BAMS is committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for all students. BAMS recognizes that bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious violence.

Bullying means an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting, or during any school related/sponsored activity, that is severe, persistent or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

• Substantial interference with a student’s education

• Creation of a threatening environment

• Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school

Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyberbullying.

BAMS encourages students who have been bullied to promptly report such incidents to the classroom teacher, guidance counselor, building principal or any member of the faculty/staff.

Each student shall be responsible to respect the rights of others and to ensure an atmosphere free from bullying.

A student who violates this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with the Code of Student Conduct, which may include:

• Counseling within the school

• Parental conference

• Loss of school privileges

• Transfer to another school building, classroom or school bus

• Exclusion from school-sponsored activities

• Detention

• Suspension

• Expulsion

• Counseling/Therapy outside of school

• Referral to law enforcement officials

The mission of the BAMS Empowering the Bystander group is to educate peers about effective ways to safely intervene in bullying situations. This student group meets monthly and discusses ways to get their message out to the student body.

Please check out this presentation developed by the students:

Empowering the Bystander Student Presentation

Also, check out this video developed by the BAMS Chain Reaction Club:

Chain Reaction Video

If a student of BAMS is being bullied or harassed, please contact the appropriate guidance counselor or building administrator at 814-355-5466.

• Mrs. Miller, Guidance Counselor (Student Last Names A-L): x5007

• Mrs. Norfolk, Guidance Counselor (Student Last Names M-Z): x5008

• Dr. Eckenroth, Vice-Principal: x5004

• Dr. Garman, Principal: x5003

Students are also encouraged to fill out an online incident report when instances of bullying are occuring. 

The incident report form can be accessed HERE.