Goshen Local Schools is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for students to learn and grow.

Healthy conflict is normal; however, any time a student is subjected to one-directional, repeated actions that create a power differential, it is important that the student, parents, or guardians report this to the school. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. 

Definition of Bullying
Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means:

An intentional written, verbal, electronic or physical act that a student has exhibited toward another particular student more than once. The intentional act also includes violence within a dating relationship. 

The behavior causes mental or physical harm to the other student and is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for the other student.

This behavior is prohibited on school property, on a school bus or at a school-sponsored activity.

Students found responsible for harassment, intimidation or bullying by an electronic act may be suspended.  Discipline procedures will not infringe on any student’s rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. 

When the behavior is sexual harassment, the Title IX sexual harassment grievance process will be followed, if applicable, prior to imposing any discipline that cannot be imposed without resolution of the Title IX process. Read the complete Board policy.

Reporting
Any student or student's parent/guardian who believes s/he has been a victim of bullying or knows about someone who is being bullied should do one of the following:

• Immediately report the situation to the teacher, school counselor, or building administrator.

• The student may report concerns to teachers and other school staff who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administration.

• Complete a report through the “Safe Schools Online” 

• Complete a report by phone Safe Schools Help Line 1-866-LISTEN2ME

• Complete the form titled “Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying Complaint Form” 

Retaliation against any person who reports, is thought to have reported, files a complaint, or otherwise participates in an investigation or inquiry concerning allegations of aggressive behavior, is prohibited and will not be tolerated. Such retaliation shall be considered a serious violation of Board policy and independent of whether a complaint is substantiated. Suspected retaliation should be reported in the same manner as aggressive behavior. Retaliation may result in disciplinary action as indicated above.

Deliberately making false reports about harassment, intimidation, bullying, and/or other aggressive behavior for the purpose of getting someone in trouble is similarly prohibited and will not be tolerated. Deliberately making false reports may result in disciplinary action as indicated above.
 
Anti-Bullying Initiatives
Goshen Local Schools is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for students to learn and grow. Through continual monitoring of the school experience, each building is dedicated to creating a positive, proactive relationship-centered environment.  These activities, assemblies, messaging, campaigns, partnerships with agencies such as Goshen Twp. Police, PBIS, Class Dojo rewards and more.

Bullying Report
Pursuant to House Bill 276, Ohio School Districts are required to semi-annually post the number of reported bullying and harassment incidents that occur throughout their district.

Semi-Annual Report 2023-2024 School Year

Resources
For additional questions concerning bullying please contact your child's building principal.