Imagine School at Land O' Lakes

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ THIS PAGE BEFORE REPORTING AN INCIDENT.

Harassment or bullying of students or staff is an extremely serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct. It can also be a violation of criminal law. The district will not tolerate unlawful bullying and harassment, including sex-based harassment, in schools or school campuses, school sponsored buses, school-related or school-sponsored events, or through the use of technology or any electronic communication. The physical location or time of access of a computer-related incident cannot be raised as a defense in any disciplinary action initiated pursuant to this policy.

“Harassment” means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a student or employee that:

• Places a student or employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property
  
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits
  
• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of school
  

Any student who believes he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based harassment, other sex-based harassment or targeted for any other reason should immediately report the harassment to the district. The district is committed to taking immediate action to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and reduce its effects. Students found to have engaged in acts of harassment or sex-based harassment will be subject to prompt disciplinary action, including, if warranted, suspension or expulsion. Students, parents, and staff are encouraged to work together to prevent sex-based harassment.

Florida law allows anonymous reporting of bullying, harassment, and hazing. "Hazing” means any action or situation that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student at a school with any of grades 6 through 12 for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a school with any of grades 6 through 12. “Hazing” includes, but is not limited to:

• (a) Pressuring, coercing, or forcing a student into:
  
  • Violating state or federal law;
    
  • Consuming any food, liquor, drug, or other substance; or
    
  • Participating in physical activity that could adversely affect the health or safety of the student.
    
• (b) Any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, or exposure to the elements.
  

Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Stop Bullying - Information and Reporting

Together We Stand