Bullying

The Cambridge Public Schools is committed to creating a safe, caring, respectful learning environment for all students and strictly enforces a prohibition against bullying, including without limitation, cyberbullying, of any of its students by anyone and also strictly enforces a prohibition against retaliation of any person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying. Site-based initiatives, developed collaboratively between school administration and personnel, students, families and community members will seek to: (1) help students of all ages and abilities stay safe, act wisely, and believe in themselves; and (2) help adults respond effectively to students’ reports and their own observations.

Massachusetts Law defines bullying as "the repeated use by one or more students of a written or electronic expression or physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a victim that:

• causes physical or emotional harm to the victim or damage to the victim’s property;
• places the victim in reasonable fear of harm to himself or of damage to his property;
• creates a hostile environment at school for the victim;
• infringes on the rights of the victim at school; or
• materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. Bullying also includes cyber-bullying."