District Bullying and Harassment Policy Overview

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District Bullying and Harassment Policy Overview
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What do YOU need to know about Bullying
Harassment

• It is against the LAW
• Federal
• State
• Board Policy
• Handbook
• The district policy translates to teacher
  responsibility of supervision and intervening

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Protected ClassesStaff and Students

• 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
• Familial status

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Jurisdictionis beyond the schoolhouse door

• Broad and far-reaching
• School property
• Busses and vans
• School sponsored activities
• Any activity outside of school that impacts the
  school environment
• Pretty much everywhere in your students lives
  and yours too!

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Types of Bullying/Harassment

• Electronic
• Written
• Verbal
• Physical act or conduct
• Actual or perceived

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Bullying/HarassmentBehavior and Circumstances

• May include but not limited to
• Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature
• Implied or explicit threats concerning grades,
  achievements, property
• Demeaning jokes, stories, activities directed at
  students
• Unreasonable interference with students
  performance

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That Results in a..

• Hostile school environment that may create for a
  student
• Fear of harm to person or property
• Detrimental effect physical or mental health
• Interferes with academic performance
• Interferes in participation in services,
  activities or privileges at school

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Sexual Harassment

• Definition
• Unwelcome sexual advances
• Requests for sexual favors

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Sexual Harassment (Continued)

• Other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
  nature
• Submission is implicitly or explicitly a term or
  condition of students education or benefits
• Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used
  as the basis for academic decisions affecting the
  student
• Conduct interferes with students academic
  performance as it creates intimidating, hostile,
  or an offensive educational environment

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Whats NEW in Bullying

• Electronic
• Transmission by wire, radio, optical cable, etc.
• Includes but not limited to
• Electronic mail
• Internet-based communications
• Pagers
• Cell phones
• Electronic text messaging
• Similar technologies

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Responsibility and Immunity

• It is YOUR responsibility to intervene and report
  incidents of harassment and bullying.
• Reporting promptly, reasonably, and in good faith
  provides staff immunity from civil or criminal
  liability.

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Procedure

• Communication Phase
• Individuals who feel they have been harassed need
  to tell the harasser to stop!
• If the individual does not feel comfortable doing
  this, they may tell a teacher or counselor. The
  teacher/counselor should inform an administrator.
• Complaint Phase
• The individual may need to complete the
  Harassment/Bullying
• complaint form. This information will be used
  to determine if an
• investigation is warranted.
• Investigation Phase
• A written report will be filed and if founded,
  disciplinary actions
• will follow.

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Investigation

• Policy and procedures for investigation
• Board Policy 402.3-Employees
• Board Policy 503.2-Students
• Rule of Thumb
• Student issues-Begin at building level but can
  progress to the district level and beyond
• Staff issues-Begin with the Supervisor and can
  progress to the Director of Human Resources and
  beyond

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Retaliation

• A definite NO!!!
• Severe consequences for staff and students who
  retaliate and can include suspension, expulsion
  or termination of employment

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Responsibilities of School

• Training programs for
• Students
• School officials
• Faculty staff
• Volunteers
• Published
• Handbooks-students and employee
• Web site
• Registration materials