VVS High School outlines anti-bullying policy

VERONA >> Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School will be celebrating National Bully Prevention Month with a number of educational interventions and strategies starting in October and continuing through out the school year for faculty, staff and students.

In addition to current strategies and ideas already imple- mented to combat bullying, Principal Andy Brown is asking that any additional ideas for prevention or intervention be submitted to him for consideration.

The following strategies are currently in place at the VVS High School:

•“Bully Locker” and “Bully Box,” where students can anonymously report bullying taking place.

•Bully Prohibition Complaint Forms available at all times in the High School Main Office and the guidance office.

•Ongoing training in bully prevention and intervention strategies for all faculty and staff throughout the district.

•Bully Guidelines are posted in hallways and classrooms throughout the high school. •Mediation led by administration, school counselor, or social worker (when appropriate).

•Bully prevention guest speakers: Tim Collins – One man AntiBullying Show; Wendy Fical – Missing and Exploited Children Sweethearts & Heroes; Chris Poulos, and Otis Jennings.

•Bully prevention and intervention in the classroom such as Freshman Seminar or health class.

•5th and 6th grade presentations by high school counselors, and social workers.

•Board of Education: Bully policy.

•Seniors Projects- seniors create and present an anti-bullying presentation that is age ap--

propriate for 5th and 6th graders.

•Diginity for All Students Act (DASA) is imbedded in curriculum.

•Constant hallway supervision and cafeteria supervision

•Teacher-student mentor program

•VVS Connect- Upper classmen helping 9th graders transition to the high school through collaborative activities, student to student mentors.

•Community service projects

•Positive respect & responsibility posters and bulletin boards are displayed throughout the building

•Parent advisory committee

•Abiding by DASA regulations- Investigation of complaints, creating support plans for targets, and appropriate discipline for founded complaints.