Student Handbook – Code of Conduct

◄ Letter from the Executive Director

Code of Conduct

Community respect for the individual,
Individual respect for the community,
And integrity in all things
Are the foundations upon which we base our lives.

Antibullying Policy

1. Bullying is prohibited by the Indiana Academy. Students who commit any acts of bullying are subject to discipline including but not limited to suspension, expulsion, arrest, and/or prosecution.
2. Definition: “Bullying” is defined 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 committed by a student or group of students against another student or students with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the targeted student(s), creating for the targeted student(s) an objectively hostile school environment that:
   1. places the targeted student(s) in reasonable fear of harm to their 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, or privileges provided by the school.
3. Types: Bullying can occur anywhere (in-school or outside of school) and at any time – both during and after school hours. Bullying can include, but is not limited to:
   1. Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. It includes hitting/kicking/punching, spitting, tripping or pushing, taking or breaking someone’s things, and making mean or rude hand gestures.
   2. Verbal bullying involves saying mean things. It can include teasing, name-calling, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting, or threatening to cause harm.
   3. Social/relational bullying involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying involves telling other students not to be friends with someone, leaving someone out on purpose, spreading rumors about someone, or embarrassing someone in public.
   4. Electronic/written communication involves cyberbullying, collective or group note writing, any bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices (computer, cell phones, etc.)
4. Applicability: The Indiana Academy prohibits bullying in all forms. This policy may be applied regardless of the physical location in which the bullying behavior occurred, whenever the individual committing the bullying behavior and any of the intended targets of the bullying behavior are students attending the Indiana Academy, Burris, or Ball State University and disciplinary action is reasonably necessary to avoid substantial interference with school discipline or prevent an unreasonable threat to the rights of others to a safe and peaceful learning environment. The Indiana Academy prohibits bullying through the use of data, computer software, and/or any digital recording device that is accessed through any computer, computer system, cell phone, personal electronic device, or computer network.
5. Education: All students may be required to receive information on antibullying measures.
6. Reporting: Anyone who believes that a student has possibly been or is the victim of bullying is encouraged to immediately report the situation to an appropriate staff member such as a teacher, school counselor, or administrator (including the Superintendent). All staff who observe or receive a report of suspected bullying shall immediately notify a designated school administrator in charge of receiving reports of suspected bullying. If a staff member does not know who to make a report to, they should report directly to their supervisor or the Executive Director. Bullying reports to the Department of Child Services and/or law enforcement must be made as required by law, such as when a staff member believes that a student is the victim of abuse or neglect. Any person who makes a report of bullying and requests to remain anonymous will not be personally identified as the reporter or complainant to extent permitted by law. Retaliation against any person who reports bullying behavior in good faith, who is thought to have reported bulling behavior, who files a complaint, or who otherwise participates in an investigation or inquiry concerning allegations of bullying is prohibited and will result in formal disciplinary action. Intentionally making false reports about bullying behavior to school officials is prohibited and will result in formal disciplinary action. The Indiana Academy will act appropriately to discipline staff members who fail to initiate or conduct an investigation of a bullying incident and for persons who falsely report an incident of bullying.
7. Investigation: Once a report of suspected bullying is received by the designated school administrator, an expedited investigation shall follow. Depending on the specific behavior in question, the Academy’s Non-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment Policy may be applicable as well. The investigation should be facilitated by the designated school administrator or other appropriate school staff. Information relating to the investigation will be gathered using means including, but not limited to: witness interviews, request for written witness statements, record identification and review, and an assessment of whether bullying occurred. The investigation will be initiated within one (1) business day of the report to the designated school administrator and will ordinarily be completed within thirty (30) calendar days.
8. Intervention/Responses: If a report of suspected bullying is substantiated through an investigation, then the School will take appropriate intervention and responses as consistent with policy and procedure. The Indiana Academy will take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to stop the bullying, remedy the bullying, and prevent the bullying from recurring. Interventions and responses include, but are not limited to: separating the bully and the target; follow-up school counseling for the target; bullying education for the bully; and prompt disciplinary action against the bully. These steps should not penalize the target of the bullying. Disciplinary actions against the bully may include, but are not limited to: suspension and expulsion for students; discharge for employees; exclusion for parents/guardians, guests, volunteers, and contractors; and removal from any office for governing body members. Also, if the acts of bullying rise to the level of criminal offense the matter will be referred to law enforcement.
9. Parental Involvement: Parents/Guardians are encouraged to be involved in the process of minimizing bullying. Parents/Guardians should report suspected acts of bullying to an appropriate school official. In addition, parents/guardians of students suspected of bullying will be notified with a phone call or through other appropriate means of communication. Conversely, parents/guardians of students suspected of being the target of acts of bullying will also be notified with a phone call or through other means of appropriate communication. Parent/Guardian notifications will occur in an expedited manner within one (1) business day after the designated school administrator receives the report of suspected bullying.

A Note to Parents/Guardians:
As an IASMH student, your child is leaving the relative security of family and high school to take on the challenges offered by college level course work and residence hall living. You cannot help but wonder how your student will fare. The Academy staff shares your concern for your student’s well-being. We want to assist you in helping your student overcome any difficulties that may arise. We will contact you to keep you informed of your student’s progress and of Academy events. It is not always possible, however, for us to be aware of what students are experiencing. We depend on you to communicate with us and to encourage your student to do the same. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions, suggestions, or concerns. We protect the confidentiality of students and parents/guardians. Also remember that you are welcome at the Academy at any time. We think the best possible relationship Academy staff and parents/guardians can have is a partnership—a shared responsibility to help the student succeed academically and mature into a responsible, caring, young adult. We look forward to getting to know you better in the coming year.

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