Section IX: Definitions

Several of the following definitions are copied directly from M.G.L. c. 71 § 37O, as noted below.

• Aggressor: is a student or member of the school staff who engaged 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 school staff of written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed to harm a target that:
  • causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property;
  • places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her property;
  • creates a hostile environment at school for the target;
  • infringes on the rights of the target at school; or
  • 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.
• 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, provides information during an investigation of bullying or witneeses or has relaible information about bullying.
• School 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, or retaliation has been perpetrated.