No Bullying Allowed

What you need to know about student violence, harassment, intimidation & bullying

The Governing Board of the Pima County Joint Technical Education District believes it is the right of every student to be educated in a positive, safe, caring, and respectful learning environment. The Governing Board further believes a school environment that is inclusive of these traits maximizes student achievement, fosters student personal growth, and helps a student build a sense of community that promotes positive participation as citizens in society.

To assist in achieving a school environment based on the beliefs of the Governing Board, bullying in any form will not be tolerated.

Bullying may occur when a student or group of students engages in any form of behavior that includes such acts as intimidation and/or harassment that has the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm or damage to property; is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that the action, behavior, or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive environment in the form of physical or emotional harm; occurs when there is a real or perceived imbalance of power or strength; or may constitute a violation of law.

Bullying of a student or group of students can be manifested through written, verbal, physical, or emotional means and may occur in a variety of forms including, but not limited to, the following: verbal, written/printed or graphic exposure to derogatory comments, extortion, exploitation, name calling, or rumor spreading either directly through another person or group or through cyber-bullying; exposure to social exclusion or ostracism; physical contact including but not limited to pushing, hitting, kicking, shoving, or spitting; damage to or theft of personal property;

Cyber-bullying is, but not limited to, any act of bullying committed by use of electronic technology or electronic communication devices, including telephonic devices, social networking and other internet communications, on school computers, networks, forums and mailing lists, or other District-owned property, and by means of an individual’s personal electronic media and equipment.

Harassment is intentional behavior by a student or group of students that is disturbing or threatening to another student or group of students. Intentional behaviors that characterize harassment include, but are not limited to, stalking, hazing, social exclusion, name calling, unwanted physical contact and unwelcome verbal or written comments, photographs and graphics. Harassment may be related, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or marital status or any other reason not related to the students individual capabilities. Harassing behaviors can be direct or indirect and by use of social media.

Intimidation is intentional behavior by a student or group of students that places another student or group of students in fear of harm of person or property. Intimidation can be manifested emotionally or physically, either directly or indirectly, and by use of social media.

Students are prohibited from bullying on school grounds, school property, school buses, at school bus stops, at school sponsored events and activities, and through the use of electronic technology or electronic communication equipment on school computers, networks, forums, or mailing lists.

Disciplinary action may result for bullying which occurs outside of the school and the school day when such acts result in a substantial physical, mental, or emotional negative effect on the victim physically, while on school grounds, school property, school buses, at school bus stops, or at school sponsored events and activities, or when such act(s) interfere with the authority of the school system to maintain order. All suspected violations of law will be reported to local law enforcement.

Students who believe they are experiencing being bullied or suspect another student is bullied should report their concern to any staff member of the School District. School personnel are to maintain appropriate confidentiality of the reported information.

Reprisal by any student directed toward a student or employee related to the reporting of a case or a suspected case of bullying shall not be tolerated, and the individual(s) will be subject to the disciplines set out in applicable District policies and administrative regulations.

Students found to be bullying others will be disciplined up to and including suspension or expulsion from school.

Knowingly submitting a false report under this policy shall subject the student to discipline up to and
including suspension or expulsion. Where disciplinary action is necessary pursuant to any part of this
policy, relevant District policies shall be followed.

Law enforcement authorities shall be notified anytime District officials have a reasonable belief that an
incidence of bullying is a violation of the law.