Appendix B: Archdiocese of Baltimore Harassment Policy – Schools

I.	Policy
	It is the policy of the Archdiocese to prohibit discrimination, including harassment on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability or handicap or protected activity, (i.e. opposition to prohibited discrimination or participation in the complaint process) in its education programs and activities. Each Catholic school shall adhere to this policy with respect to students. (Employees are similarly protected from harassment by a separate Archdiocesan policy.)
II.	Scope
	This Policy applies to all students in Archdiocesan elementary, middle and secondary schools. The Archdiocese neither condones nor tolerates harassment of students at school, school-related activities or functions, or in any school-related setting. Harassment of students, whether engaged in by other students, teachers, administrators, or others, is prohibited. Violation of this Policy is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or suspension or expulsion from school, depending on the nature and severity of the offense and the individual’s disciplinary record.
III.	Prohibited Conduct
	For purposes of this Policy, “harassment” means verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of his or her race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability or handicap, or protected activity, that: Has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment; Has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance; or Otherwise adversely affects an individual’s educational opportunities. Harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to, epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, handicap or disability. “Sexual” harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for educational decisions or has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

This policy should be included in each school’s Student/Parent Handbook

Appendix B: Archdiocese of Baltimore Harassment Policy – Schools

Child & Youth Protection