Bullying is the use of power by one or more students or by a member of the school staff including, but not limited to an educator, an administrator, school nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian, bus driver, athletic coach, advisor to an extracurricular activity, paraprofessional or other school staff over another to intentionally cause harm.  In addition, we recognize that certain students may be more vulnerable to becoming a target of bullying or harassment based on actual or perceived differentiating characteristics including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, socioeconomic status, homelessness, academic status, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, pregnant or parenting status, sexual orientation, mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one (1) or more of these characteristics.  There are many ways that bullying can manifest itself in wrongful conduct at school including, but is not limited to physical, verbal and psychological harm.  For participants and observers, bullying and harassment interfere with learning and healthy growth – both emotionally and academically.

Bullying, cyberbullying and retaliation are prohibited on school grounds, property immediately adjacent to school grounds, at school-sponsored or school-related activities, functions or programs (whether on or off school grounds), at bus stops, on school busses or other vehicles owned or operated by the Lowell Public Schools or their contractors or through the use of technology or electronic devices owned, leased or used by the school district.

Bullying, cyberbullying and retaliation are prohibited at any location, activity, function or program that is not school-related, or through the use of technology or electronic devices not owned, leased or used by the school district when the act creates a hostile environment at school for the target/victim or witness, infringes on the rights of the target/victim or witness at school or materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, witnesses or has reliable information about bullying is also prohibited.