Bullying

• Direct
  • Physically observable signs of damage, Everyone is aware of the bully
  • Examples: open attacks, physical harm/threats,insults/taunts
• Indirect
  • Difficult to recognize because the person being bullied may not be present. The primary purpose is social exclusion
  • Examples: spreading rumors, encouraging others to exclude that person
• Cyber-bullying
  • Done through electronic devices or online platforms like social media, texting, and emailing
  • Examples:Posting hurtful messages on social media, recording unauthorized videos of someone and uploading them.

• Do not participate in bullying.
• Be respectful to your teammates. You don’t have to be best friends with everyone but you do need to treat all of your teammates with respect and kindness.
• If you see bullying, speak up. You may politely remind the bully that what they are saying or doing is hurtful. However you do need to report all bullying to the coaches or to a parent who you trust right away.
• If you are being bullied you need to talk to a parent or a coach right away. We cannot help you or solve the problem if you do not report it. 
• If you say or do something that is hurtful to another gymnast, please take responsibility for your actions and apologize or find a solution right away.

• If your child reports bullying to you, tell us immediately so we can handle the situation.
• Help your child develop social and emotional skills and teach them to identify bullying and give them tools to cope with their feelings. Kids who learn to stand up for themselves and other will become adults who do the same.
• Establish trust and pay attention to their feelings.
• Ask open ended questions and allow your child to tell the story.
• Encourage your child to intervene in a positive way if they see bullying.
• As Adults, remember, children often mimic our behavior, so treat your child and others with respect. Don’t be a bully.

• Promote team cohesion and bonding with partner and group activities.
• Create a safe and positive environment in the gym.
• Treat all athletes fairly and with respect.
• Watch for signs of bullying.
• Listen to athletes who report bullying and ensure that action/meetings/ phone calls will be taken.
• Confront both victim and bully separately, ask effective questions and fully listen to both sides without making assumptions.
• Take necessary steps to resolve the problem.

• First occurrence will result in the communication from PPG Coaches to the gymnast and his/her parent/guardian and will result in a verbal warning.
• Second occurrence will result in a conference with the Community Education Director, the gymnast, the coach, and his/her parent/guardian and will result with a written warning.
• Third occurrence will result in the dismissal of the gymnast and at the gymnast or parents'/guardians' request, an additional meeting with the Community Education Director and coaches.
• *Family is still financially responsible for missed sessions.

General Statement of Policy

• An act of bullying, by either an individual student or a group of students, is expressly prohibited on school premises, on school district property, at school functions or activities, or on school transportation.  This policy applies not only to students who directly engage in an act of bullying but also to students who, by their indirect behavior, condone or support another student’s act of bullying.  This policy also applies to any student whose conduct at any time or in any place constitutes bullying or other prohibited conduct that interferes with or obstructs the mission or operations of the school district or the safety or welfare of the student or other students, or materially and substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities or performance or ability to participate in school functions or activities or receive school benefits, services, or privileges.  This policy also applies to an act of cyberbullying regardless of whether such act is committed on or off school district property and/or with or without the use of school district resources. Refer to Policy 524, Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy, for more information. 
• No parent, coach, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district shall permit, condone, or tolerate bullying. 
• A person who engages in an act of bullying, reprisal, retaliation, or false reporting of bullying or permits, condones, or tolerates bullying shall be subject to discipline or other remedial responses for that act in accordance with the school district’s policies and procedures, including the school district’s discipline policy (See MSBA/MASA Model Policy 506).  The school district may take into account the following factors: 
  • The developmental ages and maturity levels of the parties involved 
  • The levels of harm, surrounding circumstances, and nature of the behavior 
  • Past incidences or past or continuing patterns of behavior
  • The relationship between the parties involved; and 
  • The context in which the alleged incidents occurred. 
• Consequences for students who commit prohibited acts of bullying may range from remedial responses or positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension and/or expulsion from Panther Paws practices, meets, &/or program.  The school district shall employ research-based developmentally appropriate best practices that include preventative and remedial measures and effective discipline for deterring violations of this policy, apply throughout the school district, and foster student, parent, and community participation. 
  • Consequences for employees who permit, condone, or tolerate bullying or engage in an act of reprisal or intentional false reporting of bullying may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or discharge.
  • Consequences for other individuals engaging in prohibited acts of bullying may include, but not be limited to, exclusion from school district property and events. 
• The school district will act to investigate all complaints of bullying reported to the school district and will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district who is found to have violated this policy.

Our team motto is Positive Thoughts Become Positive Results. Bullying does not fit within the parameters of our motto and is completely unacceptable. We will be taking extra steps this season to make sure to keep bullying out of the gym. Remember, we can’t see and hear everything that is happening in the gym. It is important that everyone becomes an advocate for a bully-free gym. By signing this form you are agreeing to help us put an end to bullying in our program.

I have read the Panther Paws Gymnasts Team 2025 - 2026 Bullying Policy Rules – By signing this contract I will comply with the Gym Rules.