4} OLD W0 KD IN Franklin Academy Charter School PROHIBITION OF HARASSMENT, INTHVIIDATION AND BULLYING Franklin Academy is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteer and patrons, free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. At Franklin Academy, bullying or harassment of any child?for any reason-is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Every staff member, teacher, volunteer and student associated with this school is expected to treat their fellow colleagues, students, peers and classmates with respect and compassion-regardless of differences. Pursuant to GS section NSC-407.5 bullying or harassing behavior is de?ned as: any pattern of gestures or written, electronic or verbal communications, any physical act or threatening communication, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored event or on a school bus, and that: - Places a student or school employee in actual or reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property; or Creates or is certain to create a hostile environment by substantially interfering with or impairing a student?s educational performance, opportunities or bene?ts. For the purposes of this section, ?hostile environment? means that the Victim subjectively views the conduct as bullying or harassing behavior and the conduct is objectively severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would agree that it is bullying or harassing behavior. ?Bullying or harassing behavior includes, but is not limited to, acts reasonably perceived as being motivated by an actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, socioeconomic status, academic status, gender identity, physical appearance, sexual orientation or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics. Nothing in this policy requires the affected student to possess a characteristic that is a perceived basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying, or other distinguishing characteristic. Any school employee, student or volunteer who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subject to an act of bullying or harassing behavior should report the incident to the Principal or his designee. Promotion, af?rmation or discussion of behaviors associated with the terms, ?sexual orientation? or ?gender identity?, including homosexuality, bisexuality and transgenderism, are expressly prohibited. Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendo?s, demeaning comments, drawing cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral or physical actions. ?Intentional acts? refers to the individual?s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s). In recognition of state and federal laws protecting freedoms of speech and religion, including GS section NSC-407.8 this policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the education environment. Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may still be prohibited by other school policies or building, classroom, or program rules. Counseling, corrective discipline and referral to law enforcement will be used to change the behavior of the perpetrator and remediate the impact on the Victim. This includes appropriate intervention, restoration of a positive climate, and support for victims and others impacted by the violation. False reports or retaliation against any person for reporting harassment, intimidation or bullying also constitute violations of this policy. 40 0 NE iv Wow 1N0 Franklin Academy Charter School 0 PROHIBITION OF HARASSNIENT, INTINIIDATION AND BULLYING Franklin Academy is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteer and patrons, free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. At Franklin Academy, bullying or harassment of any child-for any reason-is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Every staff member, teacher, volunteer and student associated with this school is expected to treat their fellow colleagues, students, peers and classmates with respect and compassion-regardless ofdifferences. Pursuant to GS section 11504-075 bullying or harassing behavior is de?ned as: any pattern of gestures or written, electronic or verbal communications, any physical act or threatening communication, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored event or on a school bus, and that: - Places a student or school employee in actual or reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property; or - Creates or is certain to create a hostile environment by substantially interfering with or impairing a student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits. For the purposes of this section, 'hostile environment' means that the victim subjectively views the conduct as bullying or harassing behavior and the conduct is objectively severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would agree that it is bullying or harassing behavior. "Bullying or harassing behavior includes, but is not limited to, acts reasonably perceived as being motivated by an actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, socioeconomic status, academic status, gender identity, physical appearance, sexual orientation or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics.? Nothing in this policy requires the affected student to possess a characteristic that is a perceived basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying, or other distinguishing characteristic. Any school employee, student or volunteer who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subject to an act of bullying or harassing behavior should report the incident to the Principal or his designee. Harassment on the basis of affirmation or discussion of behaviors associated with the terms, "sexual orientation" or "gender identity?, including homosexuality, bisexuality and transgenderism, are expressly prohibited. Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendo?s, demeaning comments, drawing cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral or physical actions. "Intentional acts" refers to the individual?s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action[s]. In recognition of state and federal laws protecting freedoms ofspeech and religion, including GS section MSG-407.8 this policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the education environment. Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may still be prohibited by other school policies or building, classroom, or program rules. Counseling, corrective discipline and referral to law enforcement will be used to change the behavior of the perpetrator and remediate the impact on the victim. This includes appropriate intervention, restoration of a positive climate, and support for victims and others impacted by the violation. False reports or retaliation against any person for reporting harassment, intimidation or bullying also constitute violations ofthis policy. 54 Thales Academy? Nothing in this policy requires the affected student to possess a characteristic that is a perceived basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying, or other distinguishing characteristic. Any school employee, student or volunteer who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subject to an act of bullying or harassing behavior should report the incident to the Administrator. Promotion, affirmation, or discussion of behaviors associated with the terms ?sexual orientation? or ?gender identity,? including homosexuality, bisexuality and transgenderism, are expressly prohibited, except to the extent that a complaint or grievance involves bullying or harassing on account of a person?s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, in which case such complaint should be directed to the campus administrator. This applies to students, school employees and volunteers. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying can take many forms including: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, cartoon drawings, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral, or physical actions. ?Intentional acts? refers to the individual?s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s). In recognition of state and federal laws protecting freedoms of speech and religion, this policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the educational environment. Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may still be prohibited by other school policies or building, classroom, or program rules. Counseling, corrective discipline and referral to law enforcement will be used to change the behavior of the perpetrator and remediate the impact on the victim. This includes appropriate intervention, restoration of a positive climate, and support for victims and others impacted by the violation. False reports or retaliation against any person for reporting harassment, intimidation or bullying, or participating in an investigation as a witness, also constitute violations of this policy. Search and Seizure To maintain order and discipline in the schools and to protect the safety and welfare of students and school personnel, school authorities may search a student or PAGE 41 OF 58