Office of
Student Rights and Responsibilities

An intentional electronic, written, verbal, nonverbal, psychological or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in and/or outside a school setting, that is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

• Substantially interfering with a student’s education
• Creating a threatening school environment
• Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school

Bullying is characterized by the following three (3) criteria:

• It is aggressive behavior or intentional harm doing
• It is carried out repeatedly over time
• It occurs between people where there is an imbalance of power (e.g. physical strength, mental capacity, popularity, or social skills)

Verbal, nonverbal, written, graphic, virtual, or physical conduct relating to an individual’s known or perceived race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex*, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, English language proficiency, veteran status, disability, or other protected classification.

1. Such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive; and
2. A reasonable person in the complainant’s position would find that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment such that it deprives or adversely interferes with or limits an individual or group of the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school.

* For information about Title IX Sexual Harassment, visit the “Title IX Sexual Harassment” section below.

To treat individuals differently or to harass or victimize based on one or more known or perceived protected classifications including race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, English language proficiency, veteran status, disability, or other protected classification. A single incident of discrimination may implicate more than one protected class.

Bullying
An intentional electronic, written, verbal, nonverbal, psychological or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in and/or outside a school setting, that is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

• Substantially interfering with a student’s education
• Creating a threatening school environment
• Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school

Bullying is characterized by the following three (3) criteria:

• It is aggressive behavior or intentional harm doing
• It is carried out repeatedly over time
• It occurs between people where there is an imbalance of power (e.g. physical strength, mental capacity, popularity, or social skills)

Bullying Designee
The school-based staff person who receives reports of incidents of alleged bullying, conducts investigations, and determines whether an allegation is substantiated (or founded).

Complainant
Any individual who is alleged to be the victim of bullying, harassment, or discrimination.

Discrimination
To treat individuals differently or to harass or victimize based on one or more known or perceived protected classifications including race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, English language proficiency, veteran status, disability, or other protected classification. A single incident of discrimination may implicate more than one protected class.

Formal Complaint
A document filed by a Complainant or signed by the applicable Title IX Coordinator alleging Title IX sexual harassment and requesting that the District investigate the allegation.

Harassment
Verbal, nonverbal, written, graphic, virtual, or physical conduct relating to an individual’s known or perceived race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, English language proficiency, veteran status, disability, or other protected classification.

1. Such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive; and
2. A reasonable person in the complainant’s position would find that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment such that it deprives or adversely interferes with or limits an individual or group of the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school.

Respondent
Any individual who is alleged to be the perpetrator of bullying, harassment or discrimination.

Supportive Measures
Interventions for Complainants, Respondents, and/or witnesses to address acts of bullying, harassment, or discrimination. Possible interventions include, but are not limited to, the following actions:

1. Parent/student conferences;
2. Offer of one-to-one counseling with appropriate professional staff;
3. Behavioral supports, such as Functional Behavioral Assessments, check in/check out, and Positive Behavior Support Plans;
4. Increased adult supervision in hot spot areas and during transition times (e.g. admission and dismissal, classroom changes, lunch, recess);
5. Social skills training, including role playing;
6. Positive incentives and reinforcements for appropriate or improved behavior;
7. Development of a safety plan for the Complainant; and
8. Daily report.

Title IX Sexual Harassment
Conduct on the basis of sex, that satisfies one or more of the following:

• A District employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or District service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct, commonly referred to as quid pro quo sexual harassment;
• Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to a District education program or activity; or
• Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking