Palisades Christian Academy

Harassment-Bullying

The below information can also be downloaded here.

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
 
While harassment, intimidation, and bullying are social acts, it can be a private matter.  It is PCA’s responsibility to deal with it in an appropriate and timely manner, once the problem is brought to our attention.  It is the responsibility of the students and parent to report the bullying, intimidation, or harassment to a PCA staff member as soon as it occurs.

As outlined by Washington State Legislature RCW 28A.300.285, and policy #3207:

Harassment, intimidation, and bullying are prohibited.  Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by any characteristic (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability), or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional written, verbal, or physical act:

• Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s property; or
• Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying.  “Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to:  physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status, gender identity, and marital status.  Harassment, intimidation, or bullying can take many forms including:  slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral, or physical actions.  “Intentional acts” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the actions.

This policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the educational environment.  Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may still be prohibited by other school policies, classroom, or program rules.

Depending upon the frequency and severity of the conduct, intervention, counseling, correction, discipline and/or referral to law enforcement will be used to remediate the impact on the victim and the climate and change the behavior of the perpetrator.  This includes appropriate intervention, restoration of a positive climate, and support for victims and others impacted by the violation.  False reports or retaliation for harassment, intimidation, or bullying also constitute violation of the policy.

Retaliation/False Allegations

Retaliation is prohibited and will result in appropriate discipline. It is a violation of this policy to threaten or harm someone for reporting harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

It is also a violation of district policy to knowingly report false allegations of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Students or employees will not be disciplined for making a report in good faith. However, persons found to knowingly report or corroborate false allegations will be subject to appropriate discipline.

Family Privacy Act

The right of parents to access information is limited to their own child or children. If the education record includes information about other students, that information must be removed prior to disclosure so that parents do not have access to any other child’s records. (34 CFR § 99.12).