Anti-Harassment/Bullying Policy

HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING Saint Joseph High School (the “School”) believes that a safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. Therefore, the School will not tolerate acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying (“HIB”).

The school expects all students to treat each other with civility and respect and not to engage in behavior that is disruptive or violent. The district expects students to always conduct themselves in keeping with its behavior policy and honor code, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, for school personnel, for the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and for the care of school facilities and equipment.

The school prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying against any student. The school’s responses to harassment, intimidation and bullying shall be aligned with the behavior policy and honor code, and the grounds and procedures for discipline set forth therein.  

HIB is defined as any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents, that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory characteristic. HIB is also defined as 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
• It is so severe, persistent, or significant that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment for other students. 44 Peer conflict, however, happens in everyday life and can look like anything from a minor disagreement to a full-blown argument.

Peer conflict is typically mutual and spontaneous rather than being one-sided or ongoing, and it is not always HIB that must be reported.  

Students must always conduct themselves in a manner consistent with their status as a member of the school’s community. Behavior that is contrary to the moral or religious principles of the Roman Catholic Church or the philosophy or policies of the school as indicated in the Student Handbook may (will) be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or dismissal.

Any student who is notified of, observes, overhears, or otherwise witnesses HIB may not ignore such conduct, and should report the conduct to a staff member, and/or, if necessary, to the Dean of Students and/or his or her staff. Failure to do so may, in appropriate circumstances, lead to disciplinary action up to and/or including suspension or dismissal. Such allegations will be taken seriously and can, in the discretion of the school, result in a formal investigation and remedial and disciplinary action up to and/or including suspension or dismissal