Bullying and Incident Reporting

Our Commitment 

The Gloucester Public Schools is committed to providing all students and staff with safe working and learning environments free of bullying, intimidation and harassment.  

In order to create school communities in which students and staff feel physically and emotionally safe, our schools rely on students, families, community members and staff to report any acts of bullying, retaliation or harassment.

Reporting an Incident: If you are a student, the parent/guardian of a student, a volunteer or visitor, and wish to report an incident of alleged aggression, bullying, harassment, or a bias incident, you may contact the child's school directly or you may complete our bullying/incident reporting form. You can access online versions of these forms by clicking on the icon below in your preferred language. All school employees are required to report alleged violations. 

Anonymous reports will be investigated, but no disciplinary action will be taken against an alleged aggressor solely on the basis of an anonymous report. Please note that this submission will not be seen after school hours. If this incident requires a more immediate response where imminent danger may be a concern, please contact the appropriate legal authorities or call 911.

For more information, please refer to: 

•  The GPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy (File: JIFCB)

• GPS Bullying Prevention & Intervention Plan

Is It Bullying? 

When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful, and they do it once…that may be considered DISRESPECTFUL.

When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful, and they do it once, or both parties are equally being intentionally hurtful……that IS DISRESPECTFUL.

When someone says or does something verbally, physically, or written/electronically that intentionally hurts someone, continues the behavior even when told to stop, or when they are shown that the the person being targeted is upset and has a perceived power imbalance over the target… that IS BULLYING.

Bullying is the repeated use by one or more students/staff of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that (M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O):

• • Causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property 

  • Places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her property 

  • Creates a hostile environment at school for the target 

  • Infringes on the rights of the target at school

  • Materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school