For a school to determine bullying, it has to meet three criteria:

A. Repeated behaviors (doesn't have to be the same behavior)

B. Happen over a period of time ( period of time is not defined, but but if documented or adressed by a person of authority, then the time period can be very short)

C. Have a demonstration of power over somebody.

 

So, the questions that need answered are:

A. Has there been issues between these athletes before?

B. How long has these behaviors been going on?

C. Did Jeremy know of any issues prior?

 

If this event doesn't fulfill these requirements, it is NOT bullying by school standards. It can be assault or harassment.

 

This will take time to investigate thoroughly.

 

This does not exactly match what Highlands shows as their definition, but it is close:

 

BULLYING DEFINED

Bullying refers to any intentional act by a student or groups of students directed against another student to ridicule, humiliate, or intimidate the other student while on school grounds, or at a school sponsored activity, which acts are repeated against the same student over time.

 

ACTIONS NOT TOLERATED

The use of lewd, profane or vulgar language is prohibited. In addition, students shall not engage in behaviors such as hazing, bullying, menacing, taunting, intimidating, verbal or physical abuse of others, or other threatening behavior.1 This policy extends to any/all student language or behavior including, but not limited to, the use of electronic or online methods. Such behavior is disruptive of the educational process and interferes with the ability of other students to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered.

These provisions shall not be interpreted to prohibit civil exchange of opinions or debate protected under the state or federal constitutions where the opinion expressed does not otherwise materially or substantially disrupt the education process or intrude upon the rights of others.

Students who violate this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

The key facts that make a really big difference in my mind about the proper punishment is what incidents, if any,

happened prior to this one. If this is a first time incident by the perpetrator, I would be more lenient than most on here seem to be. If it is not a first time incident, I would be in favor of the most severe punishment possible including expulsion from school. First time perp, I will give you another chance. Any prior bullying by you, you're gone

 

I agree in the sense of giving another chance with regards to school. No chance he takes part in another athletic activity or school sponsored activity though.

This has been termed "harassment"

 

Punishment was 3 day suspension from school.

 

Baseball side yet to be determined, but you can bet it will not be for the season. Guessing more the 5 games that have already been mentioned.

 

The real issue here is that the victim has quit the team.

 

Know a lot more information about the situation as a whole that I do not care to disclose on here or to anyone for that matter. While I was not for expulsion from school, the punishment was too lenient whether it was a first offense or a third offense. Cannot comment on the baseball part of it because I am not privy to that information.

I haven't passed any judgment on the matter other than the students involved need to be taught a serious lesson.

 

Kinda hard to do any more than that without knowing what's happened in the past and how it will be dealt with. After the investigation is done and punishment is handed down, then we can point fingers at Coaches and Administration, if necessary.

Not only that but I know personally of a girl who was bullied constantly at SK during her time there. Like I keep saying, Highlands does not hold the patent on all bad things. People in glass houses and all that...

 

Really? I'm pretty sure the girl didn't get urine thrown on her.

This has been termed "harassment"

 

Punishment was 3 day suspension from school.

 

Baseball side yet to be determined, but you can bet it will not be for the season. Guessing more the 5 games that have already been mentioned.

 

The real issue here is that the victim has quit the team.

 

Know a lot more information about the situation as a whole that I do not care to disclose on here or to anyone for that matter. While I was not for expulsion from school, the punishment was too lenient whether it was a first offense or a third offense. Cannot comment on the baseball part of it because I am not privy to that information.

 

Agree.

From Highlands site again, on Harrassment:

 

Harassment/Discrimination

DEFINITION

Harassment/Discrimination is unlawful behavior based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex or disability that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or objectively offensive that it adversely affects a student's education or creates a hostile or abusive educational environment.

The provisions of this policy shall not be interpreted as applying to speech otherwise protected under the state or federal constitutions where the speech does not otherwise materially or substantially disrupt the educational process, as defined by policy 09.426, or where it does not violate provisions of policy 09.422.

 

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Students who engage in harassment/discrimination of an employee or another student on the basis of any of the areas mentioned above shall be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension and expulsion.

 

PROHIBITED CONDUCT

Depending on the circumstances and facts of the situation, and within the definition of harassment/discrimination contained in this policy, examples of conduct and/or actions that could be considered a violation of this policy include, but are not limited to:

1. Any nicknames, slurs, stories, jokes, written materials or pictures that are lewd, vulgar, or profane and relate to any of the protected categories listed in the definition of harassment/discrimination contained in this policy;

 

STUDENTS 09.42811

(CONTINUED)

Harassment/Discrimination

PROHIBITED CONDUCT (CONTINUED)

2. Unwanted touching, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and spreading sexual rumors;

3. Instances involving sexual violence;

4. Causing a student to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct in order to participate in a school program or activity or that an educational decision will be based on whether or not the student submits to unwelcome sexual conduct;

5. Implied or overt threats of physical violence or acts of aggression or assault based on any of the protected categories;

6. Seeking to involve students with disabilities in antisocial, dangerous or criminal activity where the students, because of disability, are unable to comprehend fully or consent to the activity; and

7. Destroying or damaging an individual's property based on any of the protected categories.

This has been termed "harassment"

 

Punishment was 3 day suspension from school.

 

Baseball side yet to be determined, but you can bet it will not be for the season. Guessing more the 5 games that have already been mentioned.

 

The real issue here is that the victim has quit the team.

 

Know a lot more information about the situation as a whole that I do not care to disclose on here or to anyone for that matter. While I was not for expulsion from school, the punishment was too lenient whether it was a first offense or a third offense. Cannot comment on the baseball part of it because I am not privy to that information.

 

This is the biggest issue. If this student didn't feel comfortable enough to continue on the team how is he supposed to feel comfortable in school with them?

Deleted

Really? I'm pretty sure the girl didn't get urine thrown on her.

 

So that makes it OK? :ohbrother:

Really? I'm pretty sure the girl didn't get urine thrown on her.

 

You don't know the girl or the situation so how could you be pretty sure about anything? You don't even know the facts of this situation; you are just here to bash Highlands as always.

From Highlands site again, on Harrassment:

 

Harassment/Discrimination

DEFINITION

Harassment/Discrimination is unlawful behavior based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex or disability that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or objectively offensive that it adversely affects a student's education or creates a hostile or abusive educational environment.

The provisions of this policy shall not be interpreted as applying to speech otherwise protected under the state or federal constitutions where the speech does not otherwise materially or substantially disrupt the educational process, as defined by policy 09.426, or where it does not violate provisions of policy 09.422.

 

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Students who engage in harassment/discrimination of an employee or another student on the basis of any of the areas mentioned above shall be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension and expulsion.

 

PROHIBITED CONDUCT

Depending on the circumstances and facts of the situation, and within the definition of harassment/discrimination contained in this policy, examples of conduct and/or actions that could be considered a violation of this policy include, but are not limited to:

1. Any nicknames, slurs, stories, jokes, written materials or pictures that are lewd, vulgar, or profane and relate to any of the protected categories listed in the definition of harassment/discrimination contained in this policy;

 

STUDENTS 09.42811

(CONTINUED)

Harassment/Discrimination

PROHIBITED CONDUCT (CONTINUED)

2. Unwanted touching, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and spreading sexual rumors;

3. Instances involving sexual violence;

4. Causing a student to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct in order to participate in a school program or activity or that an educational decision will be based on whether or not the student submits to unwelcome sexual conduct;

5. Implied or overt threats of physical violence or acts of aggression or assault based on any of the protected categories;

6. Seeking to involve students with disabilities in antisocial, dangerous or criminal activity where the students, because of disability, are unable to comprehend fully or consent to the activity; and

7. Destroying or damaging an individual's property based on any of the protected categories.

 

How does this incident fit into this definition of harrassment? Kind of weird to squeeze it into that unless the victim fits into one of the protected categories.

Using the Definitions Highlands uses to differentiate Bullying and Harassment, I would think the actions which are talked about occurring here fall more closely with Bullying than Harassment. But, of course I do not know all the details, only what is being reported here. At least that is my opinion. Again, the real crime is that the young man has quit the team.

How does this incident fit into this definition of harrassment? Kind of weird to squeeze it into that unless the victim fits into one of the protected categories.

 

So I am not the only one who wondered that.

Using the Definitions Highlands uses to differentiate Bullying and Harassment, I would think the actions which are talked about occurring here fall more closely with Bullying than Harassment. But, of course I do not know all the details, only what is being reported here. At least that is my opinion. Again, the real crime is that the young man has quit the team.

 

It would allow them to lessen the stigma associated with the term bullying, especially in light of a recent incidents in Kentucky such as this one.