Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying and Non-Discrimination

Equitable Conduct of Students

The Issaquah School District values equity, diversity and inclusion. We believe that building and sustaining a school community where our students feel welcomed, respected and safe, regardless of race, ability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, language, political view, or social economic standing is an essential foundation to a student’s overall well-being and academic success. Our district and community are made up of people of varying races, ethnic backgrounds, abilities/disabilities, religions, ages, languages, socioeconomic status, immigration status, sexual orientation, and gender expressions or identities. The Issaquah School District stands against all forms of hate speech, intolerance, bullying, and harassment.

For students to meet our expectations, we provide age-appropriate lessons on the topics, student expectations, and reporting mechanisms listed below.

Student expectations include:

• Use respectful language in person and on social media that is devoid of hate speech, bias, and micro/macroaggressions.
• Respect each individual, even if that person’s identity is different from your own.
• Seek to understand your impact on others while seeking to understand others’ intent.
• Take responsibility for your words, actions and impact.
• We all have a responsibility to report behavior that interferes with having an equitable and inclusive learning environment that honors and respects people of all identities. If you become aware of any actions that violate the expectations above, we expect that you speak up or report through one or more of the following ways:
• Tell a teacher, staff member or other trusted adult immediately.
• If you are comfortable and safe doing so, speak up in the moment to encourage more equitable and inclusive talk or action, and/or support those being hurt.
• Report it anonymously via Issaquah Tip (Be sure to include details such as names of people, time, location and building): Safety Concerns - Report a Tip

Microaggressions an indirect, subtle, or unintentional statement, action, or incident against a person or group based on ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or similar grounds	Targeted Hate Speech abusive, harmful, or threatening speech or writing that expresses prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or similar grounds	Reclaiming Language when a group reclaims words or artifacts that were previously used in a way disparaging of that group
1st offense = **Education + Restoration (when appropriate) Subsequent offense(s) = *Discipline + **Education	1st offense = *Discipline + **Education Subsequent offense(s) = *Discipline + **Education	Any offense = **Education
When considering discipline, the District strives to keep students in their classroom whenever possible; provide for early involvement of parent/guardian/caretakers to support students in meeting behavioral expectations; make reasonable attempt to involve parent/guardian/caretakers and students in the resolution of behavioral violations for which discipline may be administered; and identify forms of discipline that should be administered before or instead of administering classroom exclusion, suspension,  expulsion or emergency removal to support students in meeting behavioral expectations. Disciplinary actions must be non-discriminatory, fair, age-appropriate and correspond to the severity of the student’s misbehavior. Types of discipline= Reteaching, Detention, Conference with Admin and/or Parent/guardian/caretakers, In School Suspension, Out of School Suspension, Expulsion or Emergency Removal For more information regarding student discipline see Regulation and Procedure 3241 and 3241P *Students who receive special education services for behavioral needs may receive differentiated supports and/or discipline
**Education = Review of the handbook, crafted lessons based on behavior, social-emotional lessons, intent vs impact, use of language based on setting, etc.

Our Schools Protect Students from Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)

Schools are meant to be safe and inclusive environments 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 defines HIB, explains what to do when you see or experience it, and our school’s process for responding to it.

What is HIB?

HIB is any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act of a student that:

• Physically harms another student or damages their property;
• Has the effect of greatly interfering with another student’s education; or,
• Is so severe, persistent, or significant that it creates an intimidating or threatening education environment for other students.

HIB generally involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. HIB is not allowed, by law, in our schools.

How can I make a report or complaint about HIB?

Talk to any school staff member (consider starting with whoever you are most comfortable with!). You may use our district’s reporting form to share concerns about HIB but reports about HIB can be made in writing or verbally. Your report can made anonymously, if you are uncomfortable revealing your identity, or confidentially if you prefer it not be shared with other students involved with the report. No disciplinary action will be taken against another student based solely on an anonymous or confidential report.

If a staff member is notified of, observes, overhears, or otherwise witnesses HIB, they must take prompt and appropriate action to stop the HIB behavior and to prevent it from happening again. Our district also has a HIB Compliance Officer (Stacy Cho, Assistant Director of Student Intervention – Compliance, 425-837-7109 ChoS@issaquah.wednet.edu) that supports prevention and response to HIB.

What happens after I make a report about HIB?

If you report HIB, school staff must attempt to resolve the concerns. If the concerns are resolved, then no further action may be necessary. However, if you feel that you or someone you know is the victim of unresolved, severe, or persistent HIB that requires further investigation and action, then you should request an official HIB investigation.

Also, the school must take actions to ensure that those who report HIB don’t experience retaliation.

What is the investigation process?

When you report a complaint, the HIB Compliance Officer or staff member leading the investigation must notify the families of the students involved with the complaint and must make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The investigation must be completed within 5 school days, unless you agree on a different timeline. If your complaint involves circumstances that require a longer investigation, the district will notify you with the anticipated date for their response.

When the investigation is complete, the HIB Compliance Officer or the staff member leading the investigation must provide you with the outcomes of the investigation within 2 school days. This response should include:

• A summary of the results of the investigation
• A determination of whether the HIB is substantiated
• Any corrective measures or remedies needed
• Clear information about how you can appeal the decision

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

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

If you do not agree with the school district’s decision, you may appeal the decision and include any additional information regarding the complaint to the superintendent, or the person assigned to lead the appeal, and then to the school board.

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

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

For more information about the HIB complaint process, including important timelines, please see the district’s HIB webpage or the district’s HIB Policy [3207] and Procedure [3207P].
 

Our School Stands Against Discrimination

Discrimination can happen when someone is treated differently or unfairly because they are part of a protected class, including their race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, creed, disability, use of a service animal, or veteran or military status.

What is discriminatory harassment?

Discriminatory harassment can include teasing and name-calling; graphic and written statements; or other conduct that may be physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating. Discriminatory harassment happens when the conduct is based on a student’s protected class and is serious enough to create a hostile environment. A hostile environment is created when conduct is so severe, pervasive, or persistent that it limits a student’s ability to participate in, or benefit from, the school’s services, activities, or opportunities.

Review the district’s Nondiscrimination Policy [3210] and Procedure [3210P].

 

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct or communication that is sexual in nature and substantially interferes with a student's educational performance or creates an intimidating or hostile environment. Sexual harassment can also occur when a student is led to believe they must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communication to gain something in return, such as a grade or a place on a sports team.

Examples of sexual harassment can include pressuring a person for sexual actions or favors; unwelcome touching of a sexual nature; graphic or written statements of a sexual nature; distributing sexually explicit texts, e-mails, or pictures; making sexual jokes, rumors, or suggestive remarks; and physical violence, including rape and sexual assault.

Review the district’s Sexual Harassment Policy [3205] and Procedure [3205P].

What should my school do about discriminatory and sexual harassment?

When a school becomes aware of possible discriminatory or sexual harassment, it must investigate and stop the harassment. The school must address any effects the harassment had on the student at school, including eliminating the hostile environment, and make sure that the harassment does not happen again.

What can I do if I’m concerned about discrimination or harassment?

Talk to a Coordinator or submit a written complaint. You may contact the following school district staff members to report your concerns, ask questions, or learn more about how to resolve your concerns.

Concerns about discrimination:

Civil Rights Coordinator:
Stacy Cho, Assistant Director of Compliance
5150 220th Ave. SE
Issaquah, WA 98029
425-837-7109
ChoS@issaquah.wednet.edu

Concerns about sex discrimination, including sexual harassment:

Title IX Coordinator:
Stacy Cho, Assistant Director of Compliance
5150 220th Ave. SE
Issaquah, WA 98029
425-837-7109
ChoS@issaquah.wednet.edu

Title IX Coordinator for Athletics/Activities:

Jordan Frost, District Athletic and Activities Director
5150 220th Ave. SE
Issaquah, WA 98029
425-837-7035
FrostJ@issaquah.wednet.edu

Concerns about disability discrimination:

Section 504 Coordinator:
Noah Westerberg, Director of Counseling
5150 220th Ave. SE
Issaquah, WA 98029
425-837-7161
WesterbergN@issaquah.wednet.edu

Concerns about discrimination based on gender identity:

Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator:
Stacy Cho, Assistant Director of Compliance
5150 220th Ave. SE
Issaquah, WA 98029
425-837-7109
ChoS@issaquah.wednet.edu

 

To submit a written complaint, describe the conduct or incident that may be discriminatory and send it by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery to the school principal, district superintendent, or civil rights coordinator. Submit the complaint as soon as possible for a prompt investigation, and within one year of the conduct or incident.

What happens after I file a discrimination complaint?

The Civil Rights Coordinator will give you a copy of the school district’s discrimination complaint procedure. The Civil Rights Coordinator must make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The investigation must be completed within 30 calendar days unless you agree to a different timeline. If your complaint involves exceptional circumstances that require a longer investigation, the Civil Rights Coordinator will notify you in writing with the anticipated date for their response.

When the investigation is complete, the school district superintendent or the staff member leading the investigation will send you a written response. This response will include:

• A summary of the results of the investigation
• A determination of whether the school district failed to comply with civil rights laws
• Any corrective measures or remedies needed
• Notice about how you can appeal the decision

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

If you do not agree with the outcome of your complaint, you may appeal the decision to the district’s Board of Directors and then to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). More information about this process, including important timelines, is included in the district’s Nondiscrimination Procedure [3210P] and Sexual Harassment Procedure [3205P].

I already submitted an HIB complaint – what will my school do?

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) can also be discrimination if it's related to a protected class. If you give your school a written report of HIB that involves discrimination or sexual harassment, your school will notify the Civil Rights Coordinator. The school district will investigate the complaint using both the Nondiscrimination Procedure [3210P] and the HIB Procedure [3207P] to fully resolve your complaint.

Who else can help with HIB or Discrimination Concerns?

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

All reports must start locally at the school or district level. However, OSPI can assist students, families, communities, and school staff with questions about state law, the HIB complaint process, and the discrimination and sexual harassment complaint processes.

OSPI School Safety Center (For questions about harassment, intimidation, and bullying)

• Website: ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/health-safety/school-safety-center
• Email: schoolsafety@k12.wa.us
• Phone: 360-725-6068

OSPI Equity and Civil Rights Office (For questions about discrimination and sexual harassment)

• Website: ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/equity-and-civil-rights
• Email: equity@k12.wa.us
• Phone: 360-725-6162

Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)

The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds works with families, communities, and schools to address problems together so every student can fully participate and thrive in Washington’s K-12 public schools. OEO provides informal conflict resolution tools, coaching, facilitation, and training about family, community engagement, and systems advocacy.

• Website: www.oeo.wa.gov
• Email: oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov
• Phone: 1-866-297-2597

Our School is Gender-Inclusive

In Washington, all students have the right to be treated consistent with their gender identity at school. Our school will:

• Address students by their requested name and pronouns, with or without a legal name change
• Change a student’s gender designation and have their gender accurately reflected in school records
• Allow students to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity
• Allow students to participate in sports, physical education courses, field trips, and overnight trips in accordance with their gender identity
• Keep health and education information confidential and private
• Allow students to wear clothing that reflects their gender identity and apply dress codes without regard to a student’s gender or perceived gender
• Protect students from teasing, bullying, or harassment based on their gender or gender identity

Review the district’s Gender-Inclusive Schools Policy [3211] and Procedure [3211P]. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator:

Stacy Cho, Assistant Director of Compliance
5150 220th Ave. SE
Issaquah, WA 98029
425-837-7109
ChoS@issaquah.wednet.edu

For concerns about discrimination or discriminatory harassment based on gender identity or gender expression, please see the information on the above page.

Safe and Positive Environment

The Issaquah School District believes that a safe, civil environment is essential to high student and staff achievement, to the free exchange of ideas central to a quality educational process, and to the development of youth as thoughtful participants in our democracy. Conversely, uncivil conduct, like other forms of disruptive behavior, interferes with a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its students.

The Issaquah School District strives to maintain a learning environment where all students, staff and members of our community can be free from intimidation and harassment. One way we foster such an environment is by informing students and employees--as well as parent/guardian/caretakers--of their personal rights. We explain proper behavior in schools and what kinds of behavior are inappropriate. The District’s Regulations on harassment--sexual and otherwise--support our high expectations for proper behavior. Please take a moment to review the summary of Regulation 3205 and 3207, which protect students.

If an individual experiences harassment, an informal or a formal complaint process is available. If the complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, there is an appeal procedure. Please take a moment to review the District’s website for resources and options for reporting.