Transcript District Bullying and Harassment Policy Overview

District Bullying and Harassment
Policy Overview
Muscatine Muskies
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
Protected Classes
Staff and Students
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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
Jurisdiction
is 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 student’s
lives and yours too!
Types of Bullying/Harassment
• Electronic
• Written
• Verbal
• Physical act or conduct
–Actual or perceived
Bullying/Harassment
Behavior 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 student’s
performance
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
Sexual Harassment
• Definition
–Unwelcome sexual advances
–Requests for sexual favors
Sexual Harassment (Continued)
• Other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
nature
– Submission is implicitly or explicitly a term or
condition of student’s 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
What’s 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
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.
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.
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
Retaliation
• A definite NO!!!
• Severe consequences for staff and students who
retaliate and can include suspension, expulsion or
termination of employment
Responsibilities of School
• Training programs for
– Students
– School officials
– Faculty & staff
– Volunteers
– Published
– Handbooks-students and employee
– Web site
– Registration materials