he 2019 Legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill 5698,(link is external) a Washington state law that prohibits harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) in our schools.

RCW 28A.600.477(link is external) 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.
CDHY/WSD believes that a safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. Since students learn by example, school administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers are required to demonstrate appropriate behavior, to engage others with civility and respect, and to refuse to tolerate harassment, intimidation, and bullying. HIB – like other disruptive or violent behaviors – is conduct that disrupts both a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment. Therefore, our school will NOT tolerate acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

CONFLICT vs. BULLYING

Bullying is NOT a phase young people must endure or outgrow. Bullying is not a conflict between students or among groups of students. Conflict is a mutually competitive or opposing action or engagement, including a disagreement, an argument or a fight, which is a normal part of human development. Bullying is one-sided, where one or more students are victims of one of more person’s aggression, which is intended to physically or emotionally hurt the victim(s).

TYPES OF BULLYING BEHAVIOR

Verbal – Includes taunting, name calling, malicious teasing, or making threats ( U.S. Department of Justice, 2001).

Psychological – Includes spreading rumors, purposefully excluding people from activities, or breaking up friendships (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001).

Physical – Includes hitting, punching, shoving, spitting, or taking personal belongings (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001).

Cyberbullying – Includes using the telephone, cell/mobile phone, pager, Internet, or other digital technologies to harm others (DuPage County Anti-Bullying Model Policy and Best Practices, 2011)

Feeling Safe in schools powerfully promotes student learning and healthy development.

Bullying – which is a serious impediment to school safety – negatively affects the atmosphere of a school and disrupts the learning enviorment for students as well as for teachers, support staff, administrators, and the entire educational community.

The effects of bullying on students includes:

  • Serious psychological and behavioral effects manifested in low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, suicide, violence, and criminal behavior;
  • Physical problems such as headaches, dizziness, and stomachaches; or
  • Poor grades.

Expected Behavior

Students should conduct themselves as appropriate to their levels of development and maturity and demonstrate capabilities with proper regard for the welfare of others including staff, volunteers, visitors to the school, and other students. Staff members are expected to model appropriate behavior and encourage best-practices of pro-active discipline, positive behavioral supports and growth in self-disciple. Severity of behaviors and history of other such behaviors will be considered with designing the consequences of infractions.

Reporting

Incidents of HIB may be reported to school officials verbally and through submission of a completed HIB form. An anonymous report of HIB WILL be accepted; however, school officials are NOT permitted to take formal disciplinary action solely based on the basis of an anonymous allegation.

Investigating & Mandated Timelines

CDHY/WSD ensures a procedure for the prompt investigation of reports of violations and complaints, in compliance with the OSPI guidelines. Simultaneously, school officials may consider the violation of any Code of Conduct infraction, and THAT consequence may be applied, as necessary and appropriate, in addition to the outcome of the HIB investigation.

The HIB investigation shall be initiated by the Principal (or designee) WITHIN TWO SCHOOL DAYS of the report of the incident. The school designee will notify the families of the students involved that a complaint was received and direct the families to the schools policy and procedure on harassment, intimidation, and bullying. The investigation shall be completed as soon as practicable but generally no later than five (5) school days from the initial complaint or report.

The results of the investigation shall be reported to the Superintendent WITHIN TWO DAYS of the completion of the investigation.

HIB Reporting Form (PDF)