Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind

It is the policy of the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind, and our K-12 Program the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind (ISDB) to maintain a safe school environment for all students while attending ISDB, riding an ISDB bus, and attending ISDB-sponsored activities on ISDB premises or at other locations. Harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, regardless of the specific nature of the students’ behavior, are disruptive to a safe school environment and will not be tolerated. The ISDB may participate in such activities to prevent bullying as it deems appropriate.

The School Principal, Bureau Administrator or Designee will investigate any allegations of misconduct that are reasonably characterized as harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Students who engage in harassment, intimidation, or bullying will be disciplined as determined to be appropriate, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion. The School Principal, Bureau Administrator or Designee will refer allegations of bullying to law enforcement if he/she reasonably believes that the student has engaged in conduct, including harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, in violation of Idaho Code Section 18-917A.

Prohibited Behavior

1. Physical abuse against a student, including, but not limited to, hitting, pushing, tripping, kicking, blocking, or restraining another’s movement; sexual misconduct; causing damage to another’s clothing or possessions; and taking another’s belongings.
2. Verbal abuse against a student, including, but not limited to, name calling, threatening, sexual misconduct, taunting, and malicious teasing.
3. Psychological abuse against a student, including, but not limited to, spreading harmful or inappropriate rumors regarding another, drawing inappropriate pictures or writing inappropriate statements regarding another, and intentionally excluding another from groups, or similar activities.
4. Harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, including any intentional gesture or any intentional written, verbal, or physical acts or threats, against another student that:
   1. A reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of:
   1. Harming a student; or
   2. Damaging a student’s property; or
   3. Placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person; or
   4. Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to his or her property.
   2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.

The prohibition extends not only to actions taking place on ISDB grounds but also actions originating at a remote location and carried out via any technology, including, but not limited to, the use of a landline, cell phone, or through the use of the internet, including but not limited to social media, that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network.