The revised plan requires School Committee review twice each year
WESTFIELD – The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the School Department’s new bullying prevention and intervention policy at a hearing on Monday.
The revised plan, designed to ensure protection of students and staff, is posted at www.k12.westfield.ma.us. A survey seeking public comment is included.
School Committee member Cynthia A. Sullivan said this week the new policy “is aligned with Massachusetts law and is really clear on what must be done as a result of incidents of bullying in or on school property.
“A lot of work by school administration went into this. They did a thorough job. Our next responsible move will be to look at and, possibly revise, our discipline code.”
Monday’s hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. at School Department offices at 22 Ashley St. The School Committee is scheduled to adopt the prevention plan Monday night and file it with the state as required. The state requires school districts to submit anti-bullying plans by Dec. 31.
State requirements were adopted earlier this year following suicides by school students who were victims of bullying including the Jan. 14 suicide of Phoebe Prince, a ninth-grader at South Hadley High School.
Helen M. Bowler, School Department human resources director, said adoption of Westfield’s policy follows a process started last spring.
Monday’s hearing is the second opportunity for public input. More than 80 people addressed the issue at a public forum at South Middle School last March. At that hearing, communication was identified as the first and best way, along with early intervention, to stop bullying.
During the year, the School Department has provided training workshops for administration and staff, Bowler said.
“The revised plan provides protection for students and staff and organizes all efforts including curriculum, training and parent information into one document,” said Bowler.