to verify allegations including interviewing all parties to a complaint. Upon validation of a complaint a variety of actions may take place.

While various steps are to be taken prior to it being determined that a student has behaved as a bully, it is the position of SMLS that students demonstrating bullying behaviours will be subject to the discipline process as outlined in the Discipline Policy.

Staff members demonstrating bullying behaviours will be subject to a conference and review with the appropriate supervisor with an action plan given to address needed behaviour changes. Follow up review(s) will take place at intervals determined by the supervisor. Severity of the staff bullying action may result in immediate dismissal.

Steps in determining actions for alleged bullying activity:

1. Address and investigate each incidence reported
2. Determine if a conference between accused/accuser would address the situation and where it is deemed appropriate conduct conferences with parties.
3. Depending on the situation determine if immediate loss of privileges is to be enforced.
4. Inform parents.
5. Conduct a Parent/Teacher/Principal/Student conference.Determine if referral or counseling is appropriate to mitigate bullying behaviour. Where it is deemed appropriate, recommend counseling services. Refusal of counseling may result in an immediate expulsion or the student may be dismissed to an alternative education program that is best suited to meet the student’s individual needs.
6. Introduce an outside mediator or adjudicator to assess and/or decide future actions.
7. At any of the above steps a bullying action can be dismissed if it is determined such an action did not take place.
8. All bullying activities and resulting actions are to be reported to the School Board at the next regularly scheduled School Board Meeting.
9. All bullying decisions of administration may be appealed to the School Board. Appeals must follow the appeal process policy.