North Thurston Public Schools strives to maintain a safe, respectful and secure learning environment for all students that is free from harassment, intimidation and bullying.  Our district values differences among people and treating one another respectfully.  In accordance with Washington state RCW 28A.600.477, harassment, intimidation and bullying of students by other students, by staff members, by volunteers, by parents or by guardians is prohibited.

When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful, and they do it once, that’s RUDE.

When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful, and they do it once, that’s MEAN.

Sometimes people don’t get along, and they engage in “mean behavior.” Mean behavior does not always rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Mean behavior should be reported to school officials, but it will be addressed differently than harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB).

A key characteristic that differentiates “mean behavior” from harassment, intimidation, or bullying is that HIB creates a hostile environment for the victim:

Hostile Environment: an environment created when the conduct is so severe that it limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s services, activities, and opportunities. Physical illness, anxiety about going to school, or a decline in grades or attendance could signal a hostile environment.

In addition to defining “hostile environment,” the following definitions are provided to help you determine whether the behavior of concern should be reported to school authorities as an incident of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying:

• HARASSMENT: Any one-sided act which causes physical or mental harm, damages another’s property, or threatens a person or group and puts them in reasonable fear of harm to person or property. It does not have to involve repeated incidents. It occurs when conduct is based on a student’s protected class (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or physical disability) OR other distinguishing characteristics (for example, physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status, or weight). There is no requirement that the targeted student actually possess the characteristic that is the basis for the harassment. Harassment creates a hostile environment at school.
  • DISCRIMINATORY HARASSMENT: If you experience or witness discriminatory harassment based on membership in a protected class (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or physical disability), you can report discriminatory harassment to your school principal or to the Civil Rights Compliance Officer, Kirsten Rue. Contact is 360-412-4466, studentachievement@nthurston.k12.wa.us, or in person or by U.S. Mail at 305 College St. NE. Lacey, WA 98516. To read the district’s complete policy on non-discrimination, please consult NTPS Policy 3210.
  • SEXUAL HARASSMENT: unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature and leads the student to believe they must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communication to gain something in return, or the conduct substantially interferes with a student’s educational performance or creates a hostile environment. Report sexual harassment to any school staff member or to the Title IX Compliance Officer, Sean Dotson at 360-412-4453, hr@nthurston.k12.wa.us, or in person or by U.S. 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. To read the district’s complete policy on sexual harassment, please consult NTPS Policy 3205.
• INTIMIDATION: Implied or overt threats of physical violence that substantially interfere with a student’s education and creates a hostile environment at school.
• BULLYING: Unwanted aggressive behavior by another person or group who are not siblings or current dating partners that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. It results in physical, psychological, social, or educational harm. It creates a hostile environment at school.
  • CYBERBULLYING: Willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.  Examples include text messages or emails, rumors posted on social networking sites, sexted or other embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles. Because cyberbullying messages can be rapidly sent to many people, they can cause considerable damage to children.
• SEXUAL ASSAULT: In the case of sexual assault, the victim is encouraged to contact 9-1-1 immediately to report the incident to the police. If sexual assault is reported to any school official and the police have not been notified, that official must follow mandated reporting laws and notify law enforcement of the alleged assault. According to Washington State Law (RCW 70.125.030), “sexual assault” means one or more of the following:
  • Rape or rape of a child;
  • Assault with intent to commit rape or rape of a child;
  • Incest or indecent liberties;
  • Child molestation;
  • Sexual misconduct with a minor;
  • Crimes with a sexual motivation;
  • Custodial sexual misconduct;
  • Sexual exploitation or commercial sex abuse of a minor;
  • Promoting prostitution;
  • An attempt to commit any of the aforementioned offenses.

Policy 3207 and Procedure 3207P

You may report concerns regarding harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) directly to the principal(s) or any staff member at our schools, and they should make attempts to address the concerns. If this occurs and the concerns are addressed to the satisfaction of the parties involved, 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 harassment, intimidation, or bullying, and it requires further investigation and action, then complete the HIB Incident Reporting Form linked directly below:

Report HIB

If you need assistance completing this form or would prefer to report verbally, please contact the Office of Student Achievement at studentachievement@nthurston.k12.wa.us.

NTPS’s HIB Compliance Officer is Director of Student Achievement, Kirsten Rue, studentachievement@nthurston.k12.wa.us or 360-412-4466. She receives copies of all formal and informal HIB complaints and ensures that school administrators follow district policy. She supports the principal or designee in resolving HIB complaints and ensures that investigations and follow-up actions are prompt, impartial, and thorough.

Incidents of bullying and harassment should be promptly reported to your child’s principal or assistant principal. Please call your child’s school and ask to speak directly with an administrator regarding a report of harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB).

See all schools and their contact information >>

If the complainant or parent/guardian is dissatisfied with the results of the investigation, they may appeal to the Superintendent’s designee, Kirsten Rue (HIB Compliance Officer), by filing a written notice of appeal within five (5) business days of receiving the written decision. The appeal can be emailed to studentachievement@nthurston.k12.wa.us or dropped off at the District Office, located at 305 College Street NE, Lacey, WA 98516.

Find information and tips on how to prevent bullying on these websites:

• www.stopbullying.gov/resources/what-you-can-do#parents
• www.cfchildren.org/resources/bullying-prevention-resources
• Download OSPI's HIB Protocols document (PDF)

There are many guidelines and resources to help parents navigate and stay involved in their child's online activities. To provide families with helpful information, tips on how to prevent cyberbullying and responses to frequently asked questions related to internet awareness and cyberbullying, please see these resources.

• www.athinline.org
• www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it
• www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/prevention
• www.stopcyberbullying.org