When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful, and they do it once, that’s RUDE.
When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful, and they do it once, that’s MEAN.
Sometimes people don’t get along, and they engage in “mean behavior.” Mean behavior does not always rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Mean behavior should be reported to school officials, but it will be addressed differently than harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB).
A key characteristic that differentiates “mean behavior” from harassment, intimidation, or bullying is that HIB creates a hostile environment for the victim:
Hostile Environment: an environment created when the conduct is so severe that it limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s services, activities, and opportunities. Physical illness, anxiety about going to school, or a decline in grades or attendance could signal a hostile environment.
In addition to defining “hostile environment,” the following definitions are provided to help you determine whether the behavior of concern should be reported to school authorities as an incident of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying:
- HARASSMENT: Any one-sided act which causes physical or mental harm, damages another’s property, or threatens a person or group and puts them in reasonable fear of harm to person or property. It does not have to involve repeated incidents. It occurs when conduct is based on a student’s protected class (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or physical disability) OR other distinguishing characteristics (for example, physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status, or weight). There is no requirement that the targeted student actually possess the characteristic that is the basis for the harassment. Harassment creates a hostile environment at school.
- DISCRIMINATORY HARASSMENT: If you experience or witness discriminatory harassment based on membership in a protected class (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or physical disability), you can report discriminatory harassment to your school principal or to the Civil Rights Compliance Officer. studentachievement@nthurston.k12.wa.us, or in person or by U.S. Mail at 305 College St. NE. Lacey, WA 98516. To read the district’s complete policy on non-discrimination, please consult NTPS Policy 3210.
- SEXUAL HARASSMENT: unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature and leads the student to believe they must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communication to gain something in return, or the conduct substantially interferes with a student’s educational performance or creates a hostile environment. Report sexual harassment to any school staff member or to the Title IX Compliance Officer, Sean Dotson at 360-412-4453, hr@nthurston.k12.wa.us, or in person or by U.S. mail at 305 College St. NE. Lacey, WA 98516. The Title IX Compliance Officer can help you decide if any action needs to be taken and how best to address your situation. To read the district’s complete policy on sexual harassment, please consult NTPS Policy 3205.
- INTIMIDATION: Implied or overt threats of physical violence that substantially interfere with a student’s education and creates a hostile environment at school.
- BULLYING: Unwanted aggressive behavior by another person or group who are not siblings or current dating partners that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. It results in physical, psychological, social, or educational harm. It creates a hostile environment at school.
- CYBERBULLYING: Willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. Examples include text messages or emails, rumors posted on social networking sites, sexted or other embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles. Because cyberbullying messages can be rapidly sent to many people, they can cause considerable damage to children.
- SEXUAL ASSAULT: In the case of sexual assault, the victim is encouraged to contact 9-1-1 immediately to report the incident to the police. If sexual assault is reported to any school official and the police have not been notified, that official must follow mandated reporting laws and notify law enforcement of the alleged assault. According to Washington State Law (RCW 70.125.030), “sexual assault” means one or more of the following:
- Rape or rape of a child;
- Assault with intent to commit rape or rape of a child;
- Incest or indecent liberties;
- Child molestation;
- Sexual misconduct with a minor;
- Crimes with a sexual motivation;
- Custodial sexual misconduct;
- Sexual exploitation or commercial sex abuse of a minor;
- Promoting prostitution;
- An attempt to commit any of the aforementioned offenses.
