Anti-Bullying and Cyberbullying Procedures

Excel Academy Charter School is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment free from physical, verbal, written, or electronic harassment, intimidation, and bullying. In compliance with California Education Code § 234.4 and AB 2291, Excel Academy strictly prohibits bullying and cyberbullying against any student, staff member, or community member across all instructional modes—including online platforms, virtual learning sessions, community events, and CCP locations.

1. Definition of Bullying & Cyberbullying (EC § 48900(r))

Bullying is any severe or pervasive physical, verbal, or electronic act or conduct directed toward one or more pupils that causes or can reasonably be predicted to cause:

• Fear of harm to person, property, or digital presence.

• Substantial detrimental effect on physical, mental, or emotional health.

• Substantial interference with academic performance, online engagement, or educational participation.

Non-Classroom-Based & Digital Context

At Excel Academy, "cyberbullying" and digital harassment are recognized as primary areas of concern. Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to:

• Transmitting unwanted, threatening, or offensive messages, texts, emails, or direct messages.

• Unauthorized posting, sharing, or modification of photos, videos, or personal information ("doxxing").

• Impersonating another student or staff member in virtual classrooms, chat rooms, discussion boards, or social media platforms.

• Exclusionary or harassing behavior occurring during virtual instruction, online tutoring, educational vendor sites, or school-sponsored virtual clubs.

Protected Characteristics: This policy protects all students against targeting based on actual or perceived characteristics under EC § 220: race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

2. Immediate Staff Intervention & Digital Monitoring

Pursuant to California law, any teacher, administrator, or staff member who witnesses or becomes aware of an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying (whether in-person, during a virtual session, or on a digital platform) must take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so.

In a non-classroom-based setting, intervention includes:

• Immediately removing harassing content or muting/removing disruptive individuals from virtual learning spaces.

• Documenting digital evidence (e.g., screenshots, chat logs, email threads).

• Alerting school administration and safety coordinators for prompt follow-up.

3. Reporting Procedures

Students, parents/guardians, educational partners, or community members may report incidents of bullying using any of the following channels:

Note: Reports may be made anonymously; however, formal disciplinary action cannot be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report without independent corroboration.

4. Investigation & Resolution Process

Step 1: Intake & Interim Protections (Within 2 Business Days)

Upon receiving a report, the administrator or designee will conduct a preliminary assessment. Interim safety measures may include adjusting virtual class schedules, reassigned online groups, or temporary restrictions on communication channels to protect the target.

Step 2: Investigation (Within 10 Business Days)

The investigator will interview involved parties (complainant, target, subject, witnesses) and review relevant physical or digital evidence (e.g., Learning Management System [LMS] logs, virtual meeting recordings, text messages, social media posts).

Step 3: Determination & Classification

• Discriminatory Bullying: If the conduct is based on a protected status (EC § 220), it will be processed under Excel Academy’s Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP).

• Non-Discriminatory Bullying: Resolved through administrative procedures, restorative practices, digital citizenship remediation, and progressive student discipline.

Step 4: Notice of Outcome

Parents/guardians of involved students will be notified of the completion and findings of the investigation in accordance with FERPA and California student privacy laws.

5. Support Services & Remediation

Excel Academy provides comprehensive support for targets, perpetrators, and witnesses:

• Social-Emotional & Mental Health Support: Virtual counseling referrals and access to school-based mental health professionals.

• Special Education & 504 Protections: If a student with an IEP or 504 Plan is involved in a bullying incident, an IEP/504 meeting will be convened to review accommodations, goals, and behavioral support plans.

• Restorative Practices & Digital Citizenship: Interventions focused on digital responsibility, empathy building, and restoring virtual community harm.

6. Staff Training & Prevention (AB 2291 & CSBA Best Practices)

In alignment with AB 2291, Excel Academy ensures that all certificated staff and employees who regularly interact with students receive annual training in bullying recognition, response, and suicide prevention.

Staff & Community Training Resources

• CDE Bullying Prevention Module: California Department of Education Training

• Keenan Bullying Recognition & Response: Annual training on identifying digital/physical roles, bystander intervention, and reporting duties.

• StopBullying.gov Training Course: Public health approach to long-term prevention.

• Common Sense Media: Cyberbullying Prevention Guide for Educators

7. Student, Parent & Community Resources

• Cyberbullying & Digital Safety:

  • Common Sense Media - Family Tech Resources (English & Spanish digital citizenship guides)

  • NetSmartz / NCMEC (Online safety and cyberbullying prevention materials)

• Special Needs & Civil Rights Protections:

  • PACER National Bullying Prevention Center (Includes specific resources for youth with disabilities and special health needs)

• Crisis & Mental Health Hotlines:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available 24/7)

  • The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Line): Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678

  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741