1.08 Policy against Bullying and Harassment
In response to a new state law, the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for all Students Act, the School Board recently adopted a policy that prohibits bullying and harassment. The policy ensures that all students, employees, and volunteers learn and work in an environment that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying of any kind. Florida is now one of 32 states with a law regarding bullying in schools.

The Policy defines Bullying as systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees  and may involve but is not limited to: teasing, social exclusion, threat, intimidation, stalking, including cyberstalking, physical violence, theft, sexual, religious, or racial harassment, public humiliation, and destruction of property.

The policy defines harassment as any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture,
use of data or computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed
against a student or employee that: Places a student or employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property, has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's educational performance, opportunities, or benefits, has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school.

Palm Harbor Middle School is committed to providing a safe learning environment and will not tolerate bullying or harassment of any kind. Incidents of bullying or harassment can be reported to the principal or administration or reported online at http://www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/SDFS/bullying_report.html.  Anonymous reports can also be made by calling the Campus Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-873-8477.

For more information about the policy or bullying prevention and intervention visit the Safe and Drug Free Schools' website at www.pcsb.org/sdfs/bully.html <http://www.pcsb.org/sdfs/bully.html>. To learn more about bullying and find out what adults can do to help prevent it, visit the Stop Bullying Now website at www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov <http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov>.

School Advisory Council Members Needed
(SAC)

Palm Harbor Middle School is in need of parents and students who would like to join our SAC.  This group is committed to making decisions about our School Improvement Plan and implementation of highest student achievement.  SAC meets the second Monday of each month in Palm Harbor Middle's Media Center at 5:30 p.m. 
If you are interested, please call 727-669-1146.  We hope you will join us! 

Parent Input Forms
Pinellas County Schools welcomes input of parents regarding the job performance of district employees.  A Parent Input form is available for parents to give input regarding teacher performance.  Also available is a Parent Teacher Input form for input regarding administrator performance.  Each form requires a signature.  A copy of the form will be shared with the employee.  Forms are available in the front office.
Please click here for Student Accident Insurance.  Here you will find a list of sports that require student accident insurance.
 
When you are ready to purchase the insurance, follow directions below:
 

    Click on K12 Student Insurance Website
    Click on Enroll Now!
    For School Year click the drop-down box and select 2011/2012
    For School System type in Pinellas
    For School State click the drop-down box and select FL
    Click on Search

 
If you have any further questions about the plans or need help enrolling, please contact Heath Special Risk at 866-409-5734.  Thanks.
As an update to the PHMS Rocket Club information, we will meet twice a month on selected Wednesdays after school. Rocket launches will be held on one of the Wednesdays at PHMS. PHUHS is not part of the equation.

Cordially,

Captain Mack