Bullying & Harassment Prevention

The Buena Park School District is committed to providing a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the District’s academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities. As such, the District prohibits, at any district school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying targeted at any student by anyone based on the student’s actual race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; the perception of one or more of such characteristics.

The following information, including links to applicable Board-adopted policies, specifically provides students and parents/guardians with the state and local resources that help with the identification and prevention of bullying and harassment at school and beyond the school setting.

The District’s compliance officers may be contacted at:

Paul Deines
Chief Personnel Officer
6885 Orangethorpe Avenue
Buena Park, CA 90620
(714) 522-8412
pdeines@bpsd.us

Madeline Morrison
Director, Student and Community Services
6885 Orangethorpe Avenue
Buena Park, CA 90620
(714) 736-4253
mmorrison@bpsd.us

Bullying: Board Policy 5131.2 │ Administrative Regulation 5131.2

Hate-Motivated Behavior: Board Policy 5145.9

Nondiscrimination/Harassment: Board Policy 5145.3 │ Administrative Regulation 5145.3

Sexual Harassment: Board Policy 5145.7 │ Administrative Regulation 5145.7

Uniform Complaint Procedures: Board Policy 1312.3 │ Administrative Regulation 1312.3

FILING A COMPLAINT

Any student, parent/guardian, or other individual who believes that a student has been subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, or bullying or who has witnessed unlawful discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, or bullying is strongly encouraged to report the incident to a teacher, the principal, a compliance officer, or any other available school employee. Complaints will be investigated and resolved in accordance with law and the District’s uniform complaint procedures specified in Administrative Regulation 1312.3 or other applicable procedures.

DEFINITIONS

34 CFR 106.2 Sexual harassment (Title IX)

EC 212.5 Sexual harassment

EC 230 Discrimination and harassment based on sex

EC 48900(r) Bullying (for purposes of imposing suspension or expulsion and school transfers)

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* CFR = Code of Federal Regulations; EC = Education Code

ANTI-CYBERBULLYING PROCEDURES

Cyberbullying includes the electronic creation or transmission of harassing communications, direct threats, or other harmful texts, sounds, or images. Cyberbullying also includes breaking into another person’s electronic account or assuming that person’s online identity in order to damage that person’s reputation. Specific examples of the types of conduct that may constitute cyberbullying include ending demeaning or hateful text messages or emails, spreading rumors by email or by posting on social networking sites, or posting or sharing embarrassing photos, videos, websites, or fake profiles.

As appropriate, students will be provided with instruction, in the classroom or other educational settings, that promotes social-emotional learning, effective communication and conflict resolution skills, character development, respect for cultural and individual differences, self-esteem development, assertiveness skills, and appropriate online behavior. Students are taught the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, how to advocate for themselves, how to help another student who is being bullied/cyberbullied, and when to seek assistance from a trusted adult.

To discourage cyberbullying, teachers may advise students to be cautious about sharing passwords, personal data, or private photos online and to consider the consequences of making negative comments about others online. When cyberbullying occurs, individuals with information about the activity will be encouraged to save and print any electronic or digital messages sent to them that they feel constitute cyberbullying and to notify staff of the same.

SOCIAL MEDIA BULLYING

Cyberbullying can occur online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. The following links provide tips and resources for students and parents to prevent from being a target of, or participating in, cyberbullying.

Common Sense Media

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

StopBullying.gov

Digital Awareness for Parents

Social Media and Apps

Cyberbullying and Online Gaming