Deer Park School District encourages you to use our Safe Schools Alert reporting system. To submit an incident or safety tip, click on one of the buttons below (if you are reporting an emergency, please call 911). Every tip is immediately logged in the district's Safe Schools Alert system and sent to the appropriate individuals so we can investigate and manage tips from submission to resolution.

Deer Park’s HIB policy (3207) and procedure (3207P) can be found in the district's policy manual:  Deer Park School District Policies & Procedures. Victims of harassment, intimidation, or bullying are encouraged to fill out the HIB Incident Reporting Form, submitting it to the building principal or to Deer Park’s HIB compliance office, Mr. David Bentler (464.5808).

In 2010 the Washington State Legislature passed Substitute House Bill 2801, a law prohibiting harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) in Washington’s schools. The law communicates our State’s strong stand against HIB behaviors in our schools. Every adult in Deer Park Schools takes HIB issues seriously and we work diligently with students to eradicate such behaviors in our schools; that said, as we all know, it’s a battle we must fight continuously.

OSPI’s School Safety Center has published the following:

RCW 28A.300.285 defines harassment, intimidation, and bullying as any intentionally written message or image—including those that are electronically transmitted—verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability or other distinguishing characteristics when an act:

• Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property.

• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education.

• Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment.

• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Bullying is repeated negative behavior toward a less powerful person or persons. Hitting, name-calling, shunning, and shaming are all forms of bullying. Spreading rumors, gossiping and making threats are also forms of bullying. For further information in cyberbullying, see Safety Center Internet Safety.

Bullying is an epidemic. It is rampant and widespread and the effects can be catastrophic. The statistics about bullying are as frustrating as they are staggering - they merit our consideration and they require action. Consider the following:

• One out of every five (20.2%) students report being bullied. (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019 )

• The reasons for being bullied reported most often by students include physical appearance, race/ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation. (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019)

• 41% of students who reported being bullied at school indicated that they think the bullying would happen again. (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019 )

• 46% of bullied students report notifying an adult at school about the incident. (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019)

• One in five (20.9%) tweens (9 to 12 years old) has been cyberbullied, cyberbullied others, or seen cyberbullying. (Patchin & Hinduja, 2020)

• Students who experience bullying are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school. (Centers for Disease Control, 2019)

• Bullied students indicate that bullying has a negative effect on how they feel about themselves (27%), their relationships with friends and family (19%), their school work (19%), and physical health (14%). (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019)l.

• Among students ages 12 – 18 who reported being bullied at school, 15% were bullied online or by text (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019)

• The percentages of individuals who have experienced cyberbullying at some point in their lifetimes have more than doubled (18% to 37%) from 2007-2019 (Patchin & Hinduia, 2019 )

• 57% of students share that they would not report an incident if they could not do it anonymously.