Bullying Prevention
& Cyberbullying Policy.

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is any intentional written, electronic, verbal or physical act or actions against a student, school volunteer, or school employee that a reasonable person, under the circumstances should know will have the effect of:

• Placing a student, school volunteer, or school employee in reasonable fear of substantial harm to his or her emotional or physical well-being or substantial damage to his or her property; or
• Creating a hostile, threatening, humiliating or abusive educational environment due to the pervasiveness or persistence of actions or due to a power differential between the bully and the target; or
• Interfering with a student having a safe school environment that is necessary to facilitate educational performance, opportunities or benefits; or
• Perpetuating bullying by inciting, soliciting or coercing an individual or group to demean, dehumanize, embarrass or cause emotional, psychological or physical harm to another student, school volunteer or school employee.

Definition of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying means the use of uninvited and unwelcome electronic communication directed at an identifiable student or group of students, through means other than face-to-face interaction which:

• Interferes with a student's physical well-being; or
• Is threatening or intimidating; or
• Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it is reasonably likely to limit a student's ability to participate in or benefit from the educational programs of the school district or charter school.

Communication shall be considered to be directed at an identifiable student or group of students if it is sent directly to that student or group, or posted in a medium that the speaker knows is likely to be available to a broad audience within the school community.

Jurisdiction

The Student Code of Conduct is in force for bullying or harassment occurring out of school if the act interferes with the educational rights of another student or causes a disruption of the school environment. The school and/or school board has the authority to suspend or expel students for activities occurring off of school premises when a student's out of school conduct indicates that the student presents a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of other students and staff.

Reporting Bullying or Harassment

Any individual who believes that a violation of this bullying or harassment policy has occurred or is occurring shall make a complaint of bullying or harassment. If a school representative knows or reasonably should suspect that a violation may be occurring, then immediate steps to investigate can begin without a complaint being filed.

Students are advised to report bullying or harassment to an identified advocate, which could include parents, guardians, or other adults who could be perceived as allies.

How to Report

• When the harasser is a fellow student:Immediately inform the building administrator of the objectionable behavior and/or actions of the student, as well as the person's identity; or report to the designated harassment complaint official.
• When the harasser is an employee or adult:Immediately inform the building administrator of the objectionable behavior and/or actions of the employee or adult, as well as the person's identity; or, if the building administrator is the person identified in the complaint, or if the student and/or the student's parent are uncomfortable communicating the complaint to the building administrator, for any reason, report to one or more of the designated harassment complaint officials.