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HARASSMENT (DISTRICT) POLICY

It is the policy of the Palo Alto Unified School District to provide a school environment free from all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment, and to maintain an environment in which all students and adults model this behavior and are treated with dignity and respect. Therefore, no student shall be subjected to sexual overtures or conduct, either verbal, visual, or physical, which is intimidating, hostile, offensive, or unwelcome. Such conduct by adults or students is deemed as unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated by the school district.

For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment is defined for student-to-student interaction as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, visual and physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Sexual harassment is defined for adult-to-student interaction as any sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment is also defined as conduct of a sexual nature which affects an individual’s employment, academic status or progress; which has a negative impact on an individual’s work or academic performance; which creates a work or educational environment that is intimidating, hostile or offensive; or which affects benefits, services, honors, programs or activities available to an individual in the educational setting.
Government Code, Section 12940(I) Education Code, Section 200, 212.5, 220 and 230
AB 537: The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000

Actions that may impair a student’s ability to function or the emotional well being of a student at school are unacceptable. Harassment or discrimination may include acts such as the following:

  • Use of swearing, putdowns, or unwanted sexual advances, invitations or comments
  • Telling of “dirty” jokes
  • Leaving harassing messages on email, text messages, passing notes of a sexual nature, or illegal use of chat room.
  • Slurs of any kind (racial, ethnic, religious, sexual, gender-based, physical, etc.)
  • Threats and demands to submit to sexual requests for any purpose
  • Threatening or doing harm to someone who refuses to cooperate or reports on you (bullying)
  • Any intimidating comments and/or physical gestures or interactions
  • Gestures that are in poor taste or indicate gang affiliation
  • Touching, grabbing, fondling, pantsing, etc.
  • Possession or display of derogatory posters, photographs, cartoons, or drawings; communicating such in writing, by verbalizing, by computer, etc.

Possible Action to be Taken:
Possible consequences for harassment of any kind may include one or more of the following: parent conferences, suspension, expulsion and/or referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Complaint Procedures:
A student, who believes s/he is being harassed or discriminated against at school or at school activities because of her/his sex, race, ethnicity, or religion, should immediately bring it to the attention of any school staff member. District complaint procedures will be followed to resolve the issue.

 

updated 8-15-2007 by Leslie Goldman