Schools

Haverford School Officials Get Second Glance at Anti-Bullying Policy

A second reading on Haverford School District's anti-bullying policy was taken place at a school board meeting on Oct. 18.

As part of Haverford School District's Restorative Practices and Safe Schools reporting, the school district is required to have a standalone policy on bullying. Though the district's bullying policy was under the umbrella of the Unlawful Harrassment policy, the anti-bullying policy must now be a standalone policy.

Valerie Burnett, director of pupil services of the Haverford School District, said at last Thursday's school board meeting, the district's Restorative Practices will be "encompassed into the district's responses to bullying."

Once the anti-bullying policy has been approved, school officials will then look at the Unlawful Harrassment policy and remove the original anti-bullying practices from that policy creating two separate standalone policies, said Burnett.

Find out what's happening in Haverford-Havertownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At a presentation made last month on Restorative Practices, school officials determined that such practices were needed to address the following:

  • Bullying behaviors
  • Positive student attitudes
  • Time with caring adults
  • Improved communication for all stakeholders

In addition, the Restorative Practices will be a district-wide initiative to:

Find out what's happening in Haverford-Havertownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Develop a common language around behavior for all students and adults
  • Clear positive norms for for behavior
  • Build a community of understanding and respect for all individuals
  • Policy development for Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements

The anti-bullying policy will go before the school board for final approval at the next school board meeting on Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Haverford High School auditorium.

Read more about Restorative Practices from September's school board meeting in the PDF file attached to this article.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here