The School District of Philadelphia strives to provide a safe and positive educational environment for all school community members, free from bullying, harassment, and discrimination in any form.
Bullying, Harassment and/or Discrimination
Complaints for students attending a Charter School are managed by the Charter Schools Office. Do not complete the online form. Contact the Charter Schools Office by calling 215-400-4090 or by emailing charters@philasd.org.
Important Terms and Phrases
An intentional electronic, written, verbal, nonverbal, psychological or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in and/or outside a school setting, that is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:
- Substantially interfering with a student’s education;
- Creating a threatening school environment; or
- Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Bullying is characterized by the following three (3) criteria:
- It is aggressive behavior or intentional harm doing.
- It is carried out repeatedly over time.
- It occurs between people where there is an imbalance of power (e.g. physical strength, mental capacity, popularity, or social skills).
The school-based staff person who receives reports of incidents of alleged bullying, conducts investigations, and determines whether an allegation is substantiated (or founded).
To treat individuals differently or to harass or victimize based on one or more known or perceived protected classifications including race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, English language proficiency, veteran status, disability, or other protected classification. A single incident of discrimination may implicate more than one protected class.
Verbal, nonverbal, written, graphic, virtual, or physical conduct relating to an individual’s known or perceived race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, English language proficiency, veteran status, disability, or other protected classification.
- Such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive; and
- A reasonable person in the complainant’s position would find that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment such that it deprives or adversely interferes with or limits an individual or group of the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school.
Conduct on the basis of sex, that satisfies one or more of the following:
- A District employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or District service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct, commonly referred to as quid pro quo sexual harassment;
- Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to a District education program or activity; or
- Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking
2021-2022 Bullying and Harassment Summary Report
The School District of Philadelphia is committed to maintaining schools that are spaces with inclusive climates and that support the social, emotional, and mental health of all students. Regardless of the outcome of an investigation, the school will support all students involved in the incident.
How to Report Bullying, Harassment and/or Discrimination
Any person, whether the alleged Complainant or not, may submit a complaint alleging bullying, harassment, or discrimination by any means that results in the Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written complaint including:
- Completing the online Bullying, Harassment/Discrimination Reporting form;
- Calling the Bullying/Harassment hotline at 215-400-SAFE;
- Submitting a complaint via Safe2Say;
- Emailing the Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator directly at antiharassment@philasd.org; or
- Reporting the incident to the building principal or designee, or to any other member of the school staff, including teachers, guidance counselors, bilingual counseling assistants (BCAs), coaches, and administrators.
A report may be made at any time, including during non-business hours. Complaints will be treated the same, regardless of whether they are made verbally or in writing.
District's Response to alleged Bullying, Harassment or Discrimination
- All complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination will be investigated.
- School based investigations will be completed within 7 school days and investigation outcomes will be shared with parents/guardians in writing.
- Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, schools will work to address any misconduct or safety concerns.
- Parents/Guardians have the right to appeal bullying and harassment determinations (link to Appeal Procedures and Form)
Retaliation is prohibited and should be reported to the Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator at antiharassment@philasd.org.
- Policy 248: Harassment and Discrimination of Students
- Policy 249: Bullying and Cyberbullying
- Administrative Procedure A: Policy 248 & 249
- Policy 234: Pregnant/Parenting/Married Students
- Policy 252: Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students
Related Information:
- Policy 824: Maintaining Professional Adult/Student Boundaries
- Policy 102: Multiracial/Multicultural/Gender education
- Policy 103: Non Discrimination in School and Classroom Practices
- Notice of Non-Discrimination
- Policy 348: Harassment and Discrimination of Employees
- Administrative Procedures A for Policy 348
- Administrative Procedures B for Policy 348
- Code of Conduct
- Appeals
Contact Information
Concerns or inquiries regarding sex discrimination, harassment, or retaliation can be made to the School District’s Title IX Coordinators or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Inquiries related to students:
- Andrea Prince, Title IX Coordinator
- Email: aprince@philasd.org
- Phone Number: 215-400-4830
Inquiries related to employees:
- Michelle Chapman, Title IX Co-Coordinator
- Email: mrchapman@philasd.org
- Phone Number: 215-400-4600
Inquiries related to athletics:
- Email: athletics@philasd.org or
- Contact the TItle IX Coordinator