At Creative Montessori Learning Center, we have always encouraged students and teachers to show respect for each other by using kind words and actions. The principles underlying our policy on bullying focus on the development of self-respect and respect for others. We have always taken a proactive approach to the problem of bullying. It is preferable to prevent bullying before it happens than to deal with the consequences after the fact.

Bullying, including cyberbullying is defined by the Illinois State Board of Education as “any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act of 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 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 is contrary to State law and the policy of Creative Montessori Learning Center.

Any incidence of bullying should be immediately reported to our administration. This can be done in person, by email (creativemontessori1@gmail.com) or by calling (630) 620-5505. Consistent with federal and state laws and rules governing student privacy rights, the parents/ guardians involved in an alleged incident of bullying shall be contacted, and additional professional services will be implemented as needed. An incidence of reported bullying will prompt investigation and will address the reports of bullying, including:

1.) Making all reasonable efforts to complete the investigation within 10 school days after the date the report of the incident of bullying was received and taking into consideration additional relevant information received during the course of the investigation about the reported incident of bullying.

2.) Involving appropriate school support personnel and other staff persons with knowledge, experience, and training on bullying prevention, as deemed appropriate, in the investigation process.

3.) Notifying the principal or school administrator or his/her designee of the report of the incident of bullying as soon as possible after the report is received.

4.) Consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights, providing parents and guardians of the students who are parties to the investigation information about the investigation and an opportunity to meet with the principal or school administrator or his/her designee to discuss the investigation, the findings of the investigation, and the actions taken to address the reported incident of bullying. 

Interventions against bullying may include any of the following:

1.) Speaking with the Director of the school as well as parents

2.) Consultation with a social worker/mental health provider

3.) Restorative measures

4.) Repeated incidences may lead to disenrollment at Creative Montessori Learning Center 

Any repeated incidence of bullying made by a student, staff member or parent of Creative Montessori Learning Center will result in an investigation led by the director of the school along with appropriate disciplinary action. Anyone found to falsely accuse another person of bullying will face disciplinary action.

Creative Montessori Learning Center prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying. Any person who engages in retaliation or reprisal against an individual for filing a complaint or for participating in an investigation of a complaint, is subject to disciplinary action. Creative Montessori Learning Center will not take any unfavorable action against an individual for making a report of bullying. 

Upon the completion of the investigation, the director of the school will determine:

1.) If any disciplinary or remedial action is needed

2.) If a referral to mental health services is needed for the student/family/ or staff member

3.) If the allegation of bullying was proven and/or resolved. 

This policy is based on the engagement of a range of school stakeholders, including students and parents or guardians. This bullying policy is posted on the school website and is included in the Parent Handbook. If applicable, it will be posted where other policies, rules and standards of conduct are currently posted in the school, and is distributed annually to parents, guardians, students, and school personnel, including new employees when hired.

This policy will be evaluated to assess its outcomes and effectiveness that include, but are not limited to factors such as the frequency of victimization; student, staff, and family observations of safety at a school; identification of areas of the school where bullying occurs; the types of bullying utilized; and bystander intervention or participation. The information developed as a result of the policy evaluation will be available to parents and guardians, staff, students as well as school administrators. This policy is consistent with other policies of Creative Montessori Learning Center.