The following definitions are directly from M.G.L. c. 71, §370. Aggressor is a student or
member of the school staff who engages in bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation
towards a student.
Bullying, as defined in M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O, is the repeated use by one or more students
or a member of a school staff of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical
act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that: i. causes physical or
emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property; ii. places the target in
reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her property; iii.
creates a hostile environment at school for the target; iv. infringes on the rights of the
target at school; or v. materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the
orderly operation of a school.
Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of technology or electronic devices such as
telephones, cell phones, computers, and the Internet. It includes, but is not limited to,
email, instant messages, text messages, and Internet postings. See M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O
for the legal definition of cyberbullying.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to, conduct when related to a person’s sex
(gender), race, color, national origin, religion, age, handicap and/or disability and
sexual orientation and when such conduct is unwelcome by the recipient. In order to
give rise to a complaint, harassment must be sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive
that it adversely affects a student’s education by creating an intimidating, hostile or
humiliating environment. For a one-time incident to rise to the level of harassment, it
must be severe. See FPS Policy 5147 for more information.
Hot Spot is any location in or around school grounds that tends to be a common area
where bullying/harassment will commonly occur.
Hostile environment, as defined in M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O, is a situation in which
bullying causes the school environment to be permeated with intimidation, ridicule, or
insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of a student’s
education.
Retaliation is any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment directed against a
student who reports bullying or harassment, provides information during an
investigation of bullying or harassment, or witnesses or has reliable information about
bullying or harassment.
Staff includes, but is not limited to, educators, administrators, counselors, school
nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, athletic coaches, advisors to
extracurricular activities, support staff, or paraprofessionals.
Target is a student against whom bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or retaliation
has been perpetrated.