Indiana law defines bullying as overt, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications or images transmitted in any manner (including digitally or electronically), physical acts committed, aggression, or any other behaviors, that are committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate or harm the targeted student and create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment that: (1) places the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to the targeted student’s person or property; (2) has a substantially detrimental effect on the targeted student’s physical or mental health; (3) has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student’s academic performance; or (4) has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities and privileges provided by the school.
The Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of School Trustees Policy 5601 prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation and bullying of or by students. Students require a safe and civil school environment to learn and bullying disrupts the District’s ability to educate all students to high standards. Students and staff shall treat others with civility and respect.
