Anti-Bullying Policy

In the creation and support of school climates that are safe places to learn, there is an evolving recognition that bullying is a very toxic form of abuse among peers. Research has shown that students who are bullied and those who bully others are at significant risk of experiencing a range of health, safety and educational risks. Bullying can be physical (hitting, pushing, shoving), verbal (being teased, threatened coerced, made fun of, called derogatory names) or relational (spreading rumors, being left out or ostracized).

It is the policy of Villa Maria School to prohibit bullying, harassment and intimidation of any person on school property or at school sponsored functions or by the use of electronic technology (telephone, cell phone, computer, or pager.) It is also the policy of Villa Maria School to prohibit reprisal or retaliation against individuals who report acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation or who are victims, witnesses, bystanders, or others with reliable information about an act of bullying, harassment, or intimidation.

Villa Maria School recognizes that the prohibition of bullying in our schools and reprisal and retaliation against individuals who report acts of bullying and the implementation of consequences and remedial actions, cannot be effective as prevention and intervention methods unless they are included as a part of a whole-school prevention and intervention program. The whole school program includes prevention, intervention and remediation, and consequences. This includes but is not limited to professional training for school staff, anti-bullying educational activities and rewards for students, collaboration and education with families, peer mediation, and consequences, such as community service, and suspensions.

If you believe that your child is being bullied, harassed, or intimidated by another Villa Maria student, you have the right to complete a Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation form, available in your school office, download the reporting form here (PDF, 34 kb), or get one through your child’s therapist. An instruction page is available to help you. The school administrator or designee will complete a determination within two school days and will complete the Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation Investigation form. Your school administrator will then contact you to discuss the results of the investigation, as well as any decision regarding consequences or remedial actions.

You may also complete the form online. Be sure to select the right campus for your student.

Main campus (Dulaney Valley Road)
St. Vincent's Villa (Pot Spring Road)
Harford County Campus

Please feel free to contact your school administrator or your child’s therapist for further details or with any questions you may have about the anti-bullying policy.