Bullying is defined as repeated acts by any student in the New Haven Public School district against another student in the district that causes physical or emotional harm to a student or such student’s property, places a student in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her property, creates a hostile environment at school for such student, infringes on the rights of such student at school, or substantially disrupts the educational process.

Bullying may include, but is not limited to, acts based on actual or perceived differentiating characteristics: gender, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, national origin, race, sexual orientation, physical, mental, developmental or sensory capacity, academic status, physical appearance, or religion. Bullying extends to hostile written, verbal or electronic communication or physical acts or gestures against any student(s) associated with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of the above perceived differentiating characteristics, including physical appearance, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, developmental or sensory disability.

Cyberbullying is the use of technology, including but not limited to email, cellular mobile telephone, instant messaging, web pages, and digital photos, to harass or bully someone.

The New Haven Board of Education will not tolerate any form of bullying of members of the New Haven Public School community by students, parents, visitors or employees of the New Haven Public Schools, while on school grounds, school buses, at a school bus stop or school related activities. Bullying occurring outside of the school setting is also prohibited and will not be tolerated if such bullying creates a hostile environment at school for the targeted student, infringes on the targeted student’s rights at school, or substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of school. The New Haven Public Schools requires students, staff and/or parents to report all cases of bullying immediately to the school’s administrator, Title IX Coordinator, administrator’s designee, or director. Discrimination and retaliation against an individual who reports or assists in the investigation of an act of bullying are prohibited. Teachers and other school staff who witness or receive reports of bullying are required to notify the appropriate administrator immediately. The notification must be made in writing.