Bullying will not be tolerated in HCP Schools. The Board is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil school environment that is free from bullying and in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect.
Bullying can include any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student.
"Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optical cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes, but is not limited to, communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, electronic text messaging, social media, or other similar technologies.
Bullying may include, but is not limited to, the following behaviors and circumstances:
- Verbal, nonverbal, physical or written bullying, hazing, or other victimization that has the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, exclusion, fear, or suffering to the victim;
- Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature that have the purpose or effect of causing injury,
- Implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades, achievements, property, etc. that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, exclusion, fear, or suffering to the victim
- Demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, exclusion or suffering to the victim; and/or
- Use of one’s strength or popularity to injure, threaten, exclude or embarrass (humiliate or insult) another student on purpose.
Students who knowingly file a false complaint may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Retaliation against any person because the person has filed a bullying complaint or assisted or participated in a bullying investigation or proceeding is also prohibited. Any student found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion.