Bullying, Harassment & Discrimination

View full MPS Bullying PLan 

The purpose of the Middleborough Public School District’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan is to communicate the School District’s vision in creating and implementing its bullying prevention and intervention strategies. In this regard, the Middleborough Public School District expects that all members of the school community will treat each other in a civil manner and with respect for differences. To that end, the School District is committed to providing all students with a safe learning environment that is free from bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation. This commitment is an integral part of our comprehensive efforts to promote learning, to prevent and eliminate all forms of bullying and other harmful and disruptive behavior that can impede the learning process, and to embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all.

The Middleborough Public School District is committed to providing a safe, positive and productive educational environment that is free from bullying and cyber-bullying of students . Towards that, the Middleborough Public Schools absolutely prohibits bullying and cyber-bullying:

• On school grounds and property immediately adjacent to school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function, or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased, or used by a school district or school; or through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased, or used by Middleborough Public Schools, and 

• At a location, activity, function, or program that is not school-related through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by Middleborough Public Schools, if the acts create a hostile environment at school for the target or witnesses, infringe on their rights at school, or materially and substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

The Middleborough Public Schools also absolutely prohibits retaliation against a person who reports bullying, who provides information during an investigation of bullying, or who is a witness to or has reliable information about bullying. Violation of this policy is a serious offense. As a school community we want to ensure that our students feel safe and supported and are excited to come to school each day. We are committed to doing what is necessary to engage our students so that they know bullying is not acceptable and support the students experiencing bullying. The Middleborough Public Schools will support this plan in all aspects of its activities, including its curricula, instructional programs, staff development, extracurricular activities and parental involvement.

Students who engage in bullying, cyber-bullying or retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action and/or remedial action reasonably calculated to stop the conduct and prevent its recurrence. Disciplinary action taken must balance the need for accountability with the need to teach appropriate behavior.  The range of disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: verbal warnings, written warnings, reprimands, detentions, short-term or long-term suspensions, or expulsions from school as determined by the school administration and/or school committee, subject to applicable procedural requirements.  Staff who engage in bullying or retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action based upon appropriate standards and expectations in light of the staff member’s role and responsibilities.  The Middleborough Public Schools’ response to bullying actions will include, when appropriate, referral to a law enforcement agency. 

The Middleborough Public Schools Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan applies to all sites and activities under the supervision and control of the Middleborough Public Schools, or where it has jurisdiction under the law.  Nothing in this policy is designed or intended to limit the authority of school administrators and/or the school committee (a) from taking disciplinary or other action against a student or staff for conduct that does not meet the definition of bullying or cyber-bullying, as defined above, but nevertheless is inappropriate for the school environment. 

The plan has been developed and reviewed by the Middleborough Public Schools Bullying Prevention committee which consists of administrators, teachers, parents, and community members.

View full MPS Bullying PLan