NILES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 71
BULLYING PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PLAN

We are committed to a safe and civil learning environment for all students, staff, volunteers and families. Bullying is not OK in our schools. We teach bullying prevention in our schools. We train our staff to recognize and respond.

This Bullying Prevention and Response Plan is to provide for the prevention and investigation of bullying as defined in and prohibited by Board Policy 7:180 and Section 27-23.7 of the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-23.7).

Reporting

Bullying may be reported orally or in writing to Erica Smolinski and Oscar Suarez, 6901 W. Oakton Street, 847-966-9280, esmolinski@niles71.org/ osuarez@niles71.org, or any staff member with whom the complainant is comfortable speaking.

Anonymous reports may be reported to Erica Smolinski and Oscar Suarez, 6901 W. Oakton Street, 847-966-9280, esmolinski@niles71.org or osuarez@niles71.org and via the Quick Tip Form at www.niles71.org under the Student tab→Bullying Policy.

Investigation

Upon receipt of a bullying report, the staff member must promptly notify the Building Principal or designee Mr. Suarez, Assistant Principal.  The Principal/Assistant Principal must investigate whether the report of bullying falls within the scope of this plan. If it does not, the Principal must promptly notify the individual who made the report of bullying of this determination. If the report of bullying is determined to be within the scope of this plan, the Principal or designee must promptly investigate the matter.

All reasonable efforts will be made to complete the bullying investigation within 10 school days after the date the report of bullying was received. If the bullying investigation cannot be completed within 10 school days, the investigator must promptly notify the Building Principal or the Superintendent, identify the reasons why the bullying investigation cannot be completed within 10 school days, and establish a timeframe for completing the investigation.

When investigating a report of bullying, the investigator will involve, if necessary, appropriate school support personnel and other staff with knowledge, experience, and training on bullying prevention.

Notification to Parents/Guardians

All notifications and information provided to parents/guardians must be consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights.

The Principal/Assistant Principal must inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) of each student involved in an alleged incident of bullying and discuss, as appropriate, the availability of social work services, school psychological services, other interventions, and restorative measures. Notification should occur within 24 hours without compromising the investigation.

Additionally, the Principal/Assistant Principal must inform the parents/guardians of the students who are parties to the bullying investigation that an investigation has been conducted and provide them with an opportunity to meet with the Principal or designee to discuss the investigation, the findings of the investigation, and the actions taken to address the reported incident of bullying. Again, this notification will not be done in such a way as to compromise or interfere with an ongoing investigation.

Interventions

The District will use interventions to address bullying, that may include, but are not limited to, school social work services, restorative measures, social-emotional skill building, school psychological services, and community-based services.

In addition, the District will provide the victim of the bullying incident with information regarding services that are available within the District and community, support services, and other programs.

Students with Disabilities

If the Principal/Assistant Principal determines that a student is the victim of bullying as defined in Board Policy 7:180 and Section 27-23.7 of the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-23.7) and the student is eligible for special education or related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the school will convene an IEP meeting or Section 504 meeting to determine whether, as a result of the bullying, the student experienced a break in educational services or a denial of a free and appropriate public education (“FAPE”). If the IEP/Section 504 team determines that the student experienced a loss in FAPE as a result of the student-on-student bullying, the IEP/Section 504 team must determine to what extent additional or different special education or related services are necessary and revise the IEP/Section 504 Plan accordingly.

Additionally, if a student engages in bullying and is receiving special education or related services under IDEA or Section 504, staff should consider convening an IEP/Section 504 meeting to develop or review the student’s behavioral intervention plan (“BIP”) and any appropriate disciplinary intervention responses and/or other revisions to the student’s BIP and IEP/Section 504 Plan.

Consequences

A student who is found to have committed an act of bullying will be disciplined consistent with Board Policy 7:180, Board Policy 7:190, and any other applicable Board Policies, administrative procedures, or handbooks.

A student who retaliates or commits an act of reprisal against any person who reports an incident of bullying will be disciplined consistent with Board Policy 7:180, Board Policy 7:190, and other applicable Board Policies, administrative procedures, or handbooks.

A student will not be punished for reporting bullying or supplying information, even if the District’s investigation concludes that no bullying occurred. A student who knowingly makes a false accusation or knowingly provides false information may be disciplined consistent with Board Policy 7:180, Board Policy 7:190, and other applicable Board Policies, administrative procedures, or handbooks.