Bullying means a continuous pattern of intentional behavior that takes place on school property, on a school bus, or at a school‐sponsored function including, but not limited to, cyber bullying, or written, electronic, verbal, or physical acts that are reasonably perceived as being motivated by any characteristic of a student or by the association of a student with an individual who has a particular characteristic, if the characteristic falls into one of the characteristics set forth below. To constitute bullying, a pattern of behavior may do any of the following:

• Place a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property.
• Have the effect of substantially interfering with the educational performance, opportunities, or benefits of a student.
• Have the effect of substantially disrupting or interfering with the orderly operation of the school.
• Have the effect of creating a hostile environment in the school, on school property, on a school bus, or at a school‐ sponsored function.
• Have the effect of being sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.

Complaints alleging violations of this policy may be made verbally or on Board approved complaint forms available above, on the school’s website and at the administrator and/or counselor’s office.

The complaint must be signed by the student alleging the violation or by the student’s parent or legal guardian and delivered to the administrator or the administrator’s designee either by mail or personal delivery. At the request of the complaining student or the student’s parent or legal guardian, incidental or minor violations of the policy may be presented and resolved informally. Upon receipt of the complaint, the administrator or the administrator’s designee will, in their sole discretion, determine if the complaint alleges a serious violation of the policy. If the administrator or the administrator’s designee determines that the complaint alleges a serious violation, the administrator or the administrator’s designee will undertake an investigation of the complaint. If the investigation establishes a violation, appropriate disciplinary sanctions will be imposed on the offending student(s). Other measures that are reasonably calculated to prevent a recurrence of the violation(s) may also be imposed by the administrator or the school system.

Students and parents may also report bullying using the website www.anonymoustips.com