Antelope Valley School District

AVUHSD Sexual Harassment Policy

The Governing Board is committed to maintaining an educational environment that is free from harassment. The Board prohibits sexual harassment of students by other students, employees or other persons, at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities.

Any student who engages in sexual harassment of anyone at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity is in violation of this policy and shall be subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include suspension and/or expulsion, provided that in imposing such discipline the entire circumstances of the incident(s) shall be taken into account.

Staff Responsibility

A school employee to whom a report of harassment is made will, within 24 hours, report it to the principal or designee, or to the Director of Personnel, Kristina Ramos at (661) 948-7655, or Superintendent.

A school employee who observes any incident of harassment shall report the observation to the principal or designee whether or not the victim files a complaint.

What is sexual harassment?

Harassment takes many forms and may include some or all of the following:

VERBAL: Derogatory, obscene or vulgar comments. Continued unwanted or unwelcome requests for social/sexual contact. Sexually patronizing comments or terms (examples: honey, doll, babe, etc). Teasing or sexual remarks about a student enrolled in a predominantly single-gender class.

VISUAL: Offensive sexual visual material (examples: computer software, pictures, magazines, cartoons, objects, movies, calendars, etc). Sexual or vulgar gestures. Staring or leering.

PHYSICAL: Touching, pinching, grabbing, massaging or brushing the body. Impeding or blocking movement. Attempted or actual sexual assault.

REQUESTS FOR SEXUAL FAVORS: Are harassment if they are linked either implicitly or explicitly to any job or education benefit or privilege, including the withdrawal or alteration of said benefits or privileges as punishment for refusing requests for sexual or social contact.

Reporting Policy

Any student who feels that he/she is being or has been subjected to sexual harassment should immediately contact his/her teacher or any other employee, the principal or principal’s designee or the Nondiscrimination Coordinator. The Nondiscrimination Coordinator is Jan Medema, Director of Personnel at (661)948-7655 ext. 254.

The Principal or designee to whom a complaint of sexual harassment is reported shall immediately investigate the complaint.

When the principal or designee finds that sexual harassment has occurred, he/she shall take prompt, appropriate action to end the harassment and address its effects on the victim.

Retaliation against an individual who reports a violation of the district’s sexual harassment or discrimination policies or who participates in the investigation of such a complaint is prohibited.

All complaints and allegations of sexual harassment shall be kept confidential except as necessary to carry out the investigation or take other subsequent necessary action as required by law.

Gender Bias and Non-Discrimination

The Governing Board is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination based on gender, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or the perception of one or more of such characteristics.

The Board of Trustees shall ensure equal opportunities for all students in admission and access to the education program, guidance and counseling programs, athletic programs, testing procedures and other activities. Eligibility for choral and cheerleading groups shall be determined solely on the basis of objective competencies. In physical education, when objective standards have an adverse effect on students because of their gender, race, ethnic group, or disability other standards shall be used to measure achievement and create comparable education opportunities.

School staff and volunteers shall carefully guard against segregation, bias and stereotyping in instruction, guidance and supervision.

Student Quiz…Yes or No?

  1. Is it okay to continually ask for social contact from another student who has already said “no”?
  2. Is it okay to grab or massage another student without their permission?
  3. Is it okay to call another student names because of their heritage or gender?
  4. Is it okay to surf the net at school for sexual stuff like screensavers or backgrounds?

The answer to all of these questions is: NO!

It is NOT okay to do any of the things above! Think before you act!