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Schools

School Board Adopts Broader Policy on Bullying

The decision reflects a law recently passed by the Connecticut General Assembly.

The Darien Board of Education unanimously accepted a broader policy on bullying Tuesday in keeping with a new state law aimed at protecting students and punishing those who harass classmates.

The changes widen the definition of bullying and expand the authority of the district to punish students who intimidate a classmate from locations off of school property.

The new policy empowers the district to take action in the following cases:

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  • When a student uses technological devices to contact a classmate with the intent of causing emotional distress
  • When a student harasses another student during times of the day when school is not in session
  • When a student harasses a peer from any location

In its last session, the Connecticut General Assembly  granting more power to school districts to prevent students from harassing each other. Darien Superintendent of Schools Stephen Falcone recommended the Board of Education incorporate the changes into its policy.

“This does change our administrative regulations a little bit,” Falcone said at the board's meeting on Tuesday. “We amend the policy and replace it as outlined.”

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Districts employees are obligated to immediately inform the school principal of any student who reports that he or she has been a victim of a bully. The district punishes students who verbally or physically hurt a classmate, based on the severity and duration of incidents. Students can be expelled for bullying.

Darien schools define bullying as:

  • Causing physical or emotional harm to a classmate, damaging or stealing personal property
  • Creating a hostile environment at school for a classmate
  • Infringing on the rights of a classmate
  • Substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a school

Parents of school children who experience bullying may contact any building administrator; Judith Pandolfo, assistant superintendent for elementary education (203-656-7413/jpandolfo@darienps.org); or Matthew Byrnes, the assistant superintendent for secondary education (203-656-7414/mbyrnes@darienps.org).

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