Hate speech and behavior
Policy and procedure
Hate speech and behavior policy
Bellingham Public Schools believes in fostering an environment that is safe and free of hate-biased language and behaviors for all students and staff. Hate speech and behavior has a lasting and harmful impact on our community; therefore, we will vigorously seek to heal and educate in order to strengthen and diversify our next generation of leaders.
This policy and its accompanying procedure promote empathy and compassion while augmenting district compliance with local, state and federal laws concerning harassment, intimidation, bullying (Policy 3207 and Policy 3241) and discrimination.
Language and behaviors directed at individuals or groups of people will be classified as hate speech or behavior when the words, behaviors, or gestures
- are used to intimidate, threaten, or otherwise interfere with another person’s wellbeing,
- have the effect of invading a student’s right to an education, and/or
- have the effect of materially disrupting classwork or creating substantial disorder of the school environment,
and are directed based on one’s perception of another person’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or mental, physical, or sensory disability.
Hate speech and behavior education will be offered by the district in a way that is accurate, age appropriate, and culturally appropriate for students of all identities.
No student shall engage in hate speech or behaviors that disrupt the educational environment, or that collides with the rights of others to have a learning or work environment that is safe and free of hate speech and behavior.
No employee shall engage in hate speech or behaviors that disrupt the educational or work environment, or that collides with the rights of others to have a learning or work environment that is safe and free of hate speech and behavior.
Hate speech and behavior is prohibited in educational materials and lessons if the hate speech and behavior is emphasized as humor, weaponized by a protagonist in a text, lacks context, or if the outcomes associated with the resource can be reached by using resources without hate speech and behavior. Hate speech and behavior shall include, but is not limited to:
- verbalizing or writing slurs,
- gestures connected to hate, and/or
- displaying symbols of hate.
The district will protect free speech when expressions do not invade the rights of other students and/or staff.
Anyone having knowledge of hate speech and behavior which they believe violates this policy should report the incident. District administration will provide support and accountability to this policy and the accompanying procedure.
Violations of this policy will be addressed by the school and district administration in accordance with the associated district procedures, building procedures, employee guidelines, and state and federal laws. Language and behavior may be subject to additional review under other policies, such as harassment, intimidation, bullying, and, nondiscrimination, or student conduct, and student discipline (Policies 3207, 3211, and 3241).
Cross references
Policy 3207 Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
Policy 3210 Nondiscrimination
Policy 3211 Gender Inclusive
Policy 3240 Student Conduct
Policy 3205 Sexual Harassment
Policy 2145 Suicide Prevention
Hate speech and behavior procedure
Bellingham Public Schools believes in fostering an environment that is safe and free of hate-biased language and behaviors for all students and staff. Hate speech and behavior has a lasting and harmful impact on our community; therefore, we will vigorously seek to heal and educate in order to strengthen and diversify our next generation of leaders.
This procedure, and its accompanying policy, promote empathy and compassion while augmenting district compliance with local, state and federal laws concerning harassment, intimidation, bullying (Policy 3207 and Policy 3241) and discrimination (RCW 9A.36.080).
This procedure adds support and education specific to language and behaviors grounded in bias and hate targeting other individuals’ perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or mental, physical, or sensory ability. Hate speech and behaviors could include bullying, communications (verbal, visual, and more) and/or physical acts which target individuals or groups.
This procedure specifies actions for students. Actions for staff fall under policy and procedure 3210.
Language and behaviors directed at individuals or groups of people will be classified as hate speech or behavior when the words, behaviors, or gestures
- are used to intimidate, threaten, or otherwise interfere with another person’s wellbeing,
- have the effect of invading a student’s right to an education, and/or
- have the effect of materially disrupting classwork or creating substantial disorder of the school environment,
and are directed based on one’s perception of another person’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or mental, physical, or sensory disability.
The district administration’s role is to provide collaborative support, education, and coordination of effective and caring responses to bias incidents for students, staff and community events connected to our schools. The hate speech and behavior procedure and policy does not replace or supersede existing policies that also address harassment, intimidation, bullying, nondiscrimination, student conduct, and student discipline (Policies 3207, 3211, and 3241).
Retaliation against a target, reporter, or witness of hate speech and behavior is prohibited. Individuals who retaliate will be disciplined in accordance with the district’s procedures and employee guidelines (Policy and Procedure 3241).
A. Definitions
1. Hate speech and Hate Behavior is any form of expression through intended to vilify, humiliate or incite hatred against a person or group on the basis of race, religion, skin color, sexual identity, gender identity, ethnicity, disability or national origin. It includes, but is not limited to:
- Gestures or other actions historically connected racist ideas, such as white supremacist hand gestures; or
- Displaying, writing, or wearing items prohibited in Policy 3224 Student Dress. Additionally, we will refer to the Anti-Defamation League's Hate Symbols Database as a guide.
2. Harassment is severe or pervasive speech or behavior that creates a hostile, abusive, or offensive school environment for a student or group of students. Intentional behaviors that characterize harassment include, but are not limited to stalking, hazing, social exclusion, name calling, unwanted physical contact and unwelcome verbal or written comments, photographs and graphics. Harassment may be related, but not limited to, race, religion, sexual orientation, cultural background, economic status, or appearance. Harassing behaviors can be direct or indirect and by use of social media.
3. Bullying is defined as unwanted and threatening behaviors directed at individuals based on a perceived power differential. Bullying becomes harassment as frequency increases.
4. Interference with students’ education will be determined with consideration of grades, attendance, demeanor, interaction with peers, participation in activities, and other indicators assessed by administrators, counselors, and health professionals.
5. Retaliation occurs when an aggressor harasses, intimidates or bullies an individual who has or who the aggressor believes has reported incidents of hate speech or behavior, bullying, and/or harassment.
B. Notification and support protocol
1. Students, staff, and/or community members may notify the administration of hate speech or behavior, harassment, or bullying by using the online report form, calling the hotline (INSERT PHONE NUMBER), or reporting the incident to a staff member.
2. District administration will track and support the reports according to policy. Executive limitation 10 requires the superintendent or designee to track bias incidents in support of community education, reporting, and response.
C. Prevention
1. District staff should engage in annual hate-bias awareness and accountability education. Ongoing trainings should be offered throughout the year to district staff and administration.
2. Students and families may review the hate-biased language and behavior policy and procedure at the beginning of each year. Family members can access the policy and procedure in the annual student handbook and online.
3. Partnering organizations may receive the student handbook, along with information about the hate-biased language and behavior policy, the comprehensive reports, and the reporting mechanism at the start of each semester.
4. Teachers and district staff should inventory new and current curricula and supplemental materials for hate-bias annually.
D. Intervention
1. Staff interventions with students and other staff will follow the procedures of Policy 3241. In addition, interventions may include:
- Completing HIB Form (Policy 3207),
- Completing the online report form,
- Developing support plans for targets and education plans for aggressors,
- Collecting and analyzing data, and
- Developing trainings and learning opportunities.
2. The district will prioritize educational opportunities and restorative practices in alignment with Policy and Procedure 3241(P) to increase the sense of safety, accountability, and closure for our students and staff after hate speech and behavior incidents.
3. Actions may require collaboration with administrators and law enforcement, as appropriate. Off-campus hate speech and behavior that leads to negative impact in the educational environment may lead to investigation.
Cross References
Policy 3207 – Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
Policy 3210 – Nondiscrimination
Policy 3240 Student Conduct
Policy 3205 Sexual Harassment
Policy 2145 Suicide Prevention