School District of Prairie Farm  

Student Harassment, Bullying, and Cyber-Bullying

The District shall provide a learning environment where all students may participate in the curricular and extracurricular activities free from any form of harassment or intimidation by employees or other students, including sexual harassment, bullying, and cyber-bullying. The District is committed to creating an environment that treats all students with dignity and respect and promotes tolerance and cooperation throughout the District.

Harassment refers to physical or verbal conduct which interferes with a student’s school performance, or which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive school environment.

Harassment or intimidation can include, but is not limited to the following:  physical or mental abuse, racial insults, ethnic slurs, religious slurs, and sexual harassment.  

Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome physical or verbal conduct of a sexual nature.  “Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature” includes but is not limited to the deliberate, repeated making of unsolicited gestures or comments, or the deliberate, repeated display of offensive sexually graphic materials.  It is the policy of the District that sexual relationships between staff and students are not permissible in any form or under any circumstances, in or out of the work place, in that it interferes with the educational process and involves elements of coercion by reason of the relative status of a staff member to a student.  

Bullying is defined as a form of aggression in which there is an imbalance of power between the bully and the victim.  Bullying can be physical, verbal, or psychological and is usually of a repetitive nature.  It can be direct (face to face) or indirect (behind someone’s back).  Indirect bullying includes, but is not limited to, exclusion or gossip.

Cyber-bullying or on-line bullying is the term used to refer to bullying and harassment by use of electronic devices including but not limited to email, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, websites, etc. 

The District shall not tolerate any form of harassment or bullying and shall attempt to prevent such disrespectful behavior.  Any student or employee who engages in harassment shall be disciplined in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Any student who believes he/she has been or is being harassed or has knowledge that a policy violation has occurred may file a written complaint in accordance with the procedures set forth in 411.1 Procedure.  There shall be no retaliation against any student who, in good faith, files a complaint under this policy.  Any person who engages in retaliatory conduct against a complainant in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

This policy applies to all off-site school activities including, but not limited to, school-sponsored trips and athletic events, and at all times on school premises.

Cross Reference:                  411 - Equal Educational Opportunity

                                                411.1 Rule- Student Harassment, Bullying, and Cyber-Bullying Complaint Procedure

                                                411.1 Exhibit- Student Harassment, Bullying, and Cyber-Bullying Complaint Form

                                                510 - Policy Rule

Legal Ref.:                             Sections 111.31, 118.01(2)(d)8, 118.13, 118.164, 118.195,

                                                118.20, 120.13(1), 947.0125, 947.013, 948.51(2), Wisconsin Statutes

                                                PI 9, Wisconsin Administrative Code

                                                Title IX, Education Amendment of 1972

                                                Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

                                                Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

                                                Americans with Disabilities Act

STUDENT USE AND/OR POSSESSION OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Students are permitted to possess a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, personal music/ video/gaming device, camera, or other personal electronic devices with communications functions during the school day and during school activities, provided that the device remains stored, powered off, and unused. Students who possess such a device do so at their own risk to possible loss, damage, or liability.

Principals are authorized to establish school rules and acceptable use guidelines for limited, non-disruptive use of electronic devices during the school day in the school building or during school activities for safety, medical, vocational or other legitimate reasons.

Cameras or electronic communication devices shall not be used in the following ways:

• In areas where one would reasonably expect privacy, i.e., locker rooms, bathrooms, etc.
• To communicate test answers, photograph tests, or engage in any other conduct that enables students to cheat.
• To share or post personal information about, or images of, any other student or staff member without permission from that student or staff member.
• To engage in cyber bullying–placing cell phone calls or sending text messages that ridicule, threaten, or harass another student.
• To take, disseminate, transfer or share lewd, or otherwise illegal images or photographs.

Possession of an electronic device by a student is a privilege which may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this policy or otherwise engages in misuse of this privilege.

Nothing within this policy shall limit a student’s ability to use an electronic device in a manner that functions as assistive technology necessary for a student’s education and that is required under an individualized education plan or a Section 504 plan.

The inappropriate use of electronic devices by students while on campus or engaging in school activities is subject to disciplinary action. The inappropriate use of such devices by students while off campus and not engaging in school activities may also be subject to disciplinary action if such conduct endangers the health, safety, or property of others at school or under the supervision of school authorities and/or causes a material and substantial disruption to the school environment or school activities. Students involved in activities that interfere with the rights of other students to participate fully in school or extracurricular activities will also be in violation of this policy.

Violation of this policy by students will result in disciplinary action to be included in school site handbooks. Disciplinary action may include the following:

• Revocation of District technology use privileges.
• Application of school disciplinary practices and procedures.
• Notification of law enforcement officials.
• Notification of parents/guardians or legal custodians.
• Notification of the activities director and/or co-curricular coaches/advisors.
• Notification of the Superintendent or designee.
• Suspension from school.
• Recommendation for expulsion.

Electronic devices that are used inappropriately may be confiscated and held by school officials for return to student or parent(s)/guardian(s), retained for disciplinary reasons, or turned over to law enforcement officers.

The rules related to this policy will be published in student handbooks and distributed annually.

LEGAL REF.:            Section 118.258 Wisconsin Statutes

CROSS REF.:             443, Student Behavior and Conduct

GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT USE AND/OR POSSESSION OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES

1. Students who bring cellular phone, personal digital assistant, personal music/ video/gaming device, camera, or other personal electronic devices with communications functions to school are responsible for keeping their them turned off and stored in their locker during the school day, which includes the full period of time between the beginning of the first class and the end of the last class of the day, unless there is an emergency situation that jeopardizes the safety of students or staff. Students’ in grades 9-12 will have the ability to use cellular phone, personal digital assistant, personal music/ video/gaming device, camera, or other personal electronic devices with communications functions during Panther Time and during the high school lunch time. Students may also use cellular phones, personal digital assistant, personal music/ video/gaming device, camera, or other personal electronic devices with communications functions within the classroom setting for educational purposes with the permission of the supervising teacher.

2. Students shall not turn on or use cellular phone, personal digital assistant, personal music/ video/gaming device, camera, or other personal electronic devices with communications functions during school-sponsored activities, events, or field trips, unless they receive permission from the supervising teacher, coach, or bus driver or if there is an emergency situation that jeopardizes the safety of students, staff, chaperones, or the bus driver.

3. Any parent or guardian who wants his/her child to use a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, personal music/ video/gaming device, camera, or other personal electronic devices with communications functions at an unauthorized time may submit a request to the Pre K-12 Principal explaining the reasons for the unauthorized use. The Principal’s decision shall be final.

Infractions* of this policy will result in the following:

1^st Offense- cellular phone, personal digital assistant, personal music/ video/gaming device, camera, or other personal electronic devices with communications functions is taken away and returned at the end of the school day.

2^rd Offense- cellular phone, personal digital assistant, personal music/ video/gaming device, camera, or other personal electronic devices with communications functions is taken away and a parent or guardian must come into school in person to pick up the phone.

*- Repeated infractions of this rule may result in additional consequences such as detentions, suspensions, or possibly expulsion.

Cross Ref.:                  443.5 Student Use of Electronic Devices