• Harassment

    Respect and empathy are essential for a positive and productive learning environment and WHS is committed to maintaining a learning environment that is free of harassment. We take this issue seriously and will not condone racial, ethnic, sexual or any other kind of harassment. Any student who is subject to, or knows of any harassment, should immediately notify a staff member, administrator, or campus monitor. All complaints will be promptly and thoroughly investigated. Appropriate disciplinary measures may be taken upon investigation.

    Cyberbullying
    Cyberbullying is the willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell-phones and other electronic devices.  Cyberbullying occurs when a student is threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another student through the use of any electronic communication device.  This includes any electronic communication that disrupts or prevents a safe and positive educational environment. 

    Posting nude photos of a minor is a crime in Oregon.  If it comes to the attention of WHS staff, the situation becomes a police matter. 

    Other examples of cyberbullying may include, but are not limited to:

    • Posting threatening or demeaning remarks about another student on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or Twitter.
    • Posting an image or video online of another person without that person’s knowledge, permission or consent.
    • Sending threatening or demeaning text messages.
    • Creating a webpage with the intent to degrade another person or damage their reputation.
    • Intentionally and cruelly excluding another person from an online group.
    • Continued, unwelcomed contact with another student through text or email.
    • Disclosing personal information about another person (i.e. home address, phone number, etc.) in an online forum without that person’s knowledge, permission or consent.

    Degrading and Threatening Remarks
    Any kind of remark or action that threatens, humiliates and/or degrades another person will be considered to be harassment.  This includes in-person communication, printed flyers or communication through various forms of electronic media.  Threatening or physically “bullying” another person is harassment. Examples include but are not limited to:

    • Making inappropriate comments to or about someone.
    • Baiting.
    • Calling names or encouraging others to do so.
    • Subjecting another person to offensive physical contact.
    • Insulting another person by abusive words, actions or gestures.
    • Threatening to inflict serious physical injury on another person or any member of that person’s family.

    Hazing and Menacing
    Hazing, menacing, intimidation or any act that injures, degrades or disgraces a student or staff member will not be tolerated.  Hazing is the use of harassment, abuse or humiliation as a way of initiating a person into a group.  Menacing is the use of words or actions that intentionally attempts to place a school employee or another student in fear of serious physical injury.

    Racial/Ethnic Harassment
    Any communication or action that disparages a person’s race, religion and/or ethnic origin will be considered harassment.  Examples of this include, but are not limited to:

    • Subjecting another person to offensive physical contact due to their race, religion and/or ethnic origin.
    • Insulting another person by abusive words, actions or gestures that are specifically related to a person’s race, religion and/or ethnic origin.
    • Threatening to inflict serious physical injury on another person or any member of that person’s family because of that person’s race, religion and/or ethnic origin.

    Sexual Harassment
    The Portland School District is committed to maintaining a learning environment that is free of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Any student or staff member who violates the sexual harassment policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

    Sexual harassment means any unwelcome sexual advances including, but not limited to: letters, notes, phone calls, texting, touching, leaning over, cornering, pinching, sexually suggestive looks/glances, pressure for sexual favors, pressure for dates, sexual teasing, jokes, remarks or questions which create a hostile, intimidating or offensive educational environment, or sexual advances, request for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is repeated after there has been a clear statement that the person shall stop.

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