Bullying

    

Vista Charter Public Schools is committed to providing a safe and civil learning and working environment. VCPS takes a strong position against bullying, hazing or any behavior that infringes on the safety or well-being of students, employees, or interferes with learning or the ability to teach.Vista Charter Public Schools prohibits retaliatory behavior against anyone who files a complaint or who participates in the complaint investigation process. The policy applies to all other persons within the school’s jurisdiction. Complaints will be promptly investigated in a way that respects the privacy of the parties concerned.

Vista’s school policy requires all schools and all personnel to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and acceptance among students and staff. “All students and staff of public primary, elementary, junior and senior high have the inalienable right to attend campuses which are safe, secure and peaceful” [Article 1, Section 28(c) of the California State Constitution]. To fulfill this, at the beginning of each school year, all students will sign an, “Anti-Bullying Agreement”. This policy shall encompass behaviors or actions that occur among students, VCPS employees and associated adults. The policy is at school-related activities and events, at school’s programs and activities, traveling to and from school, and all other areas of the school’s jurisdiction. (Ed Code 489009(s)).

 

Bullying is defined as the deliberate antagonistic action or creation of a situation with the intent of inflicting emotional, physical, or psychological distress. The behavior may be a single or repeated act and may be electronic, indirect, non-verbal, psychological, sexual, social, physical or verbal.

 

Hazing is any method of initiation, pre-initiation, or rite of passage associated with actual or desired membership in a student organization or student body, whether or not it is officially recognized by the educational institution.

 

Parents and students are encouraged to work with the school site administration to address any
problems or concerns.

 

A student who engages in cyberbullying at school is subject to disciplinary action even if the bullying occurred on a personal cell phone or any electronic communication technology. Communications that occur off-campus but do compromise the safety or instructional environment of the school may fall under VISTA Charter Public Schools jurisdiction as well.