Bullying includes, but is not limited to, a written, oral, or electronic expression, physical act or gesture, or any combination of these, directed at one or more students, that: 

1. Causes physical or emotional harm to the victim or damage to the victim’s property; 
2. Places the victim in reasonable fear of harm or of damage to the victim’s property; 
3. Creates an intimidating or hostile educational environment for the victim; 
   or
4. Interferes with the victim’s academic performance or ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the school. 

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

A. Repeated or pervasive taunting, name-calling, belittling, mocking, put-downs, or demeaning humor; 

B. Behavior that is intended to harm someone by damaging or manipulating his or her relationships with others, including, but not limited to, gossip, spreading rumors, and social exclusion; 

C. Non-verbal threats and/or intimidations, such as the use of aggressive, menacing, or disrespectful gestures;

 D. Threats of harm to a student, to his/her possessions, or to other individuals, whether transmitted verbally or in writing; 

E. Blackmail, extortion, demands for protection money, involuntary loans or donations; 

F. Blocking access to school property or facilities that the student otherwise would have access to; 

G. Stealing or hiding books, backpacks, or other possessions; 

H. Stalking; and

I. Physical contact or injury to another person or his/her property. 

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, or personal digital assistant. The district’s policy applies to bullying that takes place at school or on school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity or event, or while students are being transported to or from school or school-sponsored activities or events. It also applies to bullying that occurs at any other time or place that substantially disrupts the instructional program, operations of the school, or welfare of students. Refer to School Board Policy JICK. Any student who has been bullied should report such an occurrence immediately to an administrator. Another available resource is the School District’s Title IX Officer, Barbara Stoddard, Dir. Human Resources, 842-5331, stoddb@portlandschools.org.