Student Safety, Equity, and Nondiscrimination

The Edison Elementary School District prohibits bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment of any student. This includes conduct that occurs on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities, on school buses, and online or through electronic devices when the conduct creates a hostile school environment or substantially disrupts the educational process.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is repeated aggressive behavior that is intended to cause harm — physical or emotional — and involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can take many forms:

• Physical bullying: Hitting, kicking, pushing, or destroying another person's property.
• Verbal or written bullying: Name-calling, threatening, teasing, taunting, or sending harmful written messages.
• Social or emotional bullying: Spreading rumors, excluding someone intentionally, humiliating, intimidating, or blackmailing.
• Cyberbullying: Using technology — including cell phones, computers, tablets, social media platforms, text messages, apps, and websites — to bully, threaten, harass, or humiliate another person.

Cyberbullying and Social Media

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place through digital devices and online platforms. It can happen at any time — including outside of school hours — and can include:

• Sending threatening, hurtful, or embarrassing messages, photos, or videos through text, email, or direct messages
• Posting harmful, false, or private information about someone on social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, or others
• Creating fake accounts or impersonating someone online to cause harm
• Excluding someone intentionally from online groups or activities
• Sharing someone's private images or information without their consent
• Making threats or encouraging others to harass a specific individual online

Even when cyberbullying takes place off campus and outside of school hours, the Edison Elementary School District may take action when the conduct has a nexus to school or substantially disrupts the school environment. The District encourages students and parents to save and print any electronic messages or posts that may constitute cyberbullying and to report them to school staff immediately.

Social Media Guidelines for Students

• Think before you post. Once something is posted online, it can be difficult or impossible to remove.
• Do not post images, videos, or information about others without their permission.
• Treat others online the same way you would treat them in person.
• Do not share your passwords or personal information online.
• If you see cyberbullying happening, do not join in. Report it to a trusted adult or school staff member.
• Block and report users who are harassing you on social media platforms.

Anti-Bullying Policy

The following California statewide resources are available to students, parents, and families who need support related to bullying, harassment, discrimination, or mental health.

Bullying and Harassment Resources

• California Department of Education – Bullying Prevention
  Information and resources on bullying prevention policies in California schools.
  www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/se/bullyingprev.asp
• California Safe Schools Coalition
  Resources to support safe and inclusive schools for all students.
  www.casafeschools.org
• StopBullying.gov
  Federal resource with information on recognizing, preventing, and responding to bullying and cyberbullying.
  www.stopbullying.gov
• California Attorney General – Cyberbullying Resources
  Information on cyberbullying and California law.
  https://oag.ca.gov/cybersafety/children/cyberbullying

Discrimination and Civil Rights Resources

• California Department of Education – Office of Equal Opportunity
  Information on Title IX, gender equity, and student rights in California schools.
  www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/genequitytitleix.asp
• U.S. Department of Education – Office for Civil Rights
  Information on filing a civil rights complaint or understanding your rights under federal law.
  https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ocr
• California Civil Rights Department
  State agency responsible for enforcing California's civil rights laws.
  calcivilrights.ca.gov

Mental Health and Crisis Resources

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
  Call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Free and confidential.
• Crisis Text Line
  Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Free and available 24/7.
• California Department of Health Care Services – Mental Health
  DHCS Mental Health Services
• Kern County Mental Health
  Local mental health services for Kern County residents.
  Phone: (800) 991-5272
  https://www.kernbhrs.org/

The Edison Elementary School District is committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. The District will not tolerate hate-motivated behavior or violence of any kind directed at students, staff, or members of the school community based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or immigration status.

What is Hate-Motivated Behavior?

Hate-motivated behavior includes any act — verbal, written, physical, or symbolic — that is directed at a person or group because of a characteristic protected under state or federal law. Examples include:

• Using slurs, derogatory language, or hate symbols targeting a person's race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other protected characteristic
• Threats of violence or intimidation motivated by bias or hatred
• Vandalism, graffiti, or destruction of property that includes hate symbols or slurs
• Physical assaults or threats motivated by a person's actual or perceived protected characteristics
• Online harassment, posts, or messages targeting someone because of a protected characteristic

District Response

When the Edison Elementary School District receives a report of hate-motivated behavior or violence, it will:

• Investigate promptly and take appropriate corrective action
• Provide support services to affected students and staff
• Take disciplinary action in accordance with the District's Student Code of Conduct and applicable law
• Report to law enforcement when required by law or when the conduct involves a criminal threat or act
• Take steps to restore a safe and supportive school environment

Hate-Motivated Behavior Policy

See Board Policy 5145.9 for the Edison Elementary School District's complete policy on hate-motivated behavior:

BP 5145.9 – Hate-Motivated Behavior

Reporting Hate-Motivated Behavior

Students, parents, and community members who experience or witness hate-motivated behavior should report it immediately to a school staff member, the site principal, or the District's Title IX Coordinator.

Reports may also be made to:

• Local law enforcement when the behavior constitutes a criminal act or threat
• California Department of Justice – Hate Crime Hotline: (800) 952-5225
• U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights: ocrcas.ed.gov