St. Wenceslaus Catholic School stands against bullying.
St. Wenceslaus Catholic School is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment for all students. Guided by our Catholic values, ARMOR expectations, and the PBIS framework, we work proactively to prevent bullying and promote positive peer interaction.
Reporting
bullying is easy.
St. Wenceslaus Catholic School pledges to investigate and address every report of bullying.
Bullying can be reported by:
Telling a teacher, counselor, administrator, or any staff member
Visiting the counseling office or administration office
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Bullying is defined as intentional and repeated conduct by a student or group of students that is hostile, harmful, or inappropriate and directed toward another student or students. This behavior may be verbal, written, graphic, physical, demonstrative, or electronic in nature and is intended to intimidate, threaten, harass, control, or otherwise exert power over another individual.
Bullying behavior occurs repeatedly over time and interferes with a student’s learning, sense of safety, or ability to participate fully in the educational environment at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School.
Bullying may occur:
On school grounds
On school-provided transportation
During school-sponsored activities or events
In any situation where the school has authority to address student conduct
Bullying behaviors may include, but are not limited to:
Repeated name-calling, teasing, or taunting
Repeated threatening behavior
Spreading rumors or harmful messages in person or electronically
Provoking or attempting to provoke physical conflict
Blocking movement or engaging in unwanted physical contact
Damaging personal property
Gestures or actions intended to cause fear, humiliation, or emotional harm
Single unkind or inappropriate incidents will be addressed and followed up with appropriate behavior support; however, they are not categorized as bullying unless the behavior is repeated or part of an ongoing pattern.
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Bullying is strictly prohibited under St. Wenceslaus Catholic School’s Standards for Student Conduct. Our school supports two key factors in reducing bullying:
Easy and encouraged reporting
Empowering positive bystanders — students who speak up and speak out
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Positive behavior at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School is guided by our ARMOR expectations, which are taught, modeled, and reinforced daily:
A – Act responsibly
R – Respect self, others, and property
M – Make safe choices
O – Own your actions
R – Respond with kindness
ARMOR expectations provide students with clear guidance for appropriate behavior and help prevent bullying by promoting respect, responsibility, and care for others.
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Staff Training: All St. Wenceslaus Catholic School staff members are trained to recognize, prevent, and respond to bullying behaviors.
School Expectations: ARMOR expectations and school-wide behavior expectations are taught at the beginning of the school year and reinforced throughout the year.
Bullying Prevention Lessons: Our school counselor and teachers provide age-appropriate anti-bullying lessons and teach students how to recognize and report bullying.
PBIS Framework: St. Wenceslaus Catholic School implements PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) to support ARMOR expectations, outline clear behavior standards, and promote a positive school climate.
Student Recognition: Students who demonstrate ARMOR expectations and positive peer interactions are recognized through:
Positive and specific adult feedback
Positive office referrals
Student of the Month recognition
School Wellness Plan
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Goal: All students and their families will receive education on good nutrition practices. Elementary and middle school students will be provided with comprehensive and sequential nutrition education through the development of curriculum maps across multiple subjects. The focus of this education will be to help students understand the importance of consuming healthy food at every meal.
Implementation:
Use the school newsletter and website to inform parents about nutrition guidelines and healthy snacks.
Share information with families about what is being taught in science, physical education, and other classes about nutrition and wellness.
Map out curriculum with school physical education, science, health, and social studies teachers.
Curriculum will be based on meeting the Nebraska State standards.
Teachers or lunch leaders will speak about the choices for each meal before lunch service, with emphasis on the importance of a balanced meal. As well as encouragement of students to try new foods.
The cafeteria and classrooms will have visible posters that promote healthy choices.
Monitoring: Students complete a survey, and write about, or illustrate healthy practices they are implementing regularly. Lesson plans are checked by the administration to ensure health standards are being met. Teachers and administrators will review what is being taught across grade levels. Parent input will be included.
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Goal: Assure compliance with USDA nutrition standards for reimbursable school meals, encourage participation in school meal program, and improve service to allow for increased student meal time.
Implementation:
New school lunch program (Westside Community Lunch Program) increases participation by offering more meal options and new accounting system offers ease of payment for families
Westside Community Lunch Program follows state and federal guidelines
Lunch staff to serve all students lunch within 8 minutes
Stock disposable cups near the drinking fountain to offer free drinking water during meals, no soda or energy drinks allowed at lunch
Monitoring: The cafeteria director and staff will keep track of lunch order numbers and implement changes when needed based on research to continue interest in the school lunch program. Administrators will time lunch service to encourage the service time goal.
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Goal: To comply with USDA nutrition standards, school food, drinks, and snacks during the school day, class parties, and after-school programs will be regulated. Additionally, healthy eating habits and good food choices will be encouraged.
Implementation:
When snacks are offered in school staff will offer two food groups with most snacks being whole-grain
No a la carte options other than an extra portion of the main course from the school lunch program
Students are not allowed to share food
Food served at class parties will be approved by the school office. Dietary restrictions will be considered.
Treats are not offered for birthday celebrations or rewards
Students can bring clear water bottles to school. Multiple drinking fountains have water bottle fillers attached. Students are given drink breaks throughout the day.
Monitoring: Receive input from staff, students, and families relative to the changes made at the school involving healthy snacks and treats.
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Goal: All students attend physical education classes that provide structured opportunities for students to engage in various physical activities These classes not only help students to develop physical strength and stamina, but they also provide mental stimulation which can help to improve cognitive function and academic performance. Additionally, physical education classes offer a great opportunity for students to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles and develop lifelong habits that promote health and wellness. The school will also promote physical activity by offering recess, physical activity breaks, and after-school sports programs.
Implementation:
Certified physical education teachers follow a curriculum that meets archdioceses and state standards
Students K-4 attend PE class twice a week for 30 min
Students 5th-8th grade attend PE class twice a week for 50 min
All students are required to take PE class
All students have a daily recess for 25 minutes
Teachers provide brain breaks that promote physical activity throughout the day
After-school sports team enrollment offered to grades K-8th
Student safety patrol helps students who walk or bike to school cross streets safely
Monitoring: Administration to ensure that the physical education teachers attend professional development and that they are provided with a curriculum that meets the necessary standards. Additionally, the administration encourages extra recess for all students and provides teachers with resources for brain breaks and an opportunity for physical activity.
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Goal: Promote a healthy school culture by encouraging healthy eating habits, and physical activity and organizing wellness programs for staff members. Form a wellness committee comprised of classroom teachers, physical educators, administration, school nurse, and cafeteria manager. Create policies that restrict outside sources from marketing unhealthy behaviors.
Implementation:
The school administration will implement policies that restrict outside sources from marketing unhealthy behaviors in school or in any school publications or educational materials.
Advertisements that promote unhealthy foods/drinks are not allowed on school property.
Soda vending machine is only offered to staff - located in faculty lounge
Physical activity is never used as a punishment and extra activity is encouraged
Wellness committee to meet quarterly
The only school-sponsored fundraiser is a walk-a-thon
Monitoring:
The school can conduct surveys to gauge the overall satisfaction of students, parents, and staff members with the school culture, and the use feedback received to make improvements where necessary. The wellness committee will help implement changes.