L. Bullying

All School 2022-2023

We understand the adolescent developmental need to express feelings may result in intimate relationships and sexual contact. However, because we also believe the emotional risk is too high for adolescents who are not developmentally ready for an intimate relationship, we do not endorse or condone students to engage in any form of sexual contact. We define sexual contact as direct genital contact of any kind with any other person. Students unable to refrain from such activity will be subject to counseling, education through Health Services and possible Deans Office actions. When sexually intimate activity is accompanied by infractions of other school rules (such as out after lights out or abuse of AUTP), the school may respond with disciplinary action. We expect parents/guardians want to know of any intimate activity in which their children are engaged, and we expect the cooperation of the family in supporting the School and addressing any concerns.

It’s important to note that according to Massachusetts General Laws, children under the age of 16 may not consent to any type of sexual intercourse. With the age and developmental needs of our Middle and Upper School students in mind, WMA expects that students be conscious of physical intimacy of all levels in the presence of others, as public displays of affection can be offensive to other members of the community.

Consent must be the basis for every intimate encounter. Consent is the voluntary, positive agreement to engage in specific sexual activity. Consent is ongoing and may be withdrawn at any stage during an encounter. Consenting to one behavior does not obligate a person to consent to any other behavior. Consenting on one occasion does not obligate a person to consent on any other occasion. The absence of “no” should not be understood to mean that there is consent, and “no” means “no” in any sexual encounter. The school prohibits students from engaging in nonconsensual sexual activity, considering it to be egregious misconduct and a major disciplinary violation.

L. Bullying

It is the policy of WMA to provide and maintain a learning environment that is free of bullying and any other verbal or physical misconduct that disrupts the learning environment or makes it unsafe.

The school will not tolerate any form of bullying or cyberbullying, nor will we tolerate retaliation against any person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying. Bullying and cyberbullying are prohibited on school grounds and at school-sponsored events, athletic or other activities, functions and programs. Bullying and cyberbullying also are prohibited on school buses and other vehicles owned, leased or used by the school and through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased or used by the school.

All School All School 2022-2023

In addition, bullying and cyberbullying are prohibited at a location, activity, school sanctioned function or program that is not school-related or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased or used by the school, if the bullying creates a hostile environment at school for a targeted student; infringes on the rights of a targeted student at school; or materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of the school.

We recognize certain students may be more vulnerable to become targets of bullying, harassment or teasing based on actual or perceived characteristics, including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, socioeconomic status, homelessness, academic status, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, or sensory, disability or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics. The school will identify specific steps it will take to create a safe, supportive environment for vulnerable populations in the school community and provide all students with the skills, knowledge and strategies to prevent or respond to bullying, harassment or teasing.

Definitions under the Law

The following definitions are drawn from the Massachusetts law against bullying. Bullying is defined as the repeated use – by one or more students or by a member of a school staff including, but not limited to, an educator, administrator, school nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian, bus driver, athletic coach, advisor to an extracurricular activity or paraprofessional – of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a victim that:

• Causes physical or emotional harm to the targeted student or damage to the targeted student’s property • Places the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to themselves or of damage to their property • Creates a hostile environment at school for the targeted student • Infringes on the rights of the targeted student at school • Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of the school

Cyberbullying – Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of technology or electronic devices such as telephones, cell phones, computers, fax machines and the internet. It includes, but is not limited to, email, instant messages, text messages and internet postings, whether on a webpage, in a blog or otherwise.