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 Definition of bullying:
III. Bullying and Cyberbullying Defined
“Bullying” and “Cyberbullying” have the same meaning in this policy as in Maine law:A. “Bullying” includes, but is not limited to, a written, oral or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof directed at a student or students that:

(1) Has, or a reasonable person would expect it to have, the effect of:

(a) Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property; or
(b) Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or damage to the student’s property;
OR

(2) Interferes with the rights of a student by:

(a) Creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment for the student; or
(b) Interfering with the student’s academic performance or ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or privileges provided by a school;
OR

(3) Is based on a student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, gender, sexual orientation, or any other distinguishing characteristic, or is based on a student’s association with a person with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, and that has the effect described in subparagraph (1) or (2) above. (These behaviors might also meet the criteria for harassment as defined in board policy ACAA: Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students.)

Examples of conduct that may constitute bullying include, but are not limited to:

Repeated or pervasive taunting, name-calling, belittling, mocking, put-downs, or demeaning humor;
Behavior that is likely to harm someone by damaging or manipulating his or her relationships with others, including but not limited to gossip, spreading rumors, and social exclusion;
Non-verbal threats and/or intimidations such as use of aggressive, menacing, or disrespectful gestures;
Threats of harm to a student, to his/her possessions, or to other individuals, whether transmitted verbally or in writing;
Blackmail, extortion, demands for protection money, or involuntary loans or donations;
Blocking access to school property or facilities;
Stealing or hiding books, backpacks, or other possessions;
Stalking; and
Physical contact or injury to another person or his/her property.
B. “Cyberbullying” means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including, but not limited to, a transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted by the use of any electronic device, including, but not limited to, a computer, telephone, cellular telephone, text messaging device and personal digital assistant.

Examples of conduct that may constitute cyberbullying include, but are not limited to the following actions on any electronic medium:

Posting slurs or rumors or displaying any defamatory, inaccurate, disparaging, violent, abusive, profane, or sexually oriented material about a student on a website, an app, in social media, or any other electronic platform;
Posting misleading or fake photographs or digital video footage of a student on websites or creating fake websites or social networking profiles in the guise of posing as the targeted student;
Impersonating or representing another student through the use of that other student’s electronic device or account to send e-mail, text messages, instant messages (IM), phone calls or other messages on a social media website;
Sending e-mail, text messages, IM, or leaving voice mail messages that are mean or threatening, or so numerous as to bombard the target’s e-mail account, IM account, or cell phone; and
Using a camera phone or digital video camera to take and/or send embarrassing or “sexting” photographs of other students.
C. “Retaliation” means an act or gesture against a student for asserting or alleging an act of bullying. “Retaliation” also includes knowingly falsely reporting an act of bullying.

D. “Substantiated” means that the outcomes of the investigation on the Responding Form (JICK-E2) provide clear evidence to prove that bullying or cyberbullying, as defined in policy, did occur.

E. “Alternative discipline” means disciplinary action other than suspension or expulsion from school that is designed to correct and address the root causes of a student’s specific misbehavior while retaining the student in class or school, or restorative school practices to repair the harm done to relationships and persons from the student’s misbehavior.