Bullying Prevention

The district prohibits any discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student based on the student's actual race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Prohibited discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying includes physical, verbal, nonverbal, or written conduct based on one of the categories listed above that is so severe and pervasive that it affects a student's ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment; has the effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with a student's academic performance; or otherwise adversely affects a student's educational opportunities.

Filing a Report

This reporting tool is designed solely for student-to-student bullying-related incidents. All other bullying incidents may be referred to the district office. To report an incident, use the link in the Web Links and Resources section at the bottom of this page.

Students, parents, and community members are encouraged to notify school staff when students are being bullied by another student(s). When the circumstances involve cyber-bullying, individuals with information about the activity shall be encouraged to save and print any electronic or digital messages sent to them that they feel constitute cyber-bullying.

Confidentiality

Reasonable efforts will be made to keep a report of bullying or harassment and the result of the investigation confidential. The Board also prohibits any form of retaliation against any student who files a complaint or report regarding an incident of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

False Reports and Statements

Intentionally false reports, use of the complaint process, or statements to defame a fellow student or staff member for any illegitimate reason will result in disciplinary consequences.

Bullying

Bullying is the repeated actions or threats of an action directed toward a person by one or more people who have or are perceived to have more power or status than their target to cause fear, distress or harm.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is intentionally and repeatedly mistreating others through technology, such as computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.

What Bullying is…

Repeated aggressive behavior.
Intended to cause harm (physical or emotional).
An attempt by one or more individuals to gain power over another.
Physical: Hitting, kicking, pushing, destroying property.
Verbal/Written: Threatening, name-calling, teasing, taunting.
Social/Emotional: Terrorizing, spreading rumors, intimidating, humiliating, blackmailing, isolating.
Cyber-bullying: Using technology to bully others verbally, emotionally and/or socially.

What Bullying is Not…

Not liking someone.
Accidentally bumping into someone.
A single act of telling a joke about someone.
Expression of unpleasant thoughts or feelings regarding others.
Arguments or disagreements.
Being excluded from a game or group on the playground (unless being done regularly and with intention to hurt the feelings of another).
Isolated acts of harassment, aggressive behavior, intimidation or meanness.

Bullying Prevention