7.5 Bullying and Harassment

Bullying and Harassment Board Policy 5131.2

This Board Policy applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.

The Governing Board recognizes the harmful effects of bullying and harassment on student well-being, learning and school attendance and desires to provide a welcoming, safe, and supportive school environment that protects students from physical and emotional harm. District employees shall establish student safety as a high priority and shall not tolerate bullying or harassment of any student. No individual or group shall, through physical, written, verbal, visual, or other means, harass, sexually harass, threaten, intimidate, cyberbully, cause bodily injury to, or engage in hate-motivated behavior against any student or school personnel, or retaliate against them for filing a complaint or participating in the complaint resolution process. Strategies for addressing bullying and harassment in District schools shall be developed with involvement of key stakeholders, including students, guardians, and staff, and shall be incorporated into the comprehensive safety plan, and, to the extent possible, into the local control and accountability plan, and other applicable District and school plans. 

Bullying is an aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power between individuals with the intent to cause emotional or physical harm. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social/relational and may involve a single severe act or repetition or potential repetition of a deliberate act. Bullying includes, but is not limited to, any act described in Education Code 48900(r). Bullying or harassment can be based on a protected class, as defined in BP 1312.3, BP 5145.9 and AR 5131.2, or can be based on other unknown reasons.  As appropriate, the Superintendent or designee may collaborate with law enforcement, courts, social services, mental health services, other agencies, and community organizations in the development and implementation of joint strategies to promote safety in schools and the community and to provide services for alleged targets and perpetrators of bullying. Recognizing that bullying and harassing behavior can also be hate-motivated behavior, the Superintendent's designee shall develop effective prevention strategies and response plans, providing assistance to students affected by hate-motivated behavior, and/or educating students who have perpetrated hate-motivated acts as set forth in BP 5145.9.

Cyberbullying/Cyber Harassment

Cyberbullying includes the creation or transmission of harassing communications, direct threats, or other harmful texts, sounds, or images, which may be shared, sent or posted publicly. Like any bullying or harassing conduct, cyberbullying may be based on protected class. Cyberbullying may include, but is not limited to, personal or private information that causes humiliation, false or negative information to discredit or disparage, or threats of physical harm. Cyberbullying may also include breaking into another person's electronic account and/or assuming that person's online identity in order to damage that person's reputation. When the circumstances involve cyberbullying, individuals with information about the activity shall be encouraged to save and print any electronic or digital messages that they feel constitute cyberbullying and to notify a teacher, the principal, or other employee so that the matter may be investigated. When a student uses a social networking site or service to bully or harass another student, the Superintendent or designee may file a request with the networking site or service to suspend the privileges of the student and to have material removed. School site staff who learn of Cyberbullying must immediately report to an administrator.

If the administrators learn of off-campus Cyberbullying that disrupts the educational environment, they must seek to intervene as soon as possible in order to prevent the Cyberbullying from continuing. If the Cyberbullying is found to have been done outside of school hours, but is impacting a student's safe learning environment, the school can discipline the student who engaged in the Cyberbullying.

Bullying Prevention

To the extent possible, District schools shall focus on the prevention of bullying by establishing clear rules for student conduct and implementing strategies to promote a positive, collaborative school climate. Students shall be informed, through student handbooks, curriculum, and other appropriate means, of District and school rules related to bullying, mechanisms available for reporting incidents or threats, and the consequences for engaging in bullying. Such instruction shall also educate students about the negative impact of bullying, discrimination, intimidation, and harassment based on actual or perceived immigration status, religious beliefs and customs, or any other individual bias or prejudice. As appropriate, the District shall provide students with instruction, in the classroom or other educational settings, that promotes social-emotional learning,  effective communication and conflict resolution skills, social skills, character/values education, respect for cultural and individual differences, self-esteem development, assertiveness skills, digital and media literacy skills, and appropriate online behavior. The District shall notify parents and guardians, through student and family handbooks, of their children’s right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status, religious beliefs, or other protected class status. This information shall include the “Know Your Rights” immigration enforcement information established by the Attorney General.  The district shall also educate students about the negative impact of bullying, discrimination, intimidation, and harassment based on actual or perceived immigration status, religious beliefs and customs, or any other individual bias or prejudice. Students should be taught the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, how to advocate for themselves, how to help another student who is being bullied, and when to seek assistance from a trusted adult. As role models for students, staff are responsible for teaching and modeling respectful behavior and building safe and supportive learning environments, and are expected to demonstrate effective problem-solving and anger management skills.

To discourage cyberbullying, teachers may advise students to be cautious about sharing passwords, personal data, or private photos online and to consider the consequences of making negative comments about others online.

Staff shall receive related professional development, including information about early warning signs of harassing/intimidating behaviors and effective response. District families are encouraged to model respectful behavior, contribute to a safe and supportive learning environment, and monitor potential causes of bullying.

The Superintendent or designee shall annually make available to all certificated staff and to other employees who have regular interaction with students the California Department of Education (CDE) online training module on the dynamics of bullying and cyberbullying, including the identification of bullying and cyberbullying and the implementation of strategies to address bullying.  (Education Code 32283.5) 

The Superintendent or designee shall train teachers and other school staff/personnel to ensure that they are aware of their legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying, eliminate a hostile environment, and respond to any incidents of harassment based on the actual or perceived characteristics noted above. Such training shall be designed to provide staff with the skills to:

1. Discuss the diversity of the student body and school community, including their varying immigration and indigenous experiences
2. Discuss bullying prevention strategies with students, and teach students to recognize the behavior and characteristics of bullying perpetrators and targets
3. Identify the signs of bullying or harassing behavior
4. Take immediate corrective action when bullying is observed
5. Report incidents to the appropriate authorities, including law enforcement in instances of criminal behavior consistent with Board Policy 5145.11, Questioning and Apprehension by Law Enforcement and Board Resolution No. 206-23A3 "In Support of Black Lives in SFUSD and the Abolition of Armed Law Enforcement in Schools".
6. Work with families utilizing Restorative Practices to repair harm, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships

Based on an assessment of bullying incidents at school, the school site administrator may increase supervision and security in areas where bullying most often occurs, such as classrooms, playground, hallways, restrooms, and cafeterias.

Intervention

Students are encouraged to notify school staff when they are being bullied, harassed, or suspect that another student is being targeted. In addition, the Superintendent or designee shall develop means for students to report threats or incidents confidentiality and anonymously. School staff who witness an act of discrimination, intimidation, bullying or harassment shall immediately intervene to stop the incident when it is safe to do so. (Education Code 234.1) When appropriate based on the severity or pervasiveness of the bullying, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the parents/guardians of targets and perpetrators and may contact law enforcement. The Superintendent, principal, or principal's designee may refer a target , witness and/or bystander and/or ally, perpetrator, or other student affected by an act of bullying to a school counselor, school psychologist, social worker, child welfare attendance personnel, school nurse, or other school support service personnel for case management, counseling, and/or participation in a restorative justice program/conference as appropriate. (Education Code 48900.9)

Filing, Investigation and Resolution of Uniform Complaints Related to Bullying

The Board encourages the early, informal resolution of complaints whenever possible and appropriate. However, if any complaint of bullying or harassment is submitted to the District, it shall be investigated and resolved in accordance with law, the procedure outlined in AR 5131.2 and the District's uniform complaint procedures specified in AR 1312.3. The District shall ensure that these complaint procedures include confidentiality safeguards for immigration status information consistent with BP 5125. If during the investigation, it is determined that a complaint is about nondiscriminatory bullying or harassment, the principal or designee shall inform the complainant and shall take all necessary actions to resolve the complaint.

Discipline

Corrective actions for a student who commits an act of bullying or harassment of any type may include counseling, behavioral intervention and education, and, if the behavior is severe or pervasive as defined in Education Code 48900, may include suspension or expulsion in accordance with District policies and regulations.

When appropriate based on the severity or pervasiveness of the bullying, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the guardians of victims and perpetrators and may contact law enforcement.

Any employee who permits or engages in bullying or retaliation related to bullying, or harassment or retaliation shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Intradistrict Safety Transfer

If the Superintendent or designee believes it is in the best interest of a student who is found to have been the victim of an act of bullying or harassment, as defined in Education Code sections 48900(r), 48900.2, 48900.3, or 48900.4, the Superintendent or designee shall advise the student's guardians that the student may request a voluntary transfer to another school.  If the guardians of a student who has been the victim of an act of bullying requests a transfer for the student pursuant to Education Code 46600, the Superintendent or designee shall allow the transfer in accordance with law and district policy on intradistrict or interdistrict transfer, as applicable. 

For the conduct to meet the definition of bullying or harassment to qualify for a safety transfer , it must result in a finding of a "severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of any electronic act, include one or more acts committed by a student or group of students as defined by Education Code section 48900(r), 48900.2, 48900.3, or 48900.4, and be directed toward one or more students in such a way that caused or could cause a reasonable student to experience one or more of the following:

1. Fear of harm to themselves or property,
2. Substantial detrimental effect on the student's physical or mental health,
3. Substantial interference with the student's academic performance,
4. Substantial interference with the student's ability to fully participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school. 

If the guardians of a student who has been found to be victim of an act of bullying or harassment submits a safety transfer request for the student pursuant to Education Code 46600, the Superintendent or designee shall allow the transfer in accordance with law and District policy on intradistrict transfers. (Board Policy 5116.1) Intradistrict transfer requests submitted by a student found to be a victim of an act of bullying shall be permitted according to the District policy on interdistrict transfers. (Board Policy 5117).

Prohibited Retaliation

The District also prohibits any form of harassment, threats, intimidation, or retaliation against any individual who reports or participates in the reporting or investigating of bullying or harassment. Retaliation is an act of discrimination, coercion, intimidation or threat against a person for the purpose of interfering with the exercise of a protected right, such as making a complaint, testifying, assisting, or participating in an investigation in any matter. Retaliation complaints shall be investigated and resolved in the same manner as a bullying or discrimination complaint.

Data Collection and Reporting

Principals are responsible for ensuring the documentation of all bullying and harassment complaints (including all informal/verbal and formal/written complaints).

Administrative Regulation 5131.2

Bullying and Harassment

This Administrative Regulation applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.

The Governing Board is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment that protects students from discrimination, harassment, and bullying. This regulation is meant to advise school site staff and administration on the handling of school site complaints regarding bullying and student conflict.

Definitions

1. Protected Class: Unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying targeted at any student by anyone, based on the student's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status, or genetic information or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
2. Bullying (Education Code 48900(r)): Bullying is an aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power between individuals with the intent to cause emotional or physical harm. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social/relational and may involve a single severe act or repetition or potential repetition of a deliberate act. For the conduct to meet the definition of bullying for the purpose of this offense, it must be “any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of any electronic act, and including one or more acts committed by a student or group of students, inclusive of acts described in Education Code sections 48900.2, 48900.3, or 48900.4, directed toward one or more students that has or can cause a reasonable student to experience one or more of the following:
   1. Fear of harm to themselves or property,
   2. Substantial detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health,
   3. Substantial interference with the student’s academic performance,
   4. Substantial interference with the student’s ability to fully participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
3. Hazing (Education Code 48900(q)): A method of initiation or pre-initiation into an organization or group which is likely to cause serious bodily injury, personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to a student.
4. Cyber Bullying: Includes, but is not limited to, transmission of communications or posting of harassing messages, direct threats, or other harmful texts, sounds, or images on the Internet, social networking sites, or other digital technologies using a cell phone or, computer, or any wireless communication device. Cyberbullying also includes breaking into another person’s electronic account and assuming that person’s identity in order to damage that person’s reputation.  Cyber sexual harassment/bullying includes sharing of naked body parts or sexually suggestive pictures of another student through text message, social media, or other electronic means, which then creates a hostile school environment.  This would be deemed cyber sexual bullying/harassment.
5. Student Conflicts: Not all incidents and student conflict amount to “bullying” or harassment". Incidents that do not amount to bullying or harassment include, but are not limited to: disagreements or conflict between students, incidental injuries, a single incident, mutual combat between students, and if a particular student comes into contact/injures/upsets another student without that other student being the intended target.
6. Harassment: Unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Prohibited harassment also includes intentionally engaging in harassment, threats, or intimidation, directed against school district personnel or students, that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to have the actual and reasonably expected effect of materially disrupting classwork, creating substantial disorder, and invading the rights of either school personnel or student by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment.
7. Reporting Party: A student who reports that they or another student are the victim or target of conduct that would constitute bullying or harassment.
8. Targeted Party: A student who has been the victim or target of conduct that would constitute bullying or harassment. Can be, but is not always, the reporting party.
9. Responding Party: A student who has been reported to have performed conduct that could constitute bullying or harassment

Examples of Bullying

The following are example that alone or in combination, would meet the definition of Bullying if they are found to be “severe” or “pervasive”:

1. Physical bullying: An act that inflicts harm upon a person's body or possessions, such as hitting, kicking, pinching, spitting, tripping, pushing, taking or breaking someone's possessions.
2. Verbal bullying: An act that includes saying or writing hurtful things, such as teasing, name-calling, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting, or threats to cause harm
3. Social or relationship bullying: An act that harms a person's reputation or relationships, such as leaving a person out of an activity on purpose, influencing others not to be friends with someone, spreading rumors, or embarrassing someone in public.
4. Cyberbullying: An act that occurs on electronic devices such as computers, tablets, or cell phones, such as sending demeaning or hateful text messages, direct messages or public posts on social media apps, gaming forums, or emails, spreading rumors by email or by posting on social networking sites, shaming or humiliating by allowing others to view, participate in, or share disparaging or harmful content, or posting or sharing embarrassing photos, videos, website, or fake profiles.
5. Cyber sexual bullying/harassment: A specific type cyberbullying which includes the unwanted sharing of images or content of another student that is sexual in nature to others through text message, social media, or other electronic means.
6. Hazing: Acts forced upon students by other students upon initiation to join a student club or team which are physically dangerous or humiliating, including but not limited to, requiring a student to eat or drink disgusting food/material, endure physical abuse, or perform humiliating conduct.

Reporting and Filing School Site Bullying and Harassment Complaints

Any student, guardian, or other individual who believes that a student has been subjected to bullying or harassment or who has witnessed bullying or harassment should report the incident to a teacher, the principal, a compliance officer, or any other school employee. Within one business day of receiving such a report, a staff member shall notify the principal of the report, whether or not a uniform complaint is filed. In addition, any school employee who observes an incident of bullying or harassment involving a student shall, within one business day, report their observation to the principal, whether or not the alleged target files a complaint. The student who is the alleged target of the bullying shall be given an opportunity to describe the incident, identify witnesses who may have relevant information, and provide other evidence of bullying.

Within two business days of receiving a report of bullying and harassment on the basis of belonging to or being perceived as belonging to a protected class as described in AR 5131.2, the principal shall notify the District compliance officer identified in AR 1312.3, Uniform Complaint Procedures. 

In addition, when a report of bullying or harassment is submitted, the principal or a District compliance officer shall inform the student or guardian of the right to file a formal written complaint in accordance with AR 1312.3.

When the circumstances involve cyberbullying, individuals with information about the activity shall be encouraged to save and print any electronic or digital messages that they feel constitute cyberbullying and to notify a teacher, the principal, or other employee so that the matter may be investigated. When a student uses a social networking site or service to bully or harass another student, the Superintendent or designee may file a request with the networking site or service to suspend the privileges of the students and to have the material removed. 

School Site Bullying and Harassment Investigations

Safe campuses require a multi-faceted approach with clear and consistent behavior expectations as well as strategies to prevent, respond to, and recover from incidents of bullying, hazing and harassment. The school principal participates in and directs all school staff to create an environment where the school community upholds the standards of respect and civility and understands that bullying and hazing are inappropriate, harmful and unacceptable. Towards this goal, schools shall:

1. Set school-wide expectations that align with the District’s Safe and Supportive Schools Resolution that promote safe, respectful, and bully-free school environment. These expectations shall be shared with all students, families, and staff.
2. Each school site should have a mechanism for investigating reported complaints of bullying and harassment. The school’s reporting and investigation process must be communicated to all students, families, and staff.School site administrators should make best efforts to complete their investigations within two (2) weeks This timeline can be extended for good cause so long as any investigation delays are communicated to the families of the involved students.
3. When an incident of bullying or harassment is reported to, or witnessed by, a school site staff, that staff must inform an administrator. That administrator will identify the appropriate trained staff member to investigate and follow up. A staff member who receives a report of bullying, harassment, and/or intimidation, shall, within one school day or as soon as possible thereafter, report this to the site principal/administrator or designee. School site staff must be informed of this requirement.
4. After a report or complaint is made, the responsible site principal/administrator or designee shall determine whether supportive measures are necessary to stop, prevent or address the effects of bullying, harassment, and/or intimidation, including retaliation, harassment or bullying during and pending any informal resolution and/or investigation, such as placing students in separate classes or transferring a student to a class taught by a different teacher. Supportive measures will be implemented in a manner that minimizes the burden on the individual who was the target of bullying and/or intimidation.
5. The administrator must determine who the appropriately trained staff member is to investigate. That investigator must speak to the reporting student and gather a statement. If possible, the statement should be in writing and signed by the reporting student. Once the administrator speaks to the student and learns of an incident of alleged bullying, they should notify the student’s parent of the report and that the administrator is investigating.
6. The investigator should be sure to follow up on all information learned during the investigation. This includes speaking to witnesses and reviewing documentation.
7. The investigator should always be sure to interview the accused student and get a statement. If possible, the statement should be in writing. Once the administrator speaks to the accused student and gathers information, they should notify the student’s parent/guardian of the report and that the administrator is investigating.
8. Once the investigation is concluded, ideally within two (2) weeks, the administrator should determine if the conflict can be resolved through restorative practices (RP). If RP is appropriate, the administrator should ensure that the person conducting the conference is trained in RP, that all parties consent, and that it is done through the appropriate methods.

Hate crimes (vandalism, physical assault, arson, etc.) are crimes which are motivated, in whole or in part, by bias, by the targeted individual or group’s characteristics or perceived characteristics of disability, gender, gender identity or expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or association with a person or group who has one of these characteristics.  “Hate crimes” should be reported to law enforcement.

If the investigation concludes that the bullying incident is a unique and special circumstance that is not common to other students and involves a continuing and credible threat to the physical or psychological or emotional stability of the student identified as the victim, the school site should review whether suspension or expulsion is appropriate and also consider whether additional supportive measures are necessary.  If a student is found to be the victim of bullying and the family requests information about the safety transfer process, the administrator shall provide that information to the student and family, as required by CA Education Code and District Policy.

Supportive Measures

Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered to the reporting or responding party of a bullying or harassment investigation. Supportive measures may include, for example, wellness check-ins, extensions of deadlines or other course related adjustments, or placing the individuals involved in separate classes or transferring a student to a class taught by a different teacher, in accordance with law and Board policy. Upon receiving a report of bullying or harassment, the school site administrator, or designee, should promptly contact the students and families to discuss the availability of supportive measures.

The Superintendent, principal, or designee may refer a victim, witness, perpetrator, or other student affected by an act of bullying to a school counselor, school psychologist, social worker, child welfare attendance personnel, school nurse, or other school support service personnel for case management, counseling, and/or participation in a restorative justice program as appropriate.  (Education Code 48900.9)

If any student involved in bullying exhibits warning signs of suicidal thought or intention or of intent to harm another person, the Superintendent or designee shall, as appropriate, implement district intervention protocols which may include, but are not limited to, referral to district or community mental health services, other health professionals, and/or law enforcement, in accordance with Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5141.52 - Suicide Prevention. 

Filing, Investigation and Resolution of Uniform Complaints Related to Bullying

School site staff should notify families of their right to file a Uniform Complaint if they are unsatisfied with the school site’s resolution of a bullying complaint. If a Uniform Complaint form alleging bullying or harassment on the basis of belonging to a protected class is submitted to the school site, it shall be forwarded to the Office of Equity for proper handling.  The compliance officer shall contact the complainant and investigate and resolve the complaint in accordance with law and district procedures specified in AR 1312.3. 

Confidentiality

When applicable, the District shall ensure immigration status information is safeguarded. All complaints and allegations of sexual harassment shall be kept confidential except as necessary to carry out the investigation or take other subsequent necessary action. (5 CCR 4964)

However, when a student notifies the District of the harassment but requests confidentiality, the administrator shall inform them that the request may limit the District's ability to investigate the harassment or take other necessary action. When honoring a request for confidentiality, the District will nevertheless take all reasonable steps to investigate and respond to the complaint consistent with the request. In certain circumstances, the District may not be able to honor the request of confidentiality in order to meet its legal requirements.

Student Conflict

All school sites promote positive and supportive peer relationships in alignment with the district’s Safe and Supportive Schools policy by utilizing:

• Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) to build safe, consistent, and predictable classrooms and schools;
• Restorative Practices to intentionally and proactively build positive community relationships among students, staff, and families;
• Trauma-informed practices to heal and support students impacted by trauma;
• Data systems to record, monitor, assess, and inform continuous improvement in these areas. 

Parent/Guardian Notification/Involvement & Restorative Practices

Once an incident of bullying or harassment is reported by the student, school site staff should notify the student’s parent/guardian of the report and that the administrator is investigating. Parent/guardian notification does not need to occur prior to speaking to the student(s).

In addition, parents, guardians, advocates or other third parties may submit lawfully obtained evidence on behalf of their child, but may not otherwise participate in the investigative process  or be present during the meeting of a child that is not their own, even if staff are present.

If RP is appropriate, the administrator should ensure that the person conducting the conference is trained in RP, that all parties consent, and that it is done through the appropriate methods. If a RP conference is not appropriate, administrators should seek to restore the relationship through other means. RP is not appropriate in cases of alleged sexual assault/battery and should be carefully considered before doing in cases of verbal, physical, or cyber sexual harassment.

When the accused student has received consequences for an incident of racist bullying, harassment, or intimidation, the principal or designee should offer the accused student a culturally sensitive restorative justice program that promotes racial justice and equity and combats racism and ignorance. Where the targeted student agrees to participate in the restorative program, the principal or designee must regularly check on the targeted student to ensure the targeted student is not in danger of suffering from any long-lasting mental health issues. 

Bullying of Protected Class

Every student has the right to be protected from bullying based on a protected class or by the rationale of being "hate-motivated"behavior.  Bullying of a protected class include behavior done to degrade an individual on the basis of the student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Bullying based on a protected class will be investigated and resolved pursuant to this policy, in addition to Administrative Regulation 5145.9 (“Hate- Motivated Behavior”).

Interventions and School-Based Supports

Administrators should refer to the district’s Primary Matrix, as found in the Student and Family Handbook, for interventions, social emotional supports, behavioral RTI and restorative practices. Interventions in the matrix must be considered and exhausted prior to suspension, unless the incident is so severe or the safety of a particular student or the school environment is at risk. If suspension is considered, the administrator must consult with the Assistant Superintendent who supervises that school site.

Documentation

Documentation of interventions are important for bullying incidents in order to support positive behavior, continuous support for the student(s) throughout their school career, and safe school environments.  Appropriate documentation will support requests for additional support and services and, when appropriate, referral for suspension or expulsion and school transfer requests.

Information and Resources

The Superintendent or designee shall post on the District's website, in a prominent location and in a manner that is easily accessible to students and guardians, information on bullying and harassment prevention which includes the following: (Education Code 234.6)

1. The District's policy on student suicide prevention, including a reference to the policy's age appropriateness for students in grades K-6.
2. The definition of sex discrimination and harassment as described in Education Code 230, including the rights set forth in Education Code 221.8. 
3. Title IX information included on the District's website pursuant to Education Code 221.61, and a link to the Title IX information included on CDE's web site pursuant to Education Code 221.6.
4. District policies on student sexual harassment, prevention and response to hate violence, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and cyberbullying.
5. A section on social media bullying that included all of the references described in Education Code 234.6 as possible forums for social media.
6. A link to statewide resources, including community-based organizations, compiled by CDE pursuant to Education Code 234.5.
7. Any additional information the Superintendent or designee deems important for preventing bullying and harassment.