Policy 9460 – Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation Involving Students

The HCPSS will work to ensure that HCPSS school environments are free from incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

The display of symbols, images, language, materials, or items that demean an identifiable person or group or are reasonably perceived as promoting hatred, intimidation, or harassment, such as but not limited to, swastikas and confederate flag symbols, are prohibited on school property or at school-related activities and are subject to the standards of this policy.

HCPSS employees and school bus contractors will receive annual professional development on the provisions of this policy. This professional development will include supports for targeted students, prevention education, interventions and supports for students exhibiting bullying, cyberbullying, harassing, or intimidating behavior, as well as procedures for reporting bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

The prevention and intervention strategies of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation will be presented to all students in prekindergarten through grade twelve.

HCPSS will adhere to the Education Article §§7-424-424.3 of the Maryland Annotated Code.

All HCPSS schools will follow established procedures for bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation prevention, investigation, intervention, and provision of supports as outlined in the implementation procedures.

Students engaging in bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation will be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action.

In an effort to maintain a positive school culture, consequences for violations of this policy will be administered in accordance with Policy 9200 Student Discipline, the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct, and all applicable state and federal laws. Prior violations of this policy will be considered when determining consequences.

Retaliation against anyone who has reported bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation is prohibited and may be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action.

An HCPSS employee who reports an act of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation under the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, §7-424.1 in accordance with the county board’s policy is not civilly liable for any act or omission in reporting or failing to report an act of bullying, harassment, or intimidation under this policy.

HCPSS will report incidents of bullying, harassment, or intimidation against students on public school property to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), in accordance with the Education Article §7-424.

The HCPSS will ensure the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation (BCHI) Form is used to report alleged incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation that occur on school property, at a school-sponsored activity, or have a connection or nexus back to the school setting that create a risk of harm to other students while they are at school, or interfere with the educational environment. The form will be made available electronically on the school system’s website as well as paper copies at each school.

The HCPSS will provide annual professional development for HCPSS employees and school bus contractors on the provisions of this policy.

The Superintendent/designee will ensure that students, parents, HCPSS employees, and other individuals on school property are notified of the provisions of this policy annually.

The Superintendent/designee will ensure that this policy is highlighted in the school system’s student handbook and on the HCPSS website.

The Superintendent/designee will ensure appropriate action is taken in response to a violation of this policy.

The Superintendent/designee and/or school administrators will ensure that all illegal behaviors are reported to the appropriate social service agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the MSDE.

School administrators/supervisors will notify those under their supervision of the provisions of this policy.

Students, parents, HCPSS employees, and other individuals on school property will report alleged incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation.

School administrators/supervisors will ensure compliance with the Education Article §§7-424-424.3 of the Maryland Annotated Code.

School administrators/supervisors will take immediate action to protect targeted students regardless of how the alleged bullying is reported.

School administrators/supervisors will ensure that professional development regarding this policy occurs annually.

School administrators/supervisors will implement systemwide procedures for prevention and intervention of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

School administrators/supervisors will investigate and address all reported incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation in accordance with this policy and applicable laws.

School administrators, supervisors, or the Director of Program Innovation and Student Well-Being/designee will provide appropriate assistance to students, parents, and other individuals who have been affected by behavior prohibited in this policy.

The Department of Program Innovation and Student Well-Being will compile and report bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation data to the Board.

All students, parents, HCPSS employees, and other individuals on school property will maintain a safe and supportive school climate.

Bullying – Unwanted, demeaning behavior among students or employees that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or is highly likely to be repeated, over time. To be considered bullying, the behavior must be intentional and include: 1) an imbalance of power (students who bully use their physical, emotional, social, or academic power to control, exclude, or harm others), and 2) repetition (bullying behaviors happen more than once or are highly likely to be repeated based on evidence gathered).

Community – The society at large which includes, but is not limited to families, businesses, faith communities, government agencies, nonprofit service organizations, other organizations, and individuals.

Cyberbullying – Bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through texting, apps, or online via social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or hurtful content about another person. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

Harassment – Includes actual or perceived negative actions that offend, ridicule, or demean another person with regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, family/parental or marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, disability, or political opinion.

HCPSS Employee – Any individual who is a permanent or temporary employee of the HCPSS whose compensation is paid in whole or part by the Board, including but not limited to, teachers, substitute teachers, paraeducators, and other school-based and Central Office support staff.

Intimidation – Any communication or action directed against another person that threatens or induces a sense of fear and/or inferiority. Retaliation may be considered a form of intimidation.

Parent – Any one of the following, recognized as the adult(s) legally responsible for the child or vulnerable adult:

Retaliation – The act or process of threatening or otherwise penalizing a person for reporting an alleged violation of this policy or for participating in an investigation of an alleged violation.

School Bus Contractor – A legal entity approved to operate school buses when awarded a school bus contract by the Board.

School Property – Any property owned or leased by the HCPSS or used by HCPSS for school-related activities. The concept of property extends to school activities such as field trips, use of parks and recreation facilities, proms at hotels, etc. School buses, school bus stops, and facilities scheduled by the school system for student use are considered an extension of school property.

School-Related Activity – Any school system activity, on or off school property, in which a student directly participates (e.g. school field trip, athletic event, or class/graduation activity), or an activity in which the student does not directly participate but represents the school or student body simply by being present (e.g. spectator at a school event).