JBA Student-to-Student Harrassment

STUDENT-TO-STUDENT HARASSMENT

Harassment of students by other students will not be tolerated in the Wayland Public Schools. This policy is in effect while students are on school grounds, School District property or property within the jurisdiction of the School District, school buses, or while attending or engaging in school activities.

Harassment prohibited by the District includes, but is not limited to, harassment on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, or disability. Students whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion.

Harassment means conduct of a verbal, written, or physical nature that is designed to embarrass, distress, agitate, disturb or trouble students when:

  • Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student’s education or of a student’s participation in school programs or activities;

  • Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as the basis for decisions affecting the student, or;

  • Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s performance or creating an intimidating or hostile learning environment.

Harassment as described above may include, but is not limited to:

  • Verbal, physical or written (which includes texting, blogging, or other technological methods) harassment or abuse;

  • Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature;

  • Implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades, achievements, or other school matters.

  • Demeaning names, jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student.

The District will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment. The Principal of each building will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment.

Retaliation against a student, because a student has filed a harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding, is also prohibited. A student who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and expulsion.

The Superintendent will develop administrative guidelines and procedures for the implementation of this policy.

SOURCE: MASC

LEGAL REF.: M.G.L. c.151B:3A

Title VII, Section 703, Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended

BESE 603 CMR 26:00

REFS.: “Words that Hurt,” American School Board Journal, September 1999

National Education Policy Network, NSBA

School Committee Approval: December 17, 2012