We look to create a secure school climate that fosters a positive learning environment and is free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behavior.

Bullying is prohibited on district property, at district or school-sanctioned activities and events, when students are being transported in any vehicle dispatched by the district or one of its schools, or off school property when such conduct has a nexus to school or any district curricular or non-curricular activity or event.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is the use of coercion or intimidation to obtain control over another person and to cause physical, mental, or emotional harm to another person. Bullying can occur through written, verbal, or electronically transmitted expression or through physical act or gesture.

Bullying is…

• Intentional
• Repeated or likely to be repeated
• Marked by an imbalance of power

Bullying vs. Conflict

Bullying is different than conflict. Conflict occurs when two or more people disagree, and is different from bullying. Conflict is a natural part of human relationships as people grow and change. Those involved in a conflict usually want the issue to be resolved, to maintain a healthy relationship, and to avoid hurting the other party or parties.

Conflict is…

• Non-violent
• Occurs between people of equal power

Bullying vs. Harassment

Harassment based on a protected class—a person’s disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services, is a form of discrimination prohibited by state and federal law. Harassing conduct may take many forms that are similar to bullying, including verbal abuse, graphic or written statements, threats, physical assault, or other conduct that is threatening or humiliating, but harassment occurs when the negative behavior is based on a student’s status or membership in a protected class. Bullying behavior becomes harassment when the negative behavior is based on a target’s status or membership in a protected class and is so severe and pervasive that it impacts a student’s ability to participate in the educational environment. Students experiencing harassment have additional protections at the federal level and federally-funded schools are required to follow specific procedures for reporting, investigating, and resolving complaints of harassment—including a separate process for sexual harassment complaints under Title IX.

Bullying Prevention

We follow the philosophy of the Colorado Department of Education's (CDE) mission on the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS). PBIS looks to establish and maintain effective school environments that maximize academic achievement and behavioral competence of all learners in Colorado. It is a prevention-based framework for organizing evidence-based behavioral supports into an integrated continuum that enhances academic and social outcomes for all students.

How to Report Bullying or Harassment

To report instances of bullying or harassment, download the Bullying Report Form, fill in the information and details of the incident, and turn in a paper copy of your report to a trusted staff member or administrator at your school. Though reports can be anonymous, reporting anonymously creates significant barriers for school officials to properly investigate and resolve bullying situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is bullying? Bullying is the use of coercion or intimidation to obtain control over another person and to cause physical, mental, or emotional harm to another person. See above for details.

• If bullying occurs, what should my student do? Immediately report instances of bullying or harassment to a trusted school staff member or administrator.

• What happens when there is a report of bullying? Staff members immediately investigate reports, obtaining multiple perspectives.

• What happens to someone who bullies? Any type of bullying in our schools is unacceptable. The actions of the individual are evaluated in line with school policy, the Student Code of Conduct, and the Discipline Matrix. Due to student privacy laws, disciplinary action(s) cannot be shared.