Student Handbooks Elementary Handbook 2019-20 | Page 46

ANTI HAZING POLICY 5131.7 I. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe learning environment for students and staff that is free from hazing. Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational goals of the school district and are prohibited at all times. II. General Statement of Policy A. No student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district shall plan, direct, encourage, aide, or engage in hazing. B. No teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district shall permit, condone, or tolerate hazing. C. Apparent permission or consent by a person being hazed does not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy. D. Hazing activities are seriously disruptive of the educational process in that they involve students and violence or threats of violence. This policy applies to behavior that occurs on or off school property and during and after school hours. E. A person who engages in an act that violates school policy or law in order to initiate another person or to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization shall be subject to discipline for that act. F. The school district will act to investigate all complaints of hazing and will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district who is found to have violated this policy. III. Definitions A. “Hazing” means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a risk of harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a school organization. The term hazing includes, but is not limited to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Any type of physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, or placing a harmful substance on the body. Any type of physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, confinement in a restricted area, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects the student to a risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student. Any activity involving the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, drug, tobacco product, or any other food, liquid, or substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student. Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects a student to stress, embarrassment, shame, or humiliation, that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from remaining in school. Any activity that causes or requires the student to perform a task that involves violation of state or federal law or of school district policies or regulations. 42