REPORT BULLYING, MISCONDUCT, HARASSMENT, or ABUSE via EMAIL at learningcenter@pactt.org
REPORT BULLYING, MISCONDUCT, HARASSMENT, or ABUSE via this ONLINE FORM.
Student protections / FAITH’s LAW
PACTT is committed to providing a safe environment for students. Concerns regarding bullying, misconduct, harassment or abuse can be reported via the email and / or online form linked above.
PACTT will work with individuals filing a report to investigate, and ensure appropriate safety measures at school. Supports may include counseling referrals, or guidance on reporting to the police.
Read PACTT School’s Employee Code of Professional Conduct.
PACTT School Bullying Policy
PACTT Learning Center’s teaching team expects all our students to be safe, accountable and respectful. Bullying is a form of intentional physical or psychological intimidation that will not be tolerated. Bullying is contrary to Illinois state law, and the policies of PACTT Learning Center.
Definitions
Bullying, including “cyber-bullying” is defined as follows: any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:
1. placing the student or students in reasonable fear of harm to the student's or students' person or property;
2. causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student's or students' physical or mental health;
3. substantially interfering with the student's or students' academic performance; or
4. substantially interfering with the student's or students' ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
Bullying may take various forms, including without limitation one or more of the following: harassment, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, theft, public humiliation, destruction of property, or retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying. This list is meant to be illustrative and non-exhaustive.
Bullying actions often create a pattern of harassment and abuse, and efforts to stop bullying must involve the entire school community. Bullying is not acceptable and will not be tolerated by anyone regardless of age, gender or race. Acts of bullying will not be ignored at PACTT.
Reporting
Any instances of bullying should be reported immediately to the School Principal or designee, at 773-338-9102, x1, or learningcenter@pactt.org. Anonymous reports can be completed via the school website at www.pactt.org/contact. The school principal or designee will be notified of the report of bullying as soon as possible after the report is received.
Consistent with federal and state regulations regarding student privacy, parents and/or guardians of students involved in any alleged incidents of bullying will be informed by phone or in writing within one school day of receipt of the allegation by the school. Information will be provided to parents and guardians at that time regarding available social work, counseling, or restorative practice measures, appropriate to the situation.
Investigation
All allegations of bullying will be investigated in a timely manner, and reasonable efforts will be made to complete the investigation within 10 school days of the report. Additional relevant information about the reported incident that is received during the investigation will be considered.
The investigation team will include school principal or designee, school social worker, and as appropriate, additional school staff support personnel who have knowledge, experience, and training on bullying prevention.
The investigation team will determine whether a reported act of bullying is within the permissible scope of the school’s jurisdiction. Regardless of jurisdiction, information will be provided to the victim regarding available school, district, and community services, such as counseling, support services and other relevant programs.
Consistent with federal and state laws and rules governing student privacy rights, parents and/or guardians of the parties involved in the investigation will be provided with information about the investigation and an opportunity to meet with the school administrator or designee to discuss the investigation, the findings of the investigation, and the actions taken to address the reported incident of bullying.
Interventions
Interventions taken to address bullying may include, but are not limited to, the following: school social work services, restorative practices, social-emotional skill building, and referral to outside community-based resources as appropriate.
The individual being bullied, and his/her parent or guardian, will have input as to how the situation will be addressed, including:
Speaking with the person doing the bullying, alone or in the presence of the school leadership or trusted staff member(s).
Working with the principal, school leadership or social worker, and parties involved, to resolve the situation.
Working with the student’s classroom teacher to resolve the situation
At minimum, the child exhibiting bullying behavior and his/her parent or guardian will work with the school team to identify a reasonable plan for remediating the behavior in the future. This plan may include formal or informal behavior management strategies, communication supports, environmental structure, and revision of the student’s individualized behavior support plan.
Retaliation or False Allegations
Retaliation or reprisal against any individuals who report instances of bullying is prohibited. An act of reprisal or retaliation will be treated as bullying, for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.
A student will not be punished for reporting bullying or supplying information, even if the school’s investigation concludes that no bullying occurred. However, knowingly making a false accusation or providing knowingly false information, will be treated as bullying, for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.
Policy Evaluation
The Executive Director, Program Director, or designee, will assist the Board with evaluation and assessment of the policy’s outcomes and effectiveness, at least once every two years, or more frequently as needed. This process will include information regarding: frequency of victimization; student, staff and family observations of safety at school; identification of areas of the school campus where bullying occurs; types of bullying that are common or occurring; and bystander intervention or participation. The evaluation process may include relevant data and information already collected by the school for other purposes. Information developed as part of the evaluation process will be included on the school website, along with any policy updates. In the event that the school website is not available, information will be provided to school administrators, board members, school personnel, parents/guardians and students. With its review and approval, The Board agrees that the bullying policy aligns with all other relevant school policies.
Development, Notification and Posting
The approved policy will be developed based on engagement with a range of school stakeholders as appropriate , including administration, faculty, students, parents and guardians. Approved policy will be included in the school handbook, posted on the school website, and distributed annually to parents, guardians, students and school personnel, including new hires. In addition, where applicable, policy will be posted where other policies, rules or standards of conduct are posted on the school campus.
Revised and approved, 3-2022.