HARASSMENT POLICY

Initiations, Bullying, Harassment,
and Hazing

Initiations, hazing, bullying, harassment and abuse are violations of school district policies, rules regulations and, in some cases, may also be a violation of criminal or other laws. The school district has the authority to report violations of this rule to law enforcement officials.

Students who feel they have been harassed or bullied should:

• Communicate to the harasser or bully that the student expects the behavior to stop, if the student is comfortable with doing so. If the student needs assistance communicating with the harasser or bully, the student should ask a teacher, counselor, or principal to help.

• If the harassment or bullying does not stop or the student does not feel comfortable confronting the harasser or bully, the student should:

  • Tell a teacher, counselor, or principal; and

  • Write down exactly what happened, keep a copy and give another copy to the teacher, counselor or principal including:

    • What, when, and where it happened;

    • Who was involved;

    • Exactly what was said or what the harasser or bully did;

    • Witnesses to the harassment or bullying;

    • What the student said or did, either at that time or later;

    • How the student felt; and,

    • How the harasser or bully responded.

Sexual harassment may include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Harassment or bullying on the basis of age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status or familial status includes conduct of verbal or physical nature that is designed to embarrass, distress, agitate, or trouble persons when:

• Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student's person or property;

• Has a substantial detrimental effect on the student's physical or mental health;

• Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student's academic performance; or

• Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal, physical, or written harassment or abuse;

• Pressure for sexual activity;

• Repeated remarks to a person with sexual or demeaning implications; and,

• Suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by implied or explicit threats.

Harassment or bullying based upon factors other than sex includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal, physical, or written harassment or abuse;

• Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature;

• Implied or explicit threats concerning one's grades, job, etc; and,

• Demeaning jokes, stories, or activities.