Prevention of Hurtful/Harmful Behavior
Handbook Code of Conduct

We believe our students at St. Gabriel School are called upon to conduct themselves according to the values consistent with the Gospel message and our mission. Our students will grow in respect for themselves and others, and personal responsibility for their choices and actions. Safety and security are our first priority, and all students are expected to contribute to a positive learning environment.
 
Every day God blesses us in many ways, and students should be grateful for all that they have been given.  Every students should strive to fulfill our mission of “Being Christ… Every Day, Everywhere through Teaching, Learning, Leading, and Serving.”
 
Harassment Policy
 
St. Gabriel School seeks to create and foster a school community in which all individuals are treated with dignity, integrity and respect.  We believe that all individuals are called to “be Christ…every day, everywhere.”  For these reasons, the St. Gabriel School community is one in which all faculty, students and staff are entitled to pursue their fullest intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional and physical potential.  Harassment of any kind interferes with this development and, therefore, will not be tolerated.
 
Harassment occurs when an individual is intimidated, teased, bullied, threatened, or discriminated against because of race, religion, age, gender, physical appearance, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.  Harassment creates an offensive, hostile and intimidating environment.  Examples of harassing behavior include, but are not limited to the following:
 
·         Verbal Harassment: Derogatory or demeaning comments, jokes, threatening or intimidating words spoken to or about another person or group.
·         Physical Harassment: Unwanted physical contact, touch, impedance, blocking movements, assault, hazing or any intimidating interference with normal activity or movement.
·         Visual Harassment: Derogatory, demeaning or inflammatory drawings, written words, cartoons, posters, gestures or altered photographs physically produced or posted (such as the internet and/or text messages).
·         Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome insults and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. 
 
The school will treat allegations of harassment seriously and will review and investigate such allegations in a prompt, confidential and thorough manner.  As members of the St. Gabriel Community, we trust that you will embrace and practice these principles on campus and in your home.

Mistreatment of Others and Bullying
 
St. Gabriel School does not tolerate mistreatment of other students or behavior that is inconsistent with St. Gabriel School’s mission, values, and beliefs.  Prohibited behavior occurs when a student is a target of mistreatment usually in the form of intentional, repeated hurtful acts, words, or exclusionary behaviors including but not limited to:

•          Intimidation, such as name-calling or threatening
•          Social alienation, such as shunning or spreading false rumors
•          Physical aggression, such as spitting or pushing.

“Bullying” is likewise prohibited.  It will not be tolerated.  “Bullying” as related to students means either of the following:

1.     Any intentional written, verbal, electronic, or physical act that a student has exhibited toward another particular student more than once and the behavior:
   1.                  Causes mental or physical harm to the other student and
   2.                is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student; or
2.    Violence within a dating relationship.

Any student who believes s/he has been the victim of mistreatment or bullying shall report the incident(s) to a teacher, staff member, or administrator immediately.  Similarly, any student who believes another student has been mistreated or bullied shall report the incident(s) to a teacher, staff member, or administrator immediately.  All reports will be reviewed in a prompt and thorough manner, and no student will be retaliated against for bringing forth concerns of mistreatment or bullying or for participating in the investigation of a mistreatment or bullying complaint. 
 
Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

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