LSHS is for Everyone

Be real. Bring your true self.

We have a collective responsibility to create and foster an environment that is welcoming, safe, nurturing, and inclusive. There are three basic steps in helping create this type of inclusive learning environment: establish, maintain, restore. We each play a crucial role in each of these steps, and the work is never truly done.

2025-2026 ASB Student Theme is "All In - All Together"

Creating the Culture

Establish

We're planting the seeds of our accepting, inclusive culture right now as you review this student handbook. It explains what we commit to in terms of our interactions with each other.

Maintain

A positive, inclusive school culture doesn't happen overnight. We are committed to taking care of ourselves and each other, and likewise committed to the daily hard work that goes into maintaining this environment.

Restore

We know that at some point, there will be bumps during our time together. When these occur, we repair the relationship, do our best to make it right, review our commitments, and move forward.

The rest of this page goes into detail on several serious topics: hate speech, harassment, intimidation, bullying, discrimination, and gender inclusivity. It also details what you can expect from us if you ever need our help with one of these concerns. But first ...

Reporting: Being part of the solution ...

Who should report and how?

All Vikings have an obligation to help maintain a safe, supportive campus. Thank you for being part of the solution by reporting any issues that need to be addressed.

Reports can be made in-person to any trusted adult at school. Students - or any member of the community at large - can also report at any time of day or night by connecting with school officials through the Vector Alert system using the web, email, phone, or text. Reporting in either fashion is always confidential. Reporting through Vector Alert can be done anonymously.

Regardless of how you choose to report, we strongly encourage you to also report to a trusted adult at home. This makes sure school and home are on the same page.

Tik-Tok. Snapchat. Instagram. Can't I report that way?

While we appreciate the ever-evolving digital connections afforded us by technology, posting a concern to social media is not the same as reporting to a trusted adult at school or at home - OR - reporting through the Vector Alert system.

In order to address and resolve concerns, the information you share needs to be readily accessible to school staff who are in a position to investigate and support all parties in finding a solution.

Believe it or not, we don't follow you on Insta, so when you post there, we can't see it. In fact, posting the concern on social media often makes the situation worse for the entire learning community while simultaneously not providing an avenue to a solution.

Hate Speech

Hate speech has no place at Lake Stevens High School. Any comment that has the impact of villainizing, embarrassing, dehumanizing, or insulting another person based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability or disability, or religion will be interrupted and reported.

We are committed to interrupting hate speech.

We are committed to reporting hate speech.

We are committed to educating others about the impact of their words and actions.

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

Our Schools Protect Students from Harassment, Intimidation,and Bullying (HIB)

Schools are meant to be safe and inclusive environments where all students are protected from Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), including in the classroom, on the school bus, in school sports, and during other school activities. This section defines HIB, explains what to do when you see or experience it, and our school’s process for responding to it.

What is HIB?

HIB is any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act of a student that:

Physically harms another student or damages their property;
Has the effect of greatly interfering with another student’s education; or,
Is so severe, persistent, or significant that it creates an intimidating or threatening education environment for other students.

HIB generally involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. HIB is not allowed, by law, in our schools.

How can I make a report or complaint about HIB?

Talk to any school staff member (consider starting with whoever you are most comfortable with!). You may use our district’s reporting form to share concerns about HIB (form linked here) but reports about HIB can be made in writing or verbally. Your report can be made anonymously, if you are uncomfortable revealing your identity, or confidentially if you prefer it not be shared with other students involved with the report. No disciplinary action will be taken against another student based solely on an anonymous or confidential report.

If a staff member is notified of, observes, overhears, or otherwise witnesses HIB, they must take prompt and appropriate action to stop the HIB behavior and to prevent it from happening again. Our district also has a HIB Compliance Officer, Dr. John Balmer, who supports prevention and response to HIB.

What happens after I make a report about HIB?

If you report HIB, school staff must attempt to resolve the concerns. If the concerns are resolved, then no further action may be necessary. However, if you feel that you or someone you know is the victim of unresolved, severe, or persistent HIB that requires further investigation and action, then you should request an official HIB investigation.

Also, the school must take actions to ensure that those who report HIB don’t experience retaliation.

What is the investigation process?

When you report a complaint, the HIB Compliance Officer or staff member leading the investigation must notify the families of the students involved with the complaint and must make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The investigation must be completed within 5 school days, unless you agree on a different timeline. If your complaint involves circumstances that require a longer investigation, the district will notify you with the anticipated date for their response.

When the investigation is complete, the HIB Compliance Officer or the staff member leading the investigation must provide you with the outcomes of the investigation within 2 school days. This response should include:

A summary of the results of the investigation
A determination of whether the HIB is substantiated
Any corrective measures or remedies needed
Clear information about how you can appeal the decision

What are the next steps if I disagree with the outcome?

For the student designated as the “targeted student” in a complaint:

If you do not agree with the school district’s decision, you may appeal the decision and include any additional information regarding the complaint to the superintendent, or the person assigned to lead the appeal, and then to the school board.

For the student designated as the “aggressor” in a complaint:

A student found to be an “aggressor” in a HIB complaint may not appeal the decision of a HIB investigation. They can, however, appeal corrective actions that result from the findings of the HIB investigation.

For more information about the HIB complaint process, including important timelines, please see the district’s HIB webpage or the district’s HIB Policy and Procedure [5580].

Discrimination

Our School Stands Against Discrimination

Discrimination can happen when someone is treated differently or unfairly because they are part of a protected class, including their race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, creed, disability, use of a service animal, or veteran or military status.

What is discriminatory harassment?

Discriminatory harassment can include teasing and name-calling; graphic and written statements; or other conduct that may be physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating. Discriminatory harassment happens when the conduct is based on a student’s protected class and is serious enough to create a hostile environment. A hostile environment is created when conduct is so severe, pervasive, or persistent that it limits a student’s ability to participate in, or benefit from, the school’s services, activities, or opportunities.

To review the district’s Nondiscrimination Policy and Procedure [5090], visit the district's website here.

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct or communication that is sexual in nature and substantially interferes with a student's educational performance or creates an intimidating or hostile environment. Sexual harassment can also occur when a student is led to believe they must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communication to gain something in return, such as a grade or a place on a sports team.

Examples of sexual harassment can include pressuring a person for sexual actions or favors; unwelcome touching of a sexual nature; graphic or written statements of a sexual nature; distributing sexually explicit texts, e-mails, or pictures; making sexual jokes, rumors, or suggestive remarks; and physical violence, including rape and sexual assault.

Our schools do not discriminate based on sex and prohibit sex discrimination in all of our education programs and employment, as required by Title IX and state law.

To review the district’s Sexual Harassment Policy regarding Sexual Harassment of Students [5500] and Sexual Harassment of Personnel [4800], visit the district's website here.

What should my school do about discriminatory and sexual harassment?

When a school becomes aware of possible discriminatory or sexual harassment, it must investigate and stop the harassment. The school must address any effects the harassment had on the student at school, including eliminating the hostile environment, and make sure that the harassment does not happen again.

What can I do if I'm concerned about discrimination or harassment?

You may contact the following school district staff members to report your concerns, ask questions, or learn more about how to resolve your concerns.

In accordance with RCW 49.60, the Lake Stevens School District does not discriminate in employment and schools. The Lake Stevens School District provides Equal Educational and Employment Opportunity without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, handicap/disability, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, creed, religion, age, veteran or military status, use of a trained dog to guide or service animal by a person with a disability, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and designated youth groups. The district complies with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations to include, but not limited to, Title IX, Title VI of the Civil Rights Acts, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, RCW 49.60 “The Law Against Discrimination,” and RCW 28A.640 “Sex Equity,” and covers, but is not limited to, all district programs, courses, activities, including extracurricular activities, services, access to facilities, etc. Inquiries regarding compliance procedures should be directed to Lake Stevens School District, 12309 22nd St. NE, Lake Stevens, WA 98258, Attention: Dr. Gina Anderson—Title IX and Civil Rights Coordinator, or ADA Compliance Coordinator and Section 504 Compliance Coordinator—425-335-1500 or gina_anderson@lkstevens.wednet.edu.

Title IX and Civil Rights Coordinator, ADA Compliance Coordinator and Section 504 Compliance Coordinator:
Dr. Gina Anderson
gina_anderson@lkstevens.wednet.edu
(425) 335-1500

2020 Regulations Requirement: Posting of Training Materials

You can report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Civil Rights Coordinator, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint (see below). For a copy of your district’s nondiscrimination policy and procedure, contact your school or district office or view it online here:

For Specific Information please go to the LSSD Website - LINK

What happens after I file a discrimination complaint?

The Civil Rights Coordinator will give you a copy of the school district’s discrimination complaint procedure. The Civil Rights Coordinator must make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The investigation must be completed within 30 calendar days unless you agree to a different timeline. If your complaint involves exceptional circumstances that require a longer investigation, the Civil Rights Coordinator will notify you in writing with the anticipated date for their response.

When the investigation is complete, the school district superintendent or the staff member leading the investigation will send you a written response. This response will include:

A summary of the results of the investigation
A determination of whether the school district failed to comply with civil rights laws
Any corrective measures or remedies needed
Notice about how you can appeal the decision

What are the next steps if I disagree with the outcome?

If you do not agree with the outcome of your complaint, you may appeal the decision to the LSSD Board of Directors and then to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). More information about this process, including important timelines, is included in the district’s Nondiscrimination Policy (5090) and Sexual Harassment Procedure (5500). More Specific Information can be found on the LSSD website

I already submitted an HIB complaint - what will my school do?

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) can also be discrimination if it's related to a protected class. If you give your school a written report of HIB that involves discrimination or sexual harassment, your school will notify the Civil Rights Coordinator. The school district will investigate the complaint using both the Nondiscrimination Procedure (5090) and the HIB Procedure (5580) to fully resolve your complaint.

Who else can help with HIB or Discrimination Concerns?

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

All reports must start locally at the school or district level. However, OSPI can assist students, families, communities, and school staff with questions about state law, the HIB complaint process, and the discrimination and sexual harassment complaint processes.

OSPI School Safety Center (For questions about harassment, intimidation, and bullying)

Website: ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/health-safety/school-safety-center
Email: schoolsafety@k12.wa.us
Phone: 360-725-6068

OSPI Equity and Civil Rights Office (For questions about discrimination and sexual harassment)

Website: ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/equity-and-civil-rights
Email: equity@k12.wa.us
Phone: 360-725-6162

Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)

The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds works with families, communities, and schools to address problems together so every student can fully participate and thrive in Washington’s K-12 public schools. OEO provides informal conflict resolution tools, coaching, facilitation, and training about family, community engagement, and systems advocacy.

Website: www.oeo.wa.gov
Email: oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov
Phone: 1-866-297-2597

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces federal nondiscrimination laws in public schools, including those that prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, disability, and age. OCR also has a discrimination complaint process.

Website: https://www.ed.gov/
Email: orc@ed.gov
Phone: 800-421-3481

Our School is Gender-Inclusive

In Washington, all students have the right to be treated consistent with their gender identity at school. Our school will:

Address students by their requested name and pronouns, with or without a legal name change
Change a student’s gender designation and have their gender accurately reflected in school records
Allow students to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity
Allow students to participate in sports, physical education courses, field trips, and overnight trips in accordance with their gender identity
Keep health and education information confidential and private
Allow students to wear clothing that reflects their gender identity and apply dress codes without regard to a student’s gender or perceived gender
Protect students from teasing, bullying, or harassment based on their gender or gender identity

Visit the district website to review the district’s Inclusive Schools Policy 5590 and Procedure 5590. For concerns about discrimination or discriminatory harassment based on gender identity or gender expression, please see the information above.

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