Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation can be defined as aggressive behavior toward another person or group of people. The aggressive behavior can be physical, verbal, written, or indirect (e.g., electronic e-mail). It is usually repeated aggression over an extended period but also can be an isolated incident. There is usually a real or perceived imbalance of power between the victim and aggressor. References to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, ancestry, gender, economic status, mental or physical abilities, are often part of the scenario. Behavior that can be characterized as bullying and/or harassment may include, but is not limited to the following: l Physical (hitting, kicking, punching, pushing, choking) l Verbal (threatening, teasing, name calling) l Indirect (spreading rumors, ostracizing/exclusional behaviors, electronic e-mail, text messaging) l Written (drawings, notes, poems) Such behaviors are taken seriously by the administration and staff of Logan Township Elementary School and will be attended to in a timely manner. The Board of Education expects students to treat each other with civility and respect, and will not tolerate acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying. Like other disruptive or violent behaviors, this conduct interferes with a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its pupils in a safe environment. The Board prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying against any student. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” is defined as any gesture or written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, economic status, academic ability, mental, physical or sensory handicap, or by any other distinguishing characteristic, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function or on a school bus that: A. A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, the effect of harming a pupil or damaging the pupil’s property, or placing a pupil in reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property; or B. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil or group of pupils in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school. Any school employee, pupil or volunteer who has witnessed, or has reliable information that a pupil has been subject to harassment, intimidation or bullying, must report the incident to the appropriate school official. The Board shall not tolerate an act of reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying. The district expects students and parents who become aware of an act of bullying or harassment to report it to the school principal for further investigation. Principals, or their designees, shall promptly investigate all accusations of bullying. The investigation may include interviews with students, parents and school staff as well as a review of school records. Consequences for students who bully others shall depend on the results of the investigation and may include detention or suspensions, parental conferences, counseling, Board of Education hearing and police notification. SEXUAL HARASSMENT Sexual harassment can limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the educational process. Students who are guilty of any form of sexual harassment will face disciplinary action consistent with the disciplinary guidelines found at the end of this document and contained in the Student Handbook. Any student who has concerns or questions regarding sexual harassment may consult with any staff member, or the Pre-K-1 Principal, Beverly Green, who is Logan Township School District's Affirmative Action Officer. |
