Hawthorne School Parent-Student Handbook 2016-2017
HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING (HIB)
Bullying, harassment and intimidation are defined as any gesture, written, verbal, physical act,
or electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents, that is
reasonably perceived as being motivated by either any actual or perceived characteristic, such
as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability, or by any other distinguishing
characteristic, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a
school bus, or off school property and that:
1. A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of
physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student‘s property, or
placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his person or
damage to his property; or
2. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way
as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly
operation of school or the rights of others students; or
3. Creates a hostile educational environment for that student by interfering with the
student‘s education or by severely or pervasively causing person or emotional harm to
the student.
School employees (or contracted service providers) who have witnessed or have reliable
information that a student has been subject to harassment, intimidation, or bullying must
verbally report the information to the school Principal on the same day they discover the
information. The school employee and the Principal must complete a written report within two
school days of the initial verbal report. All staff members are immune from civil liability for
reports made in good faith. Reprisal and retaliation are prohibited against any person who
reports acts of student harassment, intimidation or bullying. Teachers or students may report
anonymously by placing a written report in the Principal‘s mailbox. However, formal
disciplinary action may not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report.
The Principal shall inform the parents/guardians of all students involved that an incident of
HIB has been reported. The Principal may discuss, as appropriate, the availability of
counseling and other intervention services. An investigation must be initiated by the Principal
within one day of the incident being reported verbally and the investigation must be conducted
by the school anti-bullying specialist in accordance with the Principal. The Principal may
appoint additional personnel to assist, if necessary. The investigation must be prompt,
thorough, and efficient. The investigation will permit reports that are oral, written or
electronic.
The anti-bullying specialist‘s investigation must be completed within ten (10) school days