Safe Schools

More detailed information may be found at Policy # 5517.01.

It is the policy of our District to provide a safe and nurturing educational environment for all of its students.  This policy protects all students from bullying/aggressive behavior regardless of the subject matter or motivation for such impermissible behavior.

Bullying or other aggressive behavior toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties, including Board members, parents, guests, contractors, vendors, and volunteers, is strictly prohibited. This prohibition includes written, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, including hazing, gestures, comments, threats, or actions to a student, which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm, reasonable fear for personal safety or personal degradation.

Demonstration of appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment or bullying is expected of administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers to provide positive examples for student behavior.

This policy applies to all “at school” activities in the District, including activities on school property, in a school vehicle, and those occurring off school property if the student or employee is at any school-sponsored, school-approved or school-related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the school’s control, or where an employee is engaged in school business. Misconduct occurring outside of school may also be disciplined if it interferes with the school environment.

Definition:

“Bullying” is defined as any gesture or written, verbal, graphic, or physical act (including electronically transmitted acts – i.e. internet, telephone or cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or wireless hand held device) that, without regard to its subject matter or motivating animus, is intended or that a reasonable person would know is likely to harm one (1) or more students either directly or indirectly by doing any of the following:

• substantially interfering with educational opportunities, benefits, or programs of one (1) or more students;
• adversely affecting the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the school district’s educational programs or activities by placing the student in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing substantial emotional distress.
• having an actual and substantial detrimental effect on a student’s physical or mental health; and/or
• causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school

Bullying can be physical, verbal, psychological, or a combination of all three.  Some examples of bullying are:

• Physical-hitting, kicking, spitting, pushing, pulling; taking and/or damaging personal belongings or extorting money, blocking or impeding student movement, unwelcome physical contact
• Verbal – taunting, malicious teasing, insulting, name calling, making threats.
• Psychological – spreading rumors, manipulating social relationships, coercion, or engaging in social exclusion/shunning, extortion, or intimidation.  This may occur in a number of different ways, including but not limited to notes, emails, social media postings, and graffiti.

Reporting/Investigation Process:

Any student who believes s/he has been or is the victim of bullying, hazing or other aggressive behavior should immediately report the situation to the principal or assistant principal. The student may also report concerns to a teacher or counselor who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator or Board official.

Every student is encouraged, and every staff member is required, to report any situation that they believe to be aggressive behavior directed toward a student. Reports shall be made to those identified above. Reports may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action may not be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

The principal (or other administrator as designated) shall promptly investigate and document all complaints about bullying, aggressive or other behavior that may violate this policy. The investigation must be completed as promptly as the circumstances permit after a report or complaint is made.

If the investigation finds an instance of bullying or aggressive behavior has occurred, it will result in prompt and appropriate remedial action.

Anti-harassment at ZPS

The anti-harassment compliance officer for Zeeland Public Schools is the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services.

Information from the miOttawa.org website:  The primary focus of community policing deputies assigned as school resource deputies is the safety and security of the school campus. Well-publicized national events have demonstrated the need for development of safety strategies and event crisis management to insure the well being of students and staff members. School resource deputies remain highly visible and assist in proactive problem solving to prevent or limit significant events from occurring on school grounds.

Apart from carrying a criminal investigation caseload resulting from crimes committed on campus, school resource deputies are skilled in working with young people. Deputies attend many school academic and sporting events and act as mentors to students, sharing their knowledge of life skills. Deputies also participate in classroom activities, such as teaching the S.A.V.E. (Substance Abuse Violence Education) Program and speaking on health and government related issues. In addition, some deputies have extended their interest and talents to after school activities, such as coaching and assisting in sports activities in their school districts.

When school is not in session, school resource officers transition to serving the interests of the township or city that sponsors their position, in partnership with the school district.

Contact Deputy Alex DeJong (All ZPS buildings except Lincoln Elementary and Cityside Middle School)
ZPS phone line:  616.748.3193

Contact Officer Brian Breuker (Lincoln, Woodbridge and Cityside Middle School only)
City of Zeeland Police Department:  616.772.9125 x 3292