Edmonds School District No. 15
Lynnwood, WA 98036-5789
8207 - HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, OR BULLYING
Adopted
6/17/03
Revised
7/10/07
The Edmonds School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying for all students, employees, volunteers, and patrons. "Harassment, intimidation, or bullying" is intentional written, verbal, electronic, or physical action which:
- Physically or emotionally harms a student or damages the student's property; or
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education; 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.
The act of bullying is repeated negative and intentional actions, such as exclusion and intimidation designed to target and hurt a specific person. In bullying situations an imbalance of power exists in which the target has difficulty defending him or herself. Bullying can be physical, verbal, non-verbal or psychological and may be done by a single individual or a group. Bullying, harassment, or intimidation can also be carried out via electronic means by a student on school grounds during the school day.
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, verbal, or physical actions. These acts may be motivated by characteristics in RCW 9A.36.080(3) including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, or by other distinguishing characteristics such as physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socio-economic status, gender identity, and marital status. The victim does not actually have to possess the characteristic for which he/she is being bullied, harassed, or intimidated.