Policy on Safety

Scope:

This policy covers conduct that takes place on the premises of the FDS co-op. It also covers behavior that occurs at any FDS-sponsored activity, regardless of location. This policy also pertains to the usage of electronic technology and electronic communication that occurs at the co-op and FDS-sponsored functions and activities and on computers, networks, forums, and mailing lists used at any FDS-sponsored action, including the FDS Facebook Group; this policy applies to the entire FDS community, including teachers, students, parents, and volunteers.

Notice:

This policy may be revised at any time and is reviewed by the directors at the beginning of each co-op year. The policy will be given to teachers before the start of each year and posted to our website for all families and volunteers to read before the semester begins.

Definitions:

Discrimination is treating a person of a particular group differently based on their protected class characteristic.

Harassment is defined as verbal, written, or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of the person’s protected status and has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive education environment. Harassing conduct includes epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts; denigrating jokes; and written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group that is placed on walls or elsewhere on FDS premises or circulated by email, phone (including voice messages), text messages, social networking sites, or other means. Harassment does not include verbal expressions or written material relevant and appropriately related to the course subject matter or curriculum.

Sexual Harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual Harassment may include a range of subtle and not-so-subtle behaviors and may involve individuals of the same or different gender. Depending on the circumstances, these behaviors may consist of unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favors; sexual jokes and innuendo; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; commentary about an individual’s body, sexual prowess, or sexual deficiencies; leering, whistling, or touching; insulting or obscene comments or gestures; display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; and other physical, verbal, or visual conduct of a sexual nature in the workplace. Sexual Harassment can take two forms: 1) a hostile environment and 2) “quid pro quo,” which means “you do something for me, and I’ll do something for you” in a sexual context.

Bullying is defined as any written or verbal expression, physical or electronic act or gesture, or a pattern intended to coerce, intimidate, or cause any physical, mental, or emotional harm to any student or would be reasonably assumed to cause damage. Bullying is prohibited against any student for any reason, including but not limited to any such behavior directed toward a student based on academic performance or against whom federal and state laws prohibit discrimination. To guide the investigation of alleged bullying, three key elements must be present to fall into the Substantiated Bullying category. This includes behaviors that are repeated or could be reasonably repeated, intentional, and reflect a power imbalance between the individual engaged in bullying behavior and the one being bullied. Bullying includes making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, or purposely excluding someone from a group. Cyberbullying is a specific form of bullying using technology to hurt, harm, or humiliate another individual or group.