HARASSMENT/BULLYING

All students at Horizon Science Academy of Lorain have the right to feel that they are physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe.

 

Anti-Harassment, Anti-Intimidation, and Anti-Bullying Policy

Section One

It is the policy of the Board of Directors of Horizon Science Academy of Lorain that any form of bullying behavior, whether in the classroom, on Academy property, to and from the Academy, or at Academy-sponsored events, is expressly forbidden.

Students who have been determined to have engaged in prohibited behaviors are subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension or expulsion from school. Horizon Science Academy of Lorain’s commitment to addressing such prohibited behaviors, however, involves a multifaceted approach, which includes education and the promotion of a school atmosphere in which harassment, intimidation, or bullying will not be tolerated by students, faculty, or school personnel.

It is imperative that harassment, intimidation, or bullying be identified only when the specific elements of the definition are met because the designation of such prohibited incidents carries special statutory obligations. However, misconduct by one student against another student, whether or not appropriately defined as harassment, intimidation, or bullying, will result in appropriate disciplinary consequences for the perpetrator.

 

Section Two: Definition of Terms

“Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” means any intentional written, verbal, graphic, or physical act that a student or group of students exhibits toward another particular student more than once, and the behavior both:

1. Causes mental or physical harm to the other student; and

2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student.

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying also means electronically transmitted acts, i.e., Internet, cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or wireless handheld device, that a student has exhibited toward another particular student more than once, and the behavior both:

1. Causes mental or physical harm to the other student or school personnel; and

2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student or school personnel.

Additionally, “harassment, intimidation, or bullying” means any violence within a dating relationship.

In evaluating whether conduct constitutes harassment, intimidation, or bullying, special attention should be paid to the words chosen or the actions taken, whether such conduct occurred in front of others or was communicated to others, how the perpetrator interacted with the victim, and the motivation, either admitted or appropriately inferred.

The behaviors outlined above are prohibited on or immediately adjacent to school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided transportation, or at any official school bus stop that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will violate this policy.

An Academy-sponsored activity shall mean any activity conducted on or off Academy property (including Academy buses and other Academy-related vehicles) that is sponsored, recognized, or authorized by the Ohio Board of Education. Transportation of students covered by this policy in rental vehicles or in privately owned vehicles to or from Academy-sponsored activities shall be subject to this paragraph.

 

HARASSMENT/BULLYING

Section Three: Types of Conduct Affected by This Policy

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying can include many different behaviors, including overt intent to ridicule, humiliate, or intimidate another student or Academy personnel. Examples of conduct that could constitute prohibited behaviors include:

• Physical violence and/or attacks;

• Threats, taunts, and intimidation through words and/or gestures, including, but not limited to, disparaging a student on the basis of race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, political or religious affiliation, physical characteristics, academic or athletic performance, disability, or English language proficiency;

• Extortion, damage to, or stealing of money and/or possessions;

• Exclusion from the peer group or spreading rumors; and

• Repetitive and hostile behavior with the intent to harm others through the use of information and communication technologies and other web-based/online sites (also known as “cyberbullying”), such as the following:

  • Posting slurs on websites where students congregate or on weblogs (personal online journals or diaries);

  • Sending abusive or threatening instant messages or emails;

  • Using camera phones to take embarrassing photographs of students and posting them online;

  • Using websites to circulate gossip and rumors to other students; and

  • Excluding others from an online group by falsely reporting them for inappropriate language to Internet service providers.

 

Section Four: Complaint Processes and Publication of the Prohibition Against Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying and Related Procedures

The prohibition against harassment, intimidation, or bullying shall be publicized in student handbooks and in the publications that set forth the comprehensive rules, procedures, and standards of conduct for Horizon Science Academy of Lorain Elementary, Middle, and High Schools and the students who are enrolled in the same.

In addition, information regarding the policy shall be incorporated into employee training materials. The following statement shall be included:

“Harassment, intimidation, or bullying behavior by any student/school personnel in Horizon Science Academy of Lorain’s Elementary, Middle, and High Schools is strictly prohibited, and such conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion from school.”

“Harassment, intimidation, or bullying,” in accordance with House Bill 276, means any intentional written, verbal, graphic, or physical acts, including electronically transmitted acts, i.e., Internet, cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or wireless handheld device.

 

HARASSMENT/BULLYING 

Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational process and shall be prohibited at all times. Any gesture or physical act, or written or verbal expression, that may harm another student or damage another student’s property or reputation will not be tolerated.

Physical or psychological intimidation of a student through violence, threats, teasing, taunting, put-downs, name-calling, gossip, ostracizing, or sexual harassment is expressly forbidden. This includes any actions that insult or demean any student or group of students in such a way as to interfere with school culture or Horizon Science Academy of Lorain’s educational mission.

Therefore, if at any time you feel you are the subject of harassment, hazing, threats, or other intimidating behavior, you should immediately speak to an administrator or teacher about the problem.

Similarly, if you are concerned about the safety of another student who seems to be the subject of harassment, hazing, or threats, you should immediately speak to an administrator about the problem.

The situation will be investigated as soon as possible. All reports like this will be kept completely confidential.

A bullying contract is signed by all of our students for accountability purposes, and buddy bracelets are also distributed to students to promote positive relationships and interactions among their peers.

 

This is our No-Taunting Pledge

I will pledge to be part of the solution.

I will eliminate taunting from my own behavior.

I will encourage others to do the same.

I will do my part to make my community a safe place by being more sensitive to others.

I will set the example of a caring individual.

I will eliminate profanity towards others from my language.

I will not let my words or actions hurt others.

And if others won’t become part of the solution, I will.