Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying (HIB)
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Sometimes people don’t get along. This is not always bullying. Bullying and harassment are behaviors that make someone feel intimidated or offended. Bullying and harassment are unfair, one-sided, usually repeated, and often involve one person using their power over another person.
RCW 28A.600.477 defines harassment, intimidation or bullying as any intentionally written message or image-including those that are electronically transmitted-verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability or other distinguishing characteristics, when an act:
- Physically harms a student or damages the student's property.
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education.
- Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment.
- Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
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Reporting
Anyone who experiences or sees harassment, intimidation or bullying behavior must report it to school counselors, teachers, or administrators. School administrators will act. The report can be verbal or put in writing using the HIB Incident Reporting form found online or in the school office. Return the form to the school or district office. School staff will investigate the incident, communicate findings to the parent, and create plan to stop the bullying/harassment. View the HIB reporting forms >>
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Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying, impersonating another, hate mail, defamation, harassment, or intimidation of any kind, are prohibited. Cyberbullying is bullying or harassment that happens online. It can happen on a social networking site, in a text message, an email, an online game or comments. It might involve rumors or images posted on someone’s profile or passed around for others to see or creating a group or page to make a person feel left out. Because cyberbullying messages can be rapidly sent to many people, they can cause considerable damage to children. Use the HIB reporting form to report Cyberbullying.
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Discriminatory Harassment
If you believe your student has been discriminated against, or treated unfairly or unlawfully because of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or other protected class, you can report the incident(s) to your student’s school principal or the district’s civil rights compliance officer. The district’s Civil Rights Compliance Officer is Charles Burleigh. Contact is: 360.412.4453, cburleigh@nthurston.k12.wa.us, or in person or by U.S. post mail at 305 College St. NE. Lacey, WA 98516.
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Sexual Harrasment
Report sexual harassment to any school staff member or to the Title IX Compliance Officer, Charles Burleigh. Contact is: 360.412.4453, cburleigh@nthurston.k12.wa.us, or in person or by U.S. post mail at 305 College St. NE. Lacey, WA 98516. The Title IX Compliance Officer can help you decide if any action needs to be taken and how best to address your situation.
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HIB Policies & Procedures
NTPS Policies & Procedures relating to HIB include:
