The Governing Board believes it is the right of every student to be educated in a positive, safe, caring, and respectful learning environment.  The Board further believes a school environment inclusive of these traits maximizes student achievement, fosters student personal growth, and helps students build a sense of community that promotes positive participation as members of society.

The District, in partnership with parents, guardians, and students, shall establish and maintain a school environment based on these beliefs.  The District shall identify and implement age-appropriate programs designed to instill in students the values of positive interpersonal relationships, mutual respect, and appropriate conflict resolution.

To assist in achieving a school environment based on the beliefs of the Governing Board, bullying, harassment or intimidation as defined by this policy will not be tolerated.
 

Definitions

Bullying:  Bullying may occur when a student or group of students engage in any form of behavior that includes such acts as intimidation and/or harassment that

• has the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student's property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm or damage to property,
• is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that the action, behavior, or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive environment in the form of physical or emotional harm,
• occurs when there is a real or perceived imbalance of power or strength, or may constitute a violation of the law.

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:

• An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
• Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.