The Bremerton School District strives to provide students with optimal conditions for learning by maintaining a school environment where everyone is treated with respect and no one is physically or emotionally harmed. It is everyone’s right to work, study, and learn in a respectful environment. The District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/legal guardians, volunteers and patrons that is free from harassment, intimidation, bullying or retaliation
In order to ensure respect and prevent harm, it is a violation of district policy for a student to be harassed, intimidated, or bullied by others in the school community, at school-sponsored events, or when such actions create a substantial disruption to the educational process. The school community includes all students, school employees, school board members, contractors, unpaid volunteers, families, patrons, and other visitors. Student(s) will not be harassed because of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability, or other distinguishing characteristics.
As is defined in legislation, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or retaliation is prohibited and will not be tolerated by students or employees of the Bremerton School District. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentionally written message or image, verbal or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 28A.640.010 and 28A.642.010 other distinguishing characteristics, when an act:
- Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property;
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;
- Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment;
- Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation, bullying, or retaliation.
“Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to: physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status and weight.
“Intentional acts” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s).
Harassment refers to any malicious act, which causes harm to any person’s physical or mental well-being. It can be discriminatory harassment, malicious harassment, or sexual harassment.
Intimidation refers to implied or overt threats of physical violence.
Bullying refers to unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm. Bullying can also occur through technology and is called electronic bullying or cyberbullying.
Conduct that may rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may take many forms, including, but not limited to: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendoes, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, ostracism, physical attacks or threats, gestures, or acts relating to an individual or group whether electronic, written, oral, or physically transmitted messages or images. There is no requirement that the targeted student actually possess the characteristic that is the basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
Any school staff who observes, overhears, or otherwise witnesses harassment, intimidation or bullying or to whom such actions have been reported must take prompt and appropriate action to stop the harassment and to prevent its reoccurrence. Information on how to report harassment, intimidation, or bullying can be found on the District website. If you have any questions or concerns about the policy or procedures, please contact the District Compliance Officer, Patty Glaser, Supervisor of School Safety & Support. You can email patty.glaser@bremertonschools.org or call 360-473-1003.
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