Board of Education Policies concerning
harassment and intimidation of students

Civility, Policy KP

Equal Educational Opportunities, Policy JAA-R

Hazing, Policy JDAB

Racial Harassment - Students, Policy JGECA

Sexual Harassment - Students, JGEC

Excerpt from McPherson Middle School Handbook

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

McPherson USD 418 policy states, "District employees shall not sexually harass, or permit sexual harassment of a student by district employee, student, non-employee, or non-student.

Students who believe they have been subjected to sexual harassment should discuss the problem with the principal or another certified staff member.   Initiation of a sexual harassment complaint will not cause any adverse reflection on the student.   The initiation of a student's complaint shall not adversely affect the job security or status of any employee or student until a finding of fact determines that improper conduct occurred.   Strict confidentiality shall be maintained throughout the complaint procedure.

RACIAL HARASSMENT

McPherson USD 418 policy states: "Discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color or national origin shall not be tolerated in the school district.   Racial harassment of employees or students of the district by board members, administrators, certificate and support personnel, student, vendors, and any others having business or other contact with the school district is strictly prohibited."

Any student who believes he/she has been subjected to racial discrimination or harassment should discuss the problem with his/her principal or another certified staff member.   Initiation of a racial discrimination/harassment complaint will not cause any adverse reflection on the student.

Excerpt from McPherson High School Handbook

RACIAL HARASSMENT

Any student who believe he or she has been subjected to racial harassment or has witnessed an act of alleged racial harassment, should discuss the alleged harassment with the building principal, another administrator, a guidance counselor, or another certified staff member.   Any school employee who receives a complaint of racial harassment from a student shall inform the student of the employee's obligation to report the compliant and any proposed resolution of the complaint to the building principal.   If the building principal is the alleged harasser, the complaint shall be reported to the district compliance coordinator.   The building principal shall discuss the complaint with the student to determine if it can be resolved.   If the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student in this meeting, the student may initiate a formal complaint under the district's discrimination complaint procedure.

Sexual Harassment

McPherson USD 418 policy states, "District employees shall not sexually harass, or permit sexual harassment of a student by district employee, student, non-employee, or non-student.

Any student who believes he/she has been subjected to sexual harassment should discuss the problem with his/her principal or another certified staff member.   Initiation of a sexual harassment complaint will not cause any adverse reflection on the student.

Excerpt from McPherson Elementary School Handbook

Conduct/Expectations

    School is a place for learning.   School and home have a shared responsibility in developing self-disciplined children that behave in a manner that respects the rights of others to learn in a safe and productive environment. Each student is responsible for respecting the authority of all staff members, exhibiting behavior that does not interfere with the rights of others, following established school wide and classroom rules and procedures, and engaging in the act of learning.   Understanding that individual classrooms and buildings communicate more specific rules and procedures, below are district behavior expectations:

    Student Expectations in the Building:

·    Follow directions of all school personnel.

·    Be respectful of others.

-   No swearing or vulgar language

-   No cruel teasing, rude gestures or put-downs

-   Bullying and harassment will not be tolerated.

·    The use or possession of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs is not permitted and will be reported to law enforcement.

    Student Expectations in the Classroom:

·    Follow teacher directions.

·    Be respectful of others.

·    Be ready to learn.

·    Allow other students to learn.

    Student Expectations in the Lunchroom:

·    Follow directions of all school personnel.

·    Use appropriate table manners, keeping hands and feet to yourself.

    Student Expectations on the Playground:

·    Follow directions of all school personnel.

·    Stay on the school grounds at all times during the school day.

·    Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself at all times.

·    Follow specific school playground / sports equipment rules.

·    Dress appropriately for the weather.

·    Follow specific safety rules when the playground is wet from rain, ice, or snow.

Hazing

    The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe, positive environment for students and staff that is free from hazing.   Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational goals of the district and are prohibited at all times.   For purposes of this policy, hazing is defined as any activity that recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental health, physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or member in or affiliation with any organization or activity recognized by the board.   The school district does not condone any form of initiation or harassment, known as hazing, as part of any school-sponsored student activity.   No student, district employee, coach, sponsor, or volunteer shall plan, direct, encourage, assist or engage in any hazing activity.   The board encourages students who believe they have been subjected to hazing to report promptly such incidents to the building principal or staff person.   Any staff person receiving such reports shall communicate the information to the building principal.   Administrators will investigate all complaints of hazing and will assign appropriate discipline to any individual who violates this policy.   The district shall annually inform students, parents, coaches, sponsors, and district employees that hazing of district students is prohibited.

Racial Harassment

    Any student who believes he or she has been subjected to racial harassment or has witnessed an act of alleged racial harassment, should discuss the alleged harassment with the building principal, another administrator, a guidance counselor, or another certified staff member.   Any school employee who receives a complaint of racial harassment from a student shall inform the student of the employee's obligation to report the complaint and any proposed resolution of the complaint to the building principal.   If the building principal is the alleged harasser, the complaint shall be reported to the district compliance coordinator.   The building principal shall discuss the complaint with the student to determine if it can be resolved.   If the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student in this meeting, the student may initiate a formal complaint under the district's discrimination complaint procedure.

Sexual Harassment

    McPherson USD 418 policy states, "District employees shall not sexually harass, or permit sexual harassment of a student by a district employee, student, nonemployee, or nonstudent.   Neither shall a student sexually harass another student or students."

    Students who believe they have been subjected to sexual harassment, or parents who have a similar concern for their child, should discuss the problem with the principal, counselor or another certified staff member.   Initiation of a sexual harassment complaint will not cause any adverse reflection on the student.   The initiation of a student's complaint shall not adversely affect the status of any employee or student until a finding of fact determines that improper conduct occurred.   Strict confidentiality shall be maintained through the complaint procedure.   For more information concerning sexual harassment, please contact the building principal or counselor.

Sexual Harassment - Employees, Policy GAAC