Bullying shall include , but need not be limited to , a written , oral , or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic , such as race , color , religion , ancestry , national origin , gender , sexual orientation , gender identity or expression , socioeconomic status , academic status , physical appearance , or mental , physical , developmental or sensory disability , or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics .
“ Cyberbullying ” means any act of bullying through the use of the Internet , interactive and digital technologies , cellular mobile telephone or other mobile electronic devices or any electronic communications .
“ Teen dating violence ” means any act of physical , emotional or sexual abuse , including stalking , harassing and threatening that occurs between two students who are currently in or have recently been in a dating relationship .
“ Mobile electronic device ” means any hand-held or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing data communication between two or more individuals , including , but not limited to , a text messaging device , a paging device , a personal digital assistant , a laptop computer , equipment that is capable of playing a video game or a digital video disk , or equipment on which digital images are taken or transmitted .
“ Electronic communication ” means any transfer of signs , signals , writing , images , sounds , data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire , radio , electromagnetic , photoelectronic or photo-optical system .
“ Hostile environment ” means a situation in which bullying among students is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the school climate .
“ Outside of the school setting ” means at a location , activity or program that is not school related , or through the use of an electronic device or a mobile electronic device that is not owned , leased or used by a local or regional board of education .
“ School employee ” means ( a ) a teacher , substitute teacher , school administrator , school superintendent , guidance counselor , school counselor , psychologist , social worker , nurse , physician , school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working in a public elementary , middle or high school ; or ( b ) any other individual who , in the performance of his or her duties , has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary , middle or high school , pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education .
“ School climate ” means the quality and character of school life based on patterns of students , parents ’ and guardians ’ and school employees ’ experiences of school life , including , but not limited to , norms , goals , values , interpersonal relationships , teaching and learning practices and organizational structures .
“ Positive school climate ” means ( A ) a school climate in which the norms , values , expectations and beliefs that support feelings of social , emotional and physical safety are promoted , ( B ) students , parents and guardians of students and school employees feel engaged and respected and work together to develop and contribute to a shared school vision , ( C ) educators model and nurture attitudes that emphasize the benefits and satisfaction gained from learning , and ( D ) each person feels comfortable contributing to the operation of the school and care of the physical environment of the school .
Revised 8 / 23 / 2024