This school district seeks to promote a safe environment where students may participate in a variety of extracurricular activities without compromising their health, safety, or welfare. Membership in groups and other organizations sponsored by this district is intended to provide students with athletic, social, intellectual, leadership, and service opportunities to complement the academic program. The educational purpose of sponsoring such organizations is compromised by hazing activities of any nature, as such activities are harmful to students. Students and staff are prohibited from engaging in any hazing activity, on or off school premises.

DEFINITION

Hazing is defined as any act by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student as a condition of attaining membership, or any office or status, in connection with any district-sponsored group or organization, when such act is intended, or is reasonably expected to have the effect of humiliating, embarrassing, intimidating, or demeaning a student, or endangering the mental or physical health of a student. Hazing also includes soliciting, directing, aiding, or otherwise participating actively or passively in such acts. Hazing occurs regardless of the consent or willingness of a student to participate in the activity.

PROHIBITIONS

No student or staff member shall ever require, encourage, authorize or permit a student to be subjected to any of the following:

· Total or substantial nudity;

· Compelled ingestion of any substance;

· Wearing or carrying of any obscene or physically burdensome article;

· Physical assaults upon a student or offensive physical contact;

· Participation by a student in boxing matches, excessive number of calisthenics, or other physical contests;

· Transportation and abandonment;

· Confinement of a student to unreasonably small, unventilated, unsanitary, or unlighted areas;

· Sleep deprivation;

· Assignment of pranks to be performed by a student; or

· Any activity undertaken for the purpose of causing ridicule or humiliation of a student.

EXCEPTIONS

Hazing does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any group or organization. Also, the definition of hazing does not include corporal punishment administered in accordance with this district’s policies.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Preventing hazing is the responsibility of every student and staff member of this district. All staff members and students who become aware of hazing activities are required to immediately report such incidents to the building principal. The building principal, or designee, will investigate and determine whether hazing has occurred. If hazing has occurred, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the students and/or staff members involved. Additionally, any staff member or student who violates this policy will be referred to the local law enforcement agency for prosecution.

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LEGAL REFERENCE:

Idaho Code Sections:

18-917

33-512

ADOPTED: March 18, 2020

AMENDED: