Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying (HIB) Resources & Reporting

Option 1: Fill out an online form, managed by Google Forms. By filing an online feedback form, an automatic report is sent to school administrators. This is an informal way to report a concern, and you will be contacted for a follow-up conversation to gather more information. 

INFORMAL REPORTING FORM  FORMULARIO DE INFORME INFORMAL

Option 2: Fill out a PDF OSD Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Incident Reporting Form. After completing this form, you will need to send the completed form either electronically or in paper copy to a school administrator.

FORMAL REPORTING FORM  FORMULARIO DE INFORME FORMAL

Option 3: Fill out a paper copy of the OSD Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Incident Reporting Form. This paper copy is available in each school office. After completing this form, give it to a school administrator.

Option 4: Write out a report (without completing a form) and give it to any school staff member. OR verbally share report with any staff member.

A complaint can be filed anonymously, confidentially or non-confidentially. Supportive measures will be offered in response to all reports. However, disciplinary actions on the alleged aggressor can only be imposed based on non-confidential reports. Once an incident has been filed, the following steps are taken:

STEP 1:

• A school administrator will reach out and contact you within two school days.
• A time to meet with an administrator, family member(s) and students will be scheduled. 
   

STEP 2A: A complaint can be resolved informally.

This can include but is not limited to:

• Developing a success plan for the complainant. 
• A mediated exchange between the complainant and the alleged aggressor.
• A warning issued to the alleged aggressor by an administrator.

If not satisfied with the informal resolution, a complainant may request to initiate a formal investigation at any time.

STEP 2B: A complaint can be resolved formally.

A formal investigation should be initiated. A formal investigation will be completed within five school days. If an investigation requires additional time, the investigator will give weekly updates to parents/guardians. Families will receive a written response within two school days upon completion of the investigation. 

A formal investigation will include:

• Interview with the involved parties, witnesses and with family members whenever appropriate and necessary.
• A review of any previous complaints involving either the complainant or the alleged aggressor. 
   

STEP 3: A written response will be provided. 

No later than two school days after an investigation has been completed, a written response will be given to the parent/guardian of the complainant, and to the parent/guardian of the alleged aggressor. A written report of the investigation will be provided to the District Compliance Officer. 

STEP 4: Building administration will institute corrective measures as necessary.

Building administration will institute corrective measures as necessary, as soon as possible, but no later than five school days after the investigation is complete and families have been contacted. The complainant’s family will not be notified of the corrective measures that are imposed on other students due to student privacy laws.

The District will take prompt and equitable corrective measures.

If a student is found to have been subjected to harassment, intimidation or bullying, they will have appropriate district support services made available to them.

*A staff member who isn't an administrator is required to report the incident to an administrator. Once a report has been shared with them (either by the complainant or by another staff member), the administrator will communicate with the complainant and their family to determine next steps. 

**Refer to Policy Procedure 3207P for reference.

Step 1:

If the complainant or parent/guardian is dissatisfied with the results of the investigation, they may appeal to the superintendent or designee by filing a written notice of appeal with the Assistant Director of Compliance, within five (5) school days of receiving the written decision. The superintendent or designee will review the investigative report and issue a written decision on the merits of the appeal within five (5) school days of receiving the notice of appeal.

Step 2:

If the targeted student remains dissatisfied after the initial appeal to the superintendent or designee, the student may appeal to the school board by filing a written notice of appeal with the secretary of the school board on or before the fifth (5th) school day following the date upon which the complainant received the superintendent or designee's written decision.

Step 3:

An appeal before the school board must be heard on or before the tenth (10th) school day following the filing of the written notice of appeal to the school board. The school board will review the record and render a written decision on the merits of the appeal on or before the fifth (5th) school day following the termination of the hearing, and will provide a copy for all parties involved. The board's decision will be the final district decision.

Rude

• Definition: Inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else.
• Example: Burping in someone's face, jumping ahead in line, bragging without thinking.
• Characteristics: Usually spontaneous, not meant to hurt someone, based on thoughtlessness or poor manners.

Appropriate Response: Encourage students to use their words to tell the person to stop.

Mean

• Definition: Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone, usually once or twice.
• Example: Criticizing appearance, intelligence, or anything to put someone down.
• Characteristics: Intentional, often motivated by anger, impulsive cruelty, can be regretted later, could be a response to a spontaneous event.

Appropriate Response: Share with an adult at school to get additional support with addressing/stopping this behavior. Students need to be held accountable for being mean.

Bullying

• Definition: Intentionally aggressive behavior, repeated over time, involving an imbalance of power.
• Example: Repeatedly saying or doing hurtful things with no remorse, often with a power imbalance.
• Characteristics: Intentional, repeated, no regret, can be physical, verbal, relational, or through technology.
• Bullying is done with a goal to hurt, harm or humiliate.
• Bullying is wrong, and the focus should be on stopping it, not finding a middle ground.

Appropriate Response: Share with an adult at school to get additional support with addressing/stopping this behavior. There are many ways to report bullying. 

Conflict

• Definition: Disagreement or argument in which both sides express their views.
• Example: A disagreement where both parties share their opinions or a situation where it was found that both parties participated in the incident.
• Characteristics: Normal part of everyday experience, doesn't necessarily make someone feel unsafe.

When reporting anonymously, please consider the following:

• The report may be treated as informational only if an investigation is unable to be completed with the information provided.
• Depending on the information provided, an investigation may or may not occur.
• No discipline can be assigned based on an anonymous report.

OSD anonymous safety concern tip line

• https://othello-wa.safeschoolsalert.com/
• Report can be for any safety concern that includes, but is not limited to fighting, drug or alcohol abuse, or threatening behavior

Lifeline

• https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
• 1-800-273-8255
• For deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-799-4889
• Lifeline Chat is a service of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, connecting individuals with counselors for emotional support and other services.
• Othello School District will not be notified.
• Resources will be made available.

Crisis Text Line:

• Text HOME to 741741 or go to crisistextline.org/texting-in
• Othello School District will not be notified.
• Resources will be made available.

Adams County 24-Hour Crisis Line

• 1-877-266-1818
• Othello School district will not be notified.

When reporting non-anonymously, please consider the following:

• A building administrator will contact you regarding your experience.
• You have the option to report confidentially or non-confidentially.
• Depending on the information provided, an investigation may or may not occur.
• Depending on the information provided, an investigation may be mandatory according to the law.

Othello School District Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Online Form:

• OSD HIB Online Reporting Form
• A building administrator will be notified of your report and reach out to you. This may include a request for more information, what result you would like from the report and/or to inform you what next steps are in the reporting process. Because each story is unique, each result and response can also be unique.
• Resources may include mental health referral, social emotional supports, safety plan, and academic services.

In-Person Report:

• Students and families may report directly to any district staff member when harassment, intimidation, or bullying is taking place.

The Othello School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. In order to ensure respect and prevent harm, it is a violation of District Policy 3207 for a student to be harassed, intimidated, or bullied by others in the school community, at school sponsored events, or when such actions create a substantial disruption to the educational process. 

If your child feels they have been harassed or bullied, the incident(s) should be reported immediately to a teacher, counselor, or principal. Children harassed, intimidated, or bullied on the bus may report information to Marian Shade, Director of Transportation, at 509-488-2659.

For appeals or procedure questions, Sandra Villarreal, Executive Director of Human Resources, can be contacted at 509-488-2659. 

Washington State Legal Definition 

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act when the intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act: 

• Physically harms a student or damages the student's property; or 
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education; or 
• Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or 
• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.