Anti-Bullying Policy

Longfellow Stingrays Anti-Bullying Policy

Introduction: Goal of Policy

The goal of this Anti-Bullying policy is to promote a safe learning environment free from bullying for all children. Bullying of any kind by swimmers, parents, spectators, officials, or coaches will not be tolerated by this organization. This policy provides guidance to swimmers, parents, spectators, officials, and coaches in how to prevent bullying and intervene when bullying occurs. This policy applies to all sites and activities related to the sport: practices, meets, tournaments, celebratory gathers, award ceremonies and assemblies. If bullying is identified, this policy outlines the procedures for reporting and addressing it. This plan is designed to support the Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Law and the Natick Public Schools Plan, in providing a safe environment for children throughout Natick. 

Part I: Stingrays Statement and Code of Conduct

Statement: The Stingrays are committed to teaching high-level swimming in a team atmosphere. Our swimmers will not only develop a healthy attitude to sportsmanship and competition, but will also learn that through hard work and dedication all swimmers can see an improvement. As a result, each swimmer will develop a positive self-esteem that will help them in and out of the pool. 

Code of Conduct 

PARENT'S CODE OF CONDUCT

The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.  The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these Six Pillars of Character.   

I therefore agree:

1. I will not force my child to participate in sports.
2. I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
3. I will communicate with my child's coach about any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others. I will make every effort to have my child attend practices and meets and will communicate with my child's coach if my child will be late or absent. Good communication between parents and coaches leads to a more positive experience for all involved.
4. I will learn the rules of swimming and the policies of the league. Knowing the rules will help with development and will help to minimize disagreements.
5. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all swimmers (on both teams), coaches, officials, and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.  I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, swimmer, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of the athletes.
6. I will explain to my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
7. I will explain to my child to treat other swimmers, coaches, officials, and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or ability.
8. I will explain to my child that doing one's best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a meet or his/her performance.
9. I will not ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
10. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also de-emphasize meets and competition in the lower age groups. I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
11. I will respect the officials and their authority during meets and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at a meet, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place. 
12. I will demand a playing environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all Stingrays meets.
13. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during meets and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.
14. I acknowledge that the coach of my child's team is responsible for my behavior and I will therefore respect the coach's authority. 

SWIMMER'S CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Play for Fun!
2. Work hard to improve your results.
3. Be a team player- get along with your teammates.
4. Learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and discipline.
5. Be on time for practices and meets.
6. Learn the rules, and abide by them. Always be a good sport.
7. Respect your coach, your teammates, your parents, opponents, and officials.
8. Never argue with the official.

Part II: Definition of Bullying

Bullying is defined by targeted, intentional, and repeated acts by an aggressor against a target. Bullying causes physical or emotional harm for the target. It also involves a power imbalance between the aggressor and the target (for ex: multiple aggressors vs. a single target, older aggressor vs. younger target, adult aggressor vs. child target, or socially popular aggressor vs. less popular target) Bullying can be verbal, social, physical, or electronic (cyber) in nature. 

What bullying is NOT: “It is equally important for all members of the school community to understand that conflict is not automatically synonymous with bullying. Arguing, bantering back-and-forth, ignoring, roughhousing, and fighting, while potentially serious forms of conflict, are not necessarily instances of bullying. Bullying is characterized by intention, repetition, and power imbalance. Not every conflict meets these criteria.” (Natick Public Schools Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, page 3). 

Examples of bullying include:

Verbal: includes name calling, taunts, put downs, intimidation, unwarranted yelling and screaming, cruel nicknames, targeted teasing, insults involving gender or sexual orientation like “plays like a girl”, “like a sally” or “acts gay”, as well as graphic and written statements. 

Social: includes exclusion from peer groups, relational aggression, exclusion from practice or play.

Physical: includes gestures, hitting, kicking, physical violence, or physical intimidation of any kind. 

Electronic (Cyber): use of technology to bully including: (1) harmful texts, emails or instant messaging; (2) impersonating someone online; (3) creating a fake profile online; (4) posting images; and (5) sexting. 

Discrimination or harassment based on a child’s sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated and is prohibited by law. 

Part III: Reporting Process

Any suspected instances of bullying should always be reported to an adult. Moreover, suspected bullying should be reported to a coach. The coach will then report the incident to head coaches Melissa and Jessa who will investigate the incident. 

Persons enforcing or acting in accordance with this policy will not be subjected to retaliation. Acts of retaliation should be reported as well. 

Upon investigation and determination that bullying or retaliation has occurred, the head coaches will promptly notify the parents of the target and the aggressor of the determination and the team’s procedures for responding to the bullying or retaliation. The head coaches will inform the target’s parent of actions that the team will take to prevent further acts of bullying or retaliation. 

Part IV: Consequences of Bullying

Violation of this policy is a serious offense. Violators may be subject to appropriate disciplinary and/or corrective action to stop the conduct and prevent its reoccurrence. Appropriate disciplinary and/or corrective action may include: 

• notifying parents
• formal complaint documented
• education and consultation
• warning
• suspension
• removal from team 

Part V: Bullying Prevention

In an effort to prevent bullying and to promote a culture where it is not acceptable behavior, our team will be dedicated to the following: 

Education Information about bullying and this plan will be incorporated into the initial communication/meeting with parents and swimmers. In addition, we will partner with community organizations to provide educational opportunities about bullying and cyberbullying.

Communication Regular and open communication will be encouraged between coaches, parents and swimmers. Swimmers will be encouraged to report any suspected bullying to an adult. 

Partnership with Swimmers and Parents Parents are also prohibited by this policy from engaging in bullying behavior. Parents and swimmers will be encouraged to act as “upstanders” or “allies” to intervene when bullying occurs, as well as to interrupt and report it. 

Partnership with Schools This organization will work in partnership with the local schools to address bullying. In cases where a bullying situation may continue into the schools, we will contact the relevant schools to collaborate on resolving the issue.

Partnership with Community As members of the Natick Anti-Bullying Coalition, we will work as a community to end bullying. We will work in collaboration with other Natick organizations to create a positive culture and safe environment for our children. 

Part VI: Reminders to Staff

Do not ignore bullying: Bullies count on adults to ignore bullying behaviors, and this allows them to continue bullying activities (Steiner, A. 2002)

Intervene immediately; bullying is common, but not benign. Bullies are much more likely to grow up to have criminal or violent behaviors. Targets of bullies suffer disproportionately from mental health problems.

Separate alleged bully and target: Do not use mediation or attempt to force them to confront one another. 

Bullying is different from conflict. Conflict is an equal-power quarrel or problem between two individuals. Bullying is abuse; it occurs when a socially powerful (popular or feared) individual mentally or physically abuses a weaker (fearful) individual, for the purposes of making them afraid and hurt.

Stay neutral and calm. The tone you take with swimmers in a situation will affect your ability to defuse the bullying. 

Don’t make promises or deals until the investigation is complete.

Reassure reporters and targets that they have done the right thing by reporting. There is a difference between reporting and tattling. Make sure they know they will be protected from retaliation. 

Empower aggressors to change. Remind aggressors that they have the power to stop the bullying. Teach them strategies to stop (i.e. Change their actions, if they are angry about something going on in their lane, teach them to talk with a coach about what is happening)

Maintain confidentiality, but ACT. It is important to protect reporters from retaliation, but information on bullying MUST be acted upon. There are no “off-the-record” conversations. Make sure to tell Jessa right away.

Be timely! The faster you talk to all individuals involved, the less likely the individuals will feel social pressure to change their stories. 

Lead by example. In the end, kids will be influenced by the actions of their coaches. So make sure you are a great role model for how they should behave. So have fun, stay positive. Encourage the team to forget about ego-based goals and just try to constantly improve themselves as much as they can. Also encourage team spirit. Giving kids these kinds of great experiences with sports will help to keep them active, healthy, and engaged.