Purpose and Statement of Policy 

The School is committed to providing a safe, civil, and supportive educational environment in which all students can learn and participate fully in school activities. 

Bullying is contrary to Illinois State law and the policy of this non-public, non-sectarian school. Bullying, including cyberbullying, is prohibited. 

Nothing in this policy is intended to infringe upon any person's right to exercise free expression or the free exercise of religion or religiously based views protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Section 3 of Article I of the Illinois Constitution. 

Definition of Bullying 

“Bullying,” including cyberbullying, means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can reasonably be predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following: 

1. Placing the student or students in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s or students’ person or property; 

2. Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s or students’ physical or mental health; 

3. Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ academic performance; or 

4. Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the School. 

Bullying may include, but is not limited to, harassment, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, theft, public humiliation, destruction of property, or retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying. 

Bullying based on an actual or perceived distinguishing characteristic is prohibited. Such characteristics include, but are not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, physical appearance, socioeconomic status, academic status, pregnancy, parenting status, homelessness, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender-related identity or expression, unfavorable discharge from military service, association with a person or group having one or more such characteristics, or any other distinguishing characteristic protected by applicable law. 

Where This Policy Applies 

No student shall be subjected to bullying: 

1. During any school-sponsored educational program or activity; 

2. While at school, on school property, on school buses or other school vehicles, at designated school bus stops while waiting for a school bus, or at school-sponsored or school-sanctioned events or activities; 

3. Through the transmission of information from a school computer, school computer network, or other similar electronic school equipment; or 

4. Through the transmission of information from a computer accessed at a non-school-related location, activity, function, or program, or through technology or an electronic device not owned, leased, or used by the School, when the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of the School. 

The fourth provision applies when a school administrator or teacher receives a report that bullying through such means has occurred. Nothing in this policy requires the School to staff or monitor non-school-related activities, functions, programs, websites, social media accounts, or electronic communications. 

Cyberbullying 

“Cyberbullying” means bullying through the use of technology or electronic communication, including, without limitation, the transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part through electronic systems or communications. 

Cyberbullying may include electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, text messages, social media communications, applications, websites, or other electronic platforms. 

Cyberbullying includes the creation of a webpage, weblog, account, profile, or other electronic content in which a person assumes the identity of another person or knowingly impersonates another person as the author of posted content or messages when the conduct creates any of the effects described in the definition of bullying. 

Cyberbullying also includes distributing a communication electronically to more than one person or posting material on an electronic medium accessible by one or more persons when the distribution or posting creates any of the effects described in the definition of bullying. 

Cyberbullying may also include the posting or distribution of an unauthorized digital replica by electronic means when the posting or distribution creates any of the effects identified in the definition of bullying, as provided by applicable Illinois law. 

Examples of cyberbullying may include, but are not limited to: 

1. Posting slurs, rumors, or defamatory, inaccurate, disparaging, violent, abusive, profane, threatening, or sexually oriented material about another student; 

2. Posting misleading, altered, fabricated, or unauthorized photographs, recordings, or digital video footage of another student; 

3. Creating a fake website, account, or social-media profile purporting to represent another student; 

4. Impersonating another student through that student's electronic device or account; 

5. Sending threatening, harassing, humiliating, or abusive emails, text messages, instant messages, social-media communications, telephone calls, or voice messages; 

6. Repeatedly sending electronic communications in a manner intended to harass, intimidate, threaten, or substantially interfere with another student; 

7. Using a cellular telephone, camera, digital video device, or other technology to create or distribute embarrassing, humiliating, sexually explicit, or otherwise harmful photographs or recordings; or 

8. Creating or distributing unauthorized digital replicas or manipulated digital content when such conduct constitutes bullying under applicable law. 

Students should immediately report sexually explicit images or communications involving minors to a trusted adult or school administrator. The School will respond in accordance with applicable law and school policy, including contacting appropriate authorities when required. 

Reporting Bullying 

Students, parents or guardians, school personnel, and other individuals are encouraged to report suspected bullying promptly. 

Reports may be made verbally or in writing to the staff person or persons designated by the School to receive bullying reports. 

 

Designated Bullying Report Contact(s): 

Name/Title:  

Rachael Swift/ Academy Manager.  

Nicole Smith/ Head of Academy. 

Stephanie Vail/ Assistant Head of Academy 

School Telephone: 618.466.0399 

School Email Address: Nicolesmith@childrenstribe.org 

Reports may also be submitted anonymously through the School's established anonymous reporting procedure: 

Anonymous Reporting Method: 

The School will investigate anonymous reports to the extent reasonably possible. Formal disciplinary action, however, will not be imposed solely on the basis of an anonymous report. This can be done, in writing, by email, or placed into the black mailbox on campus.  

The principal, school administrator, or the administrator’s designee shall be notified of a reported incident of bullying as soon as possible after the report is received. 

Parent and Guardian Notification 

Consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights, the School shall promptly inform the parents or legal guardians of all students involved in an alleged incident of bullying within 24 hours after School administration becomes aware of the students' involvement. 

The School shall make diligent efforts to provide this notification using all contact information available to the School or that can reasonably be obtained within the 24-hour period. 

As appropriate, the School will discuss with parents or guardians the availability of social work services, counseling, school psychological services, other interventions, community-based services, and restorative measures. 

All individual instances of bullying, as well as threats, suggestions, or instances of self-harm determined to be the result of bullying, shall be reported to the parents or legal guardians of the students involved in accordance with these notification requirements. 

Investigation Procedures 

All reports of bullying shall be investigated promptly and appropriately. 

The School shall: 

1. Make all reasonable efforts to complete the investigation within 10 school days after receiving the report of bullying; 

2. Consider additional relevant information received during the course of the investigation; 

3. Involve appropriate school support personnel and other staff members who have knowledge, experience, or training in bullying prevention when deemed appropriate; 

4. Notify the principal, school administrator, or designee of the report as soon as possible after the report is received; 

5. Maintain appropriate written documentation regarding allegations, investigations, findings, interventions, and outcomes; and 

6. Determine whether the reported conduct falls within the permissible scope of the School's jurisdiction under applicable law and this policy. 

Consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights, parents and guardians of students who are parties to an investigation shall be provided appropriate information regarding the investigation and an opportunity to meet with the principal, school administrator, or designee to discuss the investigation, its findings, and actions taken to address the reported bullying. 

Information regarding another student's discipline, educational records, or other confidential information will not be disclosed except as permitted or required by law. 

Interventions and Remedial Actions 

When bullying is substantiated, the School shall take appropriate action designed to stop the bullying, protect affected students, address its effects, and reduce the likelihood of recurrence. 

Interventions may include, but are not limited to: 

- School social work services; 

- Restorative measures; 

- Social-emotional skill building; 

- Counseling; 

- School psychological services; 

- Community-based services; 

- Increased supervision; 

- Safety planning; 

- Parent or guardian conferences; 

- Behavioral interventions; 

- Educational interventions; and 

- Appropriate disciplinary action consistent with School policies and applicable law. 

The School shall provide the student who experienced bullying with information regarding services available within the School and community, including counseling, support services, and other appropriate programs. 

Restorative Measures 

“Restorative measures” means a continuum of school-based alternatives to exclusionary discipline, such as suspension and expulsion, that: 

1. Are adapted to the particular needs of the School and community; 

2. Contribute to maintaining school safety; 

3. Protect the integrity of a positive and productive learning climate; 

4. Teach students the personal and interpersonal skills needed to be successful in school and society; 

5. Build and restore relationships among students, families, the School, and the community; 

6. Reduce the likelihood of future disruption by balancing accountability with an understanding of students' behavioral health needs in order to keep students in school; and 

7. Increase student accountability when an incident of bullying is based on religion, race, ethnicity, or another category identified in the Illinois Human Rights Act. 

 

 

Retaliation and Reprisal Prohibited 

Reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation, participates in an investigation, or otherwise assists in addressing bullying is prohibited. 

Any person who engages in reprisal or retaliation will be subject to appropriate consequences and remedial action consistent with School policy and applicable law. 

False Accusations 

The School recognizes the distinction between an allegation that cannot be substantiated and an intentionally false accusation. 

A person found to have knowingly and falsely accused another person of bullying as a means of retaliation or as a means of bullying may be subject to appropriate consequences and remedial action. 

An allegation will not be considered false merely because an investigation does not result in a finding that bullying occurred. 

Student Safety and Self-Harm Concerns 

All individual instances of bullying and all threats, suggestions, or instances of self-harm determined to be the result of bullying shall be reported to the parents or legal guardians of the students involved in accordance with the 24-hour parent/guardian notification procedures contained in this policy. 

School personnel who become aware of an immediate threat to a student's safety shall follow the School's applicable emergency, student-safety, and crisis-response procedures. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

This policy shall be developed, reviewed, and re-evaluated with engagement from a range of School stakeholders, including students and parents or guardians, as appropriate. 

Publication and Distribution 

This policy shall: 

1. Be posted on the School's existing publicly accessible Internet website; 

2. Be included in the student handbook; 

3. Where applicable, be posted where other School policies, rules, and standards of conduct are posted; 

4. Be provided periodically throughout the school year to students and faculty; and 

5. Be distributed annually to parents, guardians, students, and School personnel, including new employees when hired. 

The names or titles of School personnel available to assist with bullying concerns or receive reports of bullying shall be made known to parents and legal guardians, students, and School personnel. 

Policy Evaluation 

As part of the School's review and re-evaluation of this policy, the School shall assess the outcomes and effectiveness of its bullying-prevention efforts. 

The evaluation may include, but is not limited to: 

1. Frequency of student victimization; 

2. Student, staff, and family observations regarding safety at the School; 

3. Identification of areas of the School where bullying occurs; 

4. Types or methods of bullying occurring; 

5. Bystander intervention or participation; and 

6. Other relevant information or data already collected by the School. 

Information developed through the policy evaluation shall be made available on the School's Internet website. If the School does not maintain an Internet website, the information shall be provided to school administrators, school board members, school personnel, parents, guardians, and students. 

Review, Filing, and Consistency 

This policy shall be consistent with the other policies, rules, and standards of conduct adopted by the School. 

The School shall review and re-evaluate this bullying prevention policy at least once every two years and shall make necessary and appropriate revisions. 

Following the required review and update, the policy shall be filed with the Illinois State Board of Education by the applicable statutory deadline. 

 

The School shall maintain and implement this policy in accordance with applicable provisions of the Illinois School Code, including 105 ILCS 5/22-110, and applicable rules of the Illinois State Board of Education.