Bullying occurs when a student or group of students engages in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic methods, or physical conduct against another student on school property, at a school-sponsored or related activity, or in a district-operated vehicle and the behavior:

•  Results in harm to the student or the student’s property,

•  Places a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or damage to the student’s property, or

•  Is so severe, persistent, and pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment.

This conduct is considered bullying if it exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator(s) and the student victim and if it interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of the school.  Bullying is prohibited by the district.

If a student believes that he or she has experienced bullying or has witnessed the bullying of another student, it is important for the student or parent to notify a teacher, school counselor, principal, or another district employee as soon as possible to obtain assistance and intervention. If the information is presented to a teacher or staff member, it may be given to a campus administrator for the purposes of an investigation. The administration will investigate any allegations of bullying or other related misconduct.

If the results of an investigation indicate that bullying has occurred, the administration will take appropriate disciplinary action. Disciplinary or other action may be taken even if the conduct did not rise to the level of bullying. The district will also contact the parents of the victim and of the student who was found to have engaged in the bullying. Available counseling options will be provided to these individuals, as well as to any students who have been identified as witnesses to the bullying.

Any retaliation against a student who reports an incident of bullying is prohibited.

Parents are encouraged to communicate with campus administrators to report the complaint and to provide any other important matters pertaining to the complaint.