SAFE 2 SAY SOMETHING
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies. If it makes you uncomfortable, submit a tip. It will be up to your school to determine what the next steps are. Tips can be submitted online at www.safe2saypa.org or by phone at 1-844-SAF2SAY (723- 2729) or through the Safe2Say app.
Bullying
The School District recognizes the negative impact that bullying has on student health, welfare, and safety and on the learning environment at school. The District also recognizes that bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and detracts from a safe environment.
The District defines bullying in our schools as an intentional electronic, written, verbal, nonverbal, psychological or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting or at a school-sponsored event, that is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:
- Substantially interfering with a student’s education;
- Creating a threatening school environment; or
- Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Bullying is further characterized by the following three (3) criteria:
- It is aggressive behavior or intentional harm doing.
- It is carried out repeatedly over time.
- It occurs between people where there is an imbalance of power (e.g. physical strength, mental capacity, popularity, or social skills).
When bullying or harassment occurs outside the school setting or any school sponsored event, we encourage families to contact local law enforcement.
Harassment
The District defines harassment as verbal, nonverbal, written, graphic or physical conduct relating to an individual’s sex, age, race, color, sexual orientation (known or perceived), gender identity expression (known or perceived), national origin/ethnicity, religion, disability, English language proficiency, socioeconomic status and/or political beliefs. Harassment does not have to include intent to harm, be directed at a specific target, or involve repeated incidents. Any harassment should be immediately reported to the building principal.
It is the District’s policy to maintain an educational environment in which harassment including sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual violence in any form is not tolerated. In line with Federal regulations (Title IX), the District defines sexual harassment as any instance of quid pro quo harassment by a school’s employee; any unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would find so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it denies a person equal educational access; any instance of sexual assault (as defined in the Clery Act), dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking (as defined in the Violence Against Women Act).
Examples of potential Title IX Sexual Harassment violations are:
- Bullying or Harassment based on sex or gender identity or expression
- Bullying or harassment in the form of:
- Comments, threats, gestures, or rumors of a sexual nature
- Sharing/showing images/videos of a sexual nature
- Non-consensual sex acts and sexual violence
Such conduct must have taken place in the school setting or school sponsored activity to qualify as sexual harassment subject to Title IX regulations at East Penn School District.
Discrimination
The East Penn School District does not discriminate in employment, education programs, or activities based on race, creed, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation (known or perceived), gender identity, expression (known or perceived), sex, handicap, disability, nationality, citizenship, union membership, or limited English proficiency.
The School District’s policy of non-discrimination extends to all other legally protected classifications as listed below:
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (ADA), is a federal law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities and, together with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), ensures to deaf and hard-of-hearing students, parents/guardians, staff, and community members the right of equal access to services and accommodations provided by the East Penn School District through enhanced communications.
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex and gender based discrimination.
Examples of sex based discrimination are
- inequitable funding in athletics
- discrimination against pregnant and parenting students
If you have concerns or questions related to Title IX please contact our Director of Human Resources at 610.966.8377
Reporting
Any school community member can report bullying, harassment and/or discrimination and all reports will be investigated. There are numerous ways to make a report:
- Contacting a school administrator or school designee including trusted teachers, staff, counselors, or coaches
- Submitting a Safe2Say report
- Contacting our Title IX Coordinator directly at 610.966.8377