As you may know, the Governor recently signed into law legislation that requires school districts to develop responses, procedures, and protocols to deal with bullying and cyber-bullying in schools. To learn more, you may read a Boston Globe article here: Bullying Legislation (Boston Globe) Fortunately, the Needham Schools are already well positioned to deal with bullying behavior, and the principals have included in their school handbooks a code of discipline that outlines how they will respond to this kind of behavior.

The new legislation requires all schools to develop and implement a specific bullying prevention plan by late December that ensures our schools are safe, healthy, and welcoming for all students. This fall, in collaboration with staff, parents, students, and members of the community, the Needham Schools will design a prevention plan that addresses bullying behavior, and we will share this plan with the community and School Committee before the end of the calendar year.

Prior to the development of the prevention plan and to affirm that the Needham Schools will not tolerate bullying behavior, the School Committee has written a draft policy to address and confront bullying and cyber-bullying in Needham's schools and classrooms. You may read the draft policy by clicking on this link to the: School Committee Webpage

The School Committee will review the policy at this evening's first meeting of the year and seeks input and comments about the proposed policy. The School Committee will consider all feedback and will vote on this policy at its October 5, 2010 meeting. Parents and community members wishing to comment about the proposed policy can email the School Committee: schoolcommittee@needham.k12.ma.us