We want all of our students to feel safe and supported. Harassment, bullying, hazing, and other forms of victimization are prohibited in the Iowa City Community School District. We take reports of this nature very seriously and want you to know we are here to help.

What Is Bullying?

Bullying is intentional, targeted & repeated behavior that is objectively offensive and causes substantial interference with a student’s education or physical safety. *Must be repeated and meet 1 or more of the criteria)

• Must result in harm or substantial interference with education.
• Behavior must be objectively offensive (behavior is widely recognizable as inappropriate or harmful, regardless of intent, even if the aggressor says it was a joke if a neutral adult would agree it’s harmful).

Harassment (Discriminatory) Any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student that is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student (such as race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc.) and that creates an objectively hostile school environment that: (meets 1 or more of the 4 criteria)

• Places the student in reasonable fear of harm;
• Has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health;
• Substantially interferes with academic performance; or
• Limits the student’s ability to participate in school activities.”