The Superior School District is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and nurturing educational environment for all of its students. The District encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between members of the school community. Bullying or harassment toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
The District will not tolerate any form of bullying or harassment and will take all necessary and appropriate actions to eliminate it, including suspension or expulsion of students and disciplinary action against any other individual in the school district community.
Definition of Harassment: Harassment means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a student based on one or more of the student’s protected class that:
- places a student in reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property;
- has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's educational performance, opportunities, or benefits;
- has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school.
“Harassment” also includes “hate speech”—the use of language, behavior, or images/symbols that express prejudice against a particular group or groups on the basis of any protected characteristic(s).
Examples are:
- making statements that promote violence toward a racial or ethnic group;
- drawing, displaying, or posting images or symbols of prejudice (e.g., swastikas)
Definition of Bullying:
Bullying is deliberate or intentional behavior using words or actions, intended to cause fear, intimidation, or harm. Bullying may be a repeated behavior and involves an imbalance of power. Furthermore, it may be serious enough to negatively impact a student's educational, physical, or emotional well being. The behavior may be motivated by an actual or perceived distinguishing characteristic, such as, but not limited to: age; national origin; race; ethnicity; religion; gender; gender identity; sexual orientation; physical attributes; physical or mental ability or disability; and social, economic, or family status; however this type of bullying behavior need not be based
on any of the legally protected characteristics. It includes, but is not necessarily limited to such behaviors as stalking, cyberbullying, intimidating, menacing, coercing, name-calling, taunting, making threats, and hazing.
Reporting:
Any student that believes they have been or are the victim of bullying should immediately report the situation to the building principal or assistant principal. The student may also report concerns to a teacher, counselor or any trusted adult who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator.
Every student is encouraged to report any situation that they believe to be bullying behavior directed toward a student. Reports may be made to those identified above or by using Speak Up Speak Out.
The following school district policies govern guidelines for bullying and harassment specific to students. 5517 - STUDENT ANTI-HARASSMENT 5517.01 - BULLYING