A Reference Guide of the Bakersfield City School District

(a) Disciplinary MeasuresAny student who engages in sexual harassment of anyone at school or at a school-sponsored or school-relatedactivity is in violation of this policy and shall be subject to disciplinary action. For students in grades 4 through 8,disciplinary action may include suspension and/or expulsion, provided that in imposing such discipline the entirecircumstances of the incident(s) shall be taken into account.(b) Record-KeepingThe Superintendent or designee shall maintain a record of all reported cases of sexual harassment to enable thedistrict to monitor, address and prevent repetitive harassing behavior in its schools.All complaints and allegations of sexual harassment shall be kept confidential except as necessary to carry out theinvestigation or take other subsequent necessary action (Title 5 California Code of Regulations 4964).(cf. Board Policy 300.49—Unauthorized Release of Confidential/Privileged Information)If a situation involving sexual harassment is not promptly investigated and remediated by the principal or designee, acomplaint of harassment may be filed in accordance with the district’s uniform complaint procedures (See sectionentitled “Complaint Procedures” in this Guide.Nondiscrimination, Harassment, Bullying and ThreatsThe Governing Board intends to provide students with a school environment in which all members of the schoolcommunity are treated fairly and with respect. Harassment, bullying, and threats interfere with or limit the ability of anindividual to participate in or benefit from the District’s programs and activities. Intimidation, harassment, bullying,and threats of a student are prohibited whether the acts are committed by an employee, student or other person in thedistrict. Hate-motivated behavior or other types of bias-motivated misconduct are also prohibited. Students whoharass, bully or threaten other students or commit acts of hate-motivated or bias motivated misconduct shall be subjectto appropriate discipline, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion.Board Policy 601.12: Hate-Motivated BehaviorBoard Policy 601.13: Nondiscrimination, Harassment, Bullying and ThreatsBullying and Cyberbullying: Guidance for ParentsConduct and DisciplineThe Bullying comes in many forms. It can be punching, kicking, throwing objects or other physical forms. Bullyingcan also be teasing, insulting, demeaning conduct, name-calling, and other types of abuse. Bullying can also be doneby spreading lies and rumors, arranging for someone to hurt another person, ignoring, and excluding someone.Additionally, bullying happens through electronic means—writing or images placed on the Internet, cell phones oranother device. We usually describe mistreatment of another person as “bullying” when there is a power imbalancebetween the bully and his/her victim.Bullying can have a range of bad outcomes on the victim. It can affect how a student views himself/herself. A bulliedstudent may become anxious or depressed. A student may not want to attend school. Bullying may result in a studentfailing in school.What can be done? District schools have taken steps to identify and stop bullying in the school setting. The DistrictDiscipline Code forbids bullying. Prohibited conduct may be described in the Discipline Code as harassment,intimidation, sexual harassment, threats, hate violence or bullying. Any of these acts can happen electronically. If youthink bullying acts involving the school have occurred, please promptly contact the principal or principal designee.Bullying acts also occur outside of school. Since many students have cell phones and use the Internet, there are manyopportunities to bully. Parents can help prevent bullying by talking to their students. Ask about school, friends,activities, and use of electronic devices. Look for signs the student may be a victim of bullying or cyberbullying.Learn more about texting, social networking, posting images and messages, and use of mobile phones. Teach yourstudent about the forms of bullying, how to avoid it, how to respond and how to report it. Contact your internet serviceprovider. Ask them how parents can monitor their children’s activities and block access to inappropriate sites. Findout what your student is doing online and talk to them about it. Teach your student to protect their personalinformation. They should not share private information (e.g., full names, addresses, phone numbers, or passwords).51