Bullying Defined

          For the purpose of this policy, “bullying” means any physical act or gesture or any verbally, written or electronically communicated expression that”

A.      A reasonable person should expect will have the effect of:
1.      Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property.
2.       Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or damage to his/her property; or
3.       Substantially disrupting the instructional program or the orderly operations of the school; or
4.       Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, hostile educational environment for the student who is bullied.

Examples of conduct that may constitute bullying include, but are not limited to:

B.      Physical contact or injury to another person or his/her property;

C.     Threats of harm to a student, to his/her possessions, or to other individuals, whether transmitted verbally, in writing, or through cyberspace;

D.     Blackmail, extortion, demands for protection money, or involuntary loans or donations;

E.      Non-verbal threats and/or intimidations such as use of aggressive or menacing gestures;

F.      Stalking

G.     Blocking access to school property or facilities;

H.     Stealing or hiding books,  backpacks, or other possessions;

I.       Repeated or pervasive taunting, name-calling, belittling, mocking, put-downs, or demeaning humor relating to a student’s race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, religion, disability, or other personal characteristics, whether or not the student actually possesses them, that could reasonably be expected to result in disruption of the instructional program or operations of the schools, or that results in a hostile education environment for the student.

For the purpose of this policy, bullying does not mean mere teasing, put-down, “talking trash,” trading of insults, or similar interactions among friends, nor does it include expression of ideas or beliefs so long as such expression is not lewd, profane, or does not interfere with students’ opportunity to learn, the instructional program, or the operations of the school.  This does not preclude teachers or school administrators from setting and enforcing rules for civility, courtesy, and/or responsible behavior in the classroom and the school environment.

          The determination whether particular conduct constitutes bullying requires reasonable consideration of the circumstances, which includes the frequency of the behavior at issue, the location in which the behavior occurs, the age and maturity of the students involved, the activity or context in which the conduct occurs, and the nature and severity of the conduct.