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Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying

Our School Protects Students from Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)

We strive to make our school a safe and inclusive environment where all students are protected from Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), including in the classroom, on the school bus, in school sports, and during other school activities. This section explains what HIB is, what to do when you see or experience it, and how our school responds to it.

 

What is HIB?

State law (RCW 28A.600.477(5)(b)(i)) defines HIB as “any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act including, but not limited to, one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 28A.640.010 and 28A.642.010 (discrimination based on a protected status) or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act:

(A) Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property;

(B) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;

(C) Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or

(D) Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.”

 

HIB often involves one student having, or appearing to have, more power than another student. While HIB often appears as repeated behaviors, it is important to take single serious incidents seriously. It usually happens more than once or is very likely to happen again. HIB is against the law in our schools.

 

HIB policy only applies to actions between students. It does not cover harassment, intimidation, or bullying of an employee, volunteer, parent/legal guardian, or community member.

 

How can I make a report about HIB?

Talk to any school staff member, start with whoever you feel most comfortable with, such as a teacher, counselor, coach, or other school staff. You can report HIB by telling school staff in person or in writing (written reports can be made in your home language; please ask your school or district for support with translation). You can make your report anonymously/without giving your name or confidentially (asking that your name not be shared with other students or parents/caregivers involved). No student will be disciplined based only on an anonymous or confidential report.

If a staff member learns about, sees, or hears HIB happening, they must act quickly to stop the behavior(s) and keep it or them from happening again. Our district also has a HIB Compliance Officer Kristen Haizlip, Associate Superintendent
 – 206-780-1058 – khaizlip@bisd303.org – 8489 Madison Avenue N. Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, who helps prevent and respond to HIB.

Bainbridge Island School District follows state law and has appropriate policies and procedures in place that address the prohibition of harassment, intimidation and bullying.

What happens after I make a report about HIB?

When you report HIB, school staff must act quickly to stop the behavior and prevent it from happening again. If you and the school agree the problem is resolved, then no further action may be needed. But, if you feel that you or someone you know is facing HIB that is unresolved, severe, or keeps happening, you should ask for an official HIB investigation by completing an Incident Reporting Form.

The school must also make sure that students who report HIB are not treated badly for speaking up. This is called retaliation, and it is not allowed.

 

What is the investigation process?

The HIB investigation begins if you submit the HIB Incident Report Form [link], and the incident meets the definition of HIB toward a student. When you submit the Incident Reporting Form, the HIB Compliance Officer or the staff member leading the investigation must notify the families of the students involved that a complaint was received. They must make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The investigation is usually finished within five school days. If it takes longer, the school will keep you updated, generally once a week, until it is done.

 

When the investigation is complete, the HIB Compliance Officer or the staff member leading the investigation must share the results with you within two school days.

 

This response should include:

  • A summary of what the investigation found
  • A decision about whether the HIB was substantiated (found to have happened)
  • Any steps the school will take to address the problem
  • Clear information about how you can appeal the decision

 

If HIB is confirmed, the school will address it.

 

 

What are the next steps if I disagree with the outcome?

For the student named as the “targeted student” in a complaint:

If you disagree with the school district’s decision, you may appeal. To appeal, send a written request asking the superintendent (or the person they've assigned) to review the investigation. They will send you a written decision.

 

For the student named as the “aggressor” in a complaint:

A student found to be an “aggressor” in a HIB complaint may not appeal the decision of the investigation itself. They can, however, appeal any corrective actions (consequences) that come from the HIB investigation findings.

 

What information may I have about other students?

Student privacy laws limit what the school can tell you about any intervention or discipline given to another student. You will be told whether HIB was found to have happened and that steps were taken, even if the details of those steps impacting all students involved cannot be shared.

 

Policy 3207 and Procedure 3207  -  Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying, were revised and adopted in September 2023. 

How do I make a HIB complaint about a staff member?

This process is for concerns about one student harassing, intimidating, or bullying another student. If your concern is about a staff member's behavior, ask your school for information on how to report it.

 

The district is committed to a safe and civil educational environment that is free from the harassment, intimidation or bullying of any student. As defined in Chapter 28A.600 RCW (Students) “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to, one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 28A.640.010 and RCW 28A-642.010, or other distinguishing characteristics, when the act:

  • Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property.
  • Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education.
  • Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment.
  • Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. 

Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation or bullying.

“Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to: physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status and weight.

“Intentional acts” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s).

This policy and accompanying procedure do not govern harassment, intimidation, or bullying of an employee, volunteer, parent/legal guardian, or community member.

Harassment and bullying are clearly defined by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. OSPI also has information on their School Safety Center website about bullying and harassment. Other resources include two FAQ PowerPoint presentations: one on Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying and a second on Cyberbullying.

If you need to report an incident, please use the Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Reporting Form.

If you have questions or concerns about harassment, bullying and intimidation, please contact your student's principal, or you may contact the Bainbridge Island School District's Harassment, Bullying and Intimidation Compliance Officer, Kristen Haizlip at 206-780-1058 or khaizlip@bisd303.org.

Bullying Prevention

Bainbridge Island School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/legal guardians, volunteers, and patrons, that is free from harassment., intimidation or bullying.

In order to ensure respect and prevent harm, it is a violation of District Policy 3207 for a student to be harassed, intimidated or bullied. BISD strives to provide students with optimal conditions for learning by maintaining a school environment where everyone is treated with respect and no one is physically or emotionally harmed. Procedure 3207 explains and/or defines harassment, intimidation and bullying, prevention, the role of the Compliance Officer, staff intervention. the specific steps in filing an incident report, and more.

Policies, Procedures, Forms - (click on the links and scan down to the correct policy or procedure, which are numerically listed):

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying is an intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act that:

  • Physically harms a student or damages the student's property.
  • Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education.
  • Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment.
  • Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Reporting:

If your child feels he/she has been harassed or bullied, the incident(s) should be reported immediately to a teacher, counselor, or principal, or directly to Compliance Officer Kristen Haizlip, khaizlip@bisd303.org, 206-780-1058. Children bullied on the bus may report information to Transportation Supervisor, Mary Howes, mhowes@bisd303.org, 206-780-1856.


Resources: