Freedom from harassment based on gender identity and gender expression were added to the San Mateo County Office of Education anti-harassment policy as part of the county’s work to keep up to date with state and local anti-bullying efforts.
Back in July, the state passed Assembly Bill 1266, which required public K-12 schools to let transgender students choose which restrooms they use and which school teams they join based on their gender identity. Ted Lempert, president of the San Mateo County Board of Education, said the Office of Education is continuing to try to update its policy to track with the state law. The Board of Education is made up of elected officials who oversee the Office of Education, which is run by the county superintendent.
The policy now states “all students, staff and parents/guardians [are] free from harassment or any activity that degrades the unique qualities of an individual, such as race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, age, culture, heritage, sexuality, physical/mental/intellectual attributes or religious beliefs and practices,” according to a staff report.
“There’s been a lot of focus on the issue locally,” Lempert said. “Kids should not be bullied for any reason and we’re keeping up to date with numerous reasons kids are bullied.”
This is also part of a larger effort on the county’s part to combat bullying. In April 2012, the Office of Education, along with 17th District Parent Teacher Association and Community Gatepath, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities in San Mateo County, launched RESPECT 24/7!, a two-year initiative that supports safe, respectful environments for all San Mateo County students, their families and communities. The county even dedicated October as RESPECT 24/7! anti-bullying month. Nancy Magee, administrator for board support and community relations at San Mateo County Office of Education, said the county has moved beyond a two-year model and is making anti-bullying a core part of its work.
Online cyberbullying is also prohibited as part of the Office of Education’s policy and it goes on to state the board “expects students and employees to conduct themselves in keeping with their levels of development, maturity and demonstrated capabilities with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students and school staff,” according to the staff report. The board authorizes the staff to discipline students involved in bullying or harassment cases with counseling, suspensions and recommendation for expulsion as allowed by California Education Code, it states.
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Trustee Jim Cannon said bullying is a problem with which the county needs to deal and it’s a great thing it is taking action.
“We’re on a new frontier on cooperation between county health, justice and education organizations,” he said. “Everyone is so busy, but the leadership in the county is working hard.”
The Office of Education will host a policy symposium 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 9 concerning state’s FAIR Education Act, which asks for the inclusion of the political, economic and social contributions of people with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into educational textbooks and the social studies curriculum in public schools by amending the California Education Code. It also revises the previous designation of black Americans, American Indians, Mexicans, Asians and Pacific Island people in that list into Native Americans, African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Asian-Americans, Pacific Islanders and European-Americans. The event takes place at the Office of Education’s office at 101 Twin Dolphin Drive in Redwood City.
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