Bullying and Cyberbullying

Peninsula Catholic High School strives to be a diverse and inclusive environment. We believe that everybody should enjoy school equally and feel safe, secure, and accepted at all times. To accomplish this, students are expected to model Jesus on the acceptance of their peers. When not following His model, students might engage in behavior that includes exclusion or bullying of others.

Exclusion is defined as barring others from participation, consideration, or inclusion based on race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, popularity, intelligence, ability, religion, or nationality. To exclude someone diminishes the integrity of any other individual.  

Bullying

Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying can be verbal, physical, or social/relational, and can include such actions as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose (US Department of Health and Human Services). Bullying does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is defined as bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets, as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Examples of cyberbullying include mean or derogatory text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social media sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles (US Department of Health and Human Services).
Any form of exclusion or bullying/cyberbullying is in direct opposition to the philosophy and values of Peninsula Catholic High School and will not be tolerated.

If any student does not feel safe, secure, or accepted at Peninsula Catholic or who believes they have been the subject of exclusion or bullying/cyberbullying should immediately report the violation to a school official such as the Principal, School Counselor, School Nurse, faculty member with whom he/she feels comfortable, or parent. 

The administration will take prompt action in investigating any complaint of exclusion, bullying/ cyberbullying and, if warranted, will take interim measures to prevent this behavior from occurring while the investigation is underway.

Exclusion or bullying/cyberbullying may result in detention, suspension, and/or behavioral contract, or expulsion depending on the severity of the offense and past history of similar offenses.