Information & Reporting

Harassment or bullying of learners or employees is an extremely serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct. It can also be a violation of criminal law. Dayspring will not tolerate unlawful bullying and harassment, including sex-based harassment, in schools or school campuses, school sponsored buses, school-related or school-sponsored events, or through the use of technology or any electronic communication. The physical location or time of access of a computer-related incident cannot be raised as a defense in any disciplinary action initiated pursuant to this policy.

“Harassment” means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a learner or employee that:

1. Places a learner or employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property

2. Has the effect of substantially interfering with a learner’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits

3. Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of school

Any learner or employee who believes he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based harassment, other sex-based harassment or targeted for any other reason should immediately report the harassment to the district. The district is committed to taking immediate action to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and reduce its effects. Learners found to have engaged in acts of harassment or sex-based harassment will be subject to prompt disciplinary action, including, if warranted, suspension or expulsion. learners, parents, and staff are encouraged to work together to prevent sex-based harassment.

We encourage learners to reach out to a trusted adult if they are being harassed or bullied. This could be a parent or someone at school such as the principal, teacher, school counselor, school safety guard, or other staff member they trust​. Florida law allows anonymous reporting of bullying, harassment, and hazing.

Here are other safety hotlines for immediate assistance:

• If they are experiencing a crisis that can’t wait until the next time they see a trusted adult, learners can text “CONNECT” to 741741 and someone will reach out to them immediately.

• FortifyFL – https://getfortifyfl.com/  This is Florida’s new website and smart-phone app for reporting suspicious activity.  Tips go directly to the police and school safety officials to investigate. FortifyFL is only for reporting possible criminal or dangerous activity. This tool was developed with learner safety and security in mind. It is illegal to make a false report of criminal activity to a law enforcement agency (whether or not it is meant as a joke).

What is bullying? Bullying is systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more learners or employees and may involve but is not limited to teasing; social exclusion; threat; intimidation; stalking, including cyberstalking; physical violence; theft; sexual, religious, or racial harassment; public humiliation; and destruction of property.  An easy way to remember this definition is: Repetitive, Intentional, and an imbalance of Power. For more information about bullying, click here.

You may complete this form to file a bullying report. It will assist us in investigating your concern if you provide your contact information, but including it is optional. You may submit this form anonymously or choose to hide your contact information. Please be aware that if you do not share a phone number and/or email address, we cannot contact you with questions or follow-up information.

Thank you! By working together, we can keep all learners safe.