Watertown schools taking proactive measures toward bullying

By Laura Paine
Wicked Local Watertown
Posted Dec 17, 2010 @ 01:03 PM
Last update Dec 17, 2010 @ 01:06 PM

WATERTOWN — Bullying has long been on the radar of Watertown Public Schools, but a
new policy draft provides definitions for what bullying means and an outline of what will
happen if students are caught committing the crime.
The Watertown School Department’s Policy Subcommittee recently fleshed out a draft of
the town’s anti-bullying policy, which is due to the state government by the end of December.
They are asking parents and community members to give their input.
“I think it’s an issue that is in constant need of addressing,” said Watertown Middle School
Assistant Principal Jason DelPorto. “I don’t think it’s a problem but it’s an issue that has to
resonate like a beating drum [and be considered] on an ongoing basis. There are few
incidents [in Watertown’s schools].”
On Dec. 6, the School Committee unanimously voted to revise the anti-bullying policy,
after originally adopting it on Sept. 13.
The Massachusetts Legislature passed the Act Relative to Bullying in Schools on May 3,
requiring all school districts to develop a policy prohibiting bullying through the use of
specific language and definitions.
“It’s not clear what will make a difference,” said School Committee member David Leon.
“It will take the whole community and layers of prevention and intervention, but we are still
trying to figure [that] out. Our larger society is full of examples of bullying in many different
realms, whether it is anonymous blogs, politics or sports. There is a bullying culture we have
to counteract.”
Under the most recent policy drafted, bullying has been defined as a repeated action of one
or more children with the intent to cause fear, physical or emotional harm to a person or to
their property by way of written, verbal, electronic, physical acts or gestures, or any
combination of those activities, which may create a hostile learning or social environment or
disrupt the educational process for the child who is being bullied.
“The basic premise is around safety,” DelPorto said. “Kids who feel safe in schools and are
happy learn better. Kids who are connected and feel comfortable with their teachers, learn
faster and have a much more pleasant experience in school. When those things stop, learning
starts to wane. We have to take very good care in creating a safe environment in our school.
It’s a number one priority. Without the safety, the academics to work.”
Educational components will be put in place for faculty, students and the community to
clarify the policy so that everyone understands what is expected from them and what the
rules and regulations of the legislation includes.
Cyberbullying, or the use of social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter or
instant messaging services to intimidate a child, falls under the new legislation.
“Online bullying can be viral in a matter of minutes,” Leon said. “Something can be out in
the whole community and has potential to be anonymous and creates a permanent record.
When mixed with the compulsion of teenagers, it creates a real powerful cocktail that we are
just beginning to see the impact of these factors.”
Retaliation of bullying has also been outlawed in the draft, which describes the act as any
form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment of a student who has reported bullying or has
provided information during an investigation. If retaliation occurs, an investigation will be
conducted by the designated school staff member and can include interviews with students,
staff, witnesses and parents.
“[The designee will] inform parents immediately and let them know they are in
investigation mode, reporting back as progress [is made],” DelPorto said. “We [need to] tease
apart all the issues in the background of what happens in these events and make sure they
don’t happen again.”
 To ensure the victim’s safety, measures could include arranging a seating plan in the
classroom, at lunch, or on the bus. It could even as far as changing the aggressor’s schedule
to cut back on their access to the targeted child.
“What I like about the new law is that it mandates early intervention and education first,”
DelPorto said. “Not only do we have a discipline route, but we are now mandated to make
sure both parties have safety intervention plans.”
When it comes to disciplinary action, the person conducting the investigation will consider
the nature of the incident, age of the children involved, and other circumstances. False
reports of bullying will be handled the same way.
“Punishment can range anywhere from detentions to multiple-day suspensions or police and
court involvement,” DelPorto said. “There are clearly consequences that play out once we
determine it is a bullying event and we temper those responses based on the severity of the
issue.”
The Watertown Police Department will only be contacted if the school believes criminal
charges should be pursued against the aggressor. This law extends to former students under
the age of 21 as well, regardless of their enrollment status in the district.
DelPorto also said the focus of the policy will be on prevention and intervention, not just
punishment.
“We are really aiming at how to prevent it from occurring again, not only for the target but
for the aggressor,” DelPorto said. “They are educational moments and we have to teach these
skills to [create] change.”

Laura Paine can be reached at lpaine@cnc.com.

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