Windsor Unified School District

The Windsor Unified School District’s Board Policy on suicide prevention is outlined in Policy and Regulation 5141.52.

Key Provisions of Board Policy 5141.52: Suicide Prevention include:

1. Purpose: The Governing Board acknowledges suicide as a leading cause of youth death and mandates proactive measures for prevention, intervention, and postvention to reduce risk and support students and families.
    
2. Development of Strategies: The Superintendent or designee may collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders—including health professionals, staff, students, and community organizations—to design districtwide measures.
    
3. Required Components:
    
   • Staff development on suicide awareness and prevention for teachers and employees who interact with students.
      
   • Student instruction on coping skills, emotional well-being, and recognizing suicidal warning signs.
      
   • Promotion of a positive school climate fostering connectedness, care, and respectful relationships.
      
   • Parent/guardian education on suicide risk factors, warning signs, and resources.
      
   • Crisis intervention procedures for handling suicide threats or attempts.
      
   • Postvention strategies for supporting the school community after a suicide.
      
4. Focus on High-Risk Groups: The policy emphasizes attention to students at higher risk, including those bereaved by suicide, with disabilities or mental illness, experiencing homelessness or foster care, and LGBTQ+ youth, in compliance with Education Code 215.
    
5. Policy Review: The Board must review and, if necessary, update this policy at least every five years.
    

Regulation 5141.52: Implementation Details

• Student ID Cards: Must include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, and optionally the Crisis Text Line or a local hotline, per Education Code 215.5.
   
• Training Requirements: Suicide prevention training must be provided to staff interacting with students, directed by district mental health professionals or in collaboration with outside agencies. The policy mandates age-appropriate instruction and staff training tailored to each grade span, ensuring that prevention efforts are developmentally appropriate across K–12.
   
• Content of Training includes:
   
  • Risk factors (e.g., trauma, mental illness, LGBTQ+ identity).
     
  • Protective factors (e.g., resiliency, connectedness).
     
  • Warning signs and appropriate staff responses.
     
  • How and when to refer students to mental health services.
     
  • District procedures for post-suicide responses.
     

These policies and regulations align with California state law and reflect the district’s commitment to safeguarding student mental health and well-being.Windsor Unified complies with this mandate by implementing prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies for all students, including those in elementary, middle, and high school.
 

Our Title IX & Uniform Complaint Procedures page features all relevant policy, plus forms and contact information for our coordinator. 

Windsor Unified School District’s written policy on sexual harassment, as required under Education Code § 231.5, is comprehensively addressed in Board Policy (BP) 5145.7, Administrative Regulation (AR) 5145.7, and AR 5145.71 (Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures).

Key Provisions of WUSD's Sexual Harassment Policy (BP/AR 5145.7)

1. Definition of Sexual Harassment (EC § 212.5; 5 CCR § 4916)

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other unwanted verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature under circumstances such as:

• It being a condition of a student’s academic status.
   
• It affecting academic decisions.
   
• It creating a hostile or offensive educational environment.
   
• It limiting access to school programs, services, or activities.
   

2. Notification and Distribution Requirements (EC § 231.5 and § 231.6)

The policy and procedures must:

• Be included in the annual parent/guardian notification (EC § 48980).
   
• Be posted in a prominent location at each school site.
   
• Be included in student handbooks, and orientation materials.
   
• Be summarized on posters displayed in bathrooms and locker rooms.
   
• Appear in all district publications outlining rules and standards of conduct.
   
• Be posted online with contact details for the Title IX Coordinator.
   

3. Complaint Procedures

• Students or guardians can report sexual harassment to the Title IX Coordinator or any school employee, who must forward the complaint within one day.
   
• Complaints meeting the Title IX definition of sexual harassment are addressed under AR 5145.71.
   
• Other complaints are processed using AR 1312.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures.
   

4. Disciplinary Actions

• Students found responsible may be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion for grades 4–12.
   
• Employees found to have engaged in sexual harassment toward students may face termination, in accordance with applicable laws and contracts.
   

5. Supportive Measures

The Title IX Coordinator must offer and document supportive measures to both complainants and respondents during the investigation process.

These policies align with both California Education Code and federal Title IX regulations, fulfilling the legal requirement under EC § 231.5 for a clearly written and widely disseminated policy on sexual harassment as it pertains to pupils.

Windsor Unified School District has adopted a policy that aligns with Education Code § 233 regarding the prevention of and response to hate violence. This is codified primarily in Board Policy 5145.9: Hate-Motivated Behavior.

Key Provisions:

1. Definition and Scope

Hate violence is defined in the district policy as including acts that are motivated by hostility toward a person's:

• Race or ethnicity
   
• National origin or immigrant status
   
• Sex, gender, or sexual orientation
   
• Religious belief
   
• Age or disability
   
• Or any other actual or perceived characteristic.
   

Such acts may include physical assault, threats, property damage, or interference with civil rights, as described in Education Code 233 and Penal Code 422.6, 422.7, and 422.75.

2. Prevention Strategies

The Superintendent or designee is tasked with:

• Designing strategies to promote harmonious student relationships.
   
• Preventing incidents of hate-motivated behavior.
   
• Collaborating with regional programs and community organizations to promote safe environments and effective response plans.
   

3. Instruction and Curriculum

The district provides age-appropriate instruction that fosters:

• Social-emotional learning,
   
• Respect for diversity and human rights,
   
• Conflict resolution skills.
   

4. Support Services

The district offers counseling and guidance to:

• Students who are victims of hate-motivated behavior,
   
• Students who engage in such behavior.
   

5. Reporting and Complaint Process

• Students and parents are encouraged to report hate-motivated behavior.
   
• All staff are mandated to report observed or known incidents to administration or the district compliance officer.
   
• Incidents are investigated under AR 1312.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures, if determined to be discriminatory in nature.
   

6. Discipline

Students in grades 4–12 who are found to have participated in hate violence may face suspension or expulsion, pursuant to Education Code § 48900.3.

This comprehensive policy framework reflects the district’s legal obligation under Section 233 and reinforces its commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful educational environment.

Windsor Unified School District's anti-cyberbullying policies, in compliance with Education Code § 234.4, are primarily set forth in Board Policy 5131.2: Bullying and supported by related policies and procedures.

Key Provisions of Anti-Cyberbullying Policies:

1. Definition of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is defined as:

“The electronic creation or transmission of harassing communications, direct threats, or other harmful texts, sounds, or images. It also includes impersonation by breaking into another person's account to harm their reputation.”
— Based on Education Code § 48900.

2. Prohibition and Scope

• Students are explicitly prohibited from using district technology resources to engage in cyberbullying.
   
• Cyberbullying that occurs off-campus and affects school activity or attendance is also covered.
   

3. Prevention and Response Measures

• Staff are required to intervene when cyberbullying is observed or reported.
   
• Students and parents are encouraged to report incidents and retain digital evidence.
   
• When cyberbullying occurs on a social networking site, the district may request that the site suspend the user's privileges and remove the offending content.
   

4. Disciplinary Actions

Violations may result in:

• Counseling or behavioral intervention
   
• Suspension or expulsion for severe or pervasive behavior, as authorized by Education Code § 48900 and the district’s discipline policies.
   

5. Complaint and Investigation Procedures

• Reports are handled in accordance with AR 1312.3: Uniform Complaint Procedures.
   
• Principals or compliance officers must respond within two business days and inform affected students of their right to file a formal written complaint.
   

6. Integration into Broader Safety Plans

The district includes cyberbullying prevention strategies in:

• The Comprehensive Safety Plan (BP 0450)
   
• The Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)
   
• Instructional efforts related to digital citizenship and respectful online behavior.
   

These policies ensure that Windsor USD satisfies the requirements of EC § 234.4, establishing procedures to prevent and address cyberbullying in both digital and school environments.

Windsor Unified School District addresses social media bullying in detail through its Board Policy 5131.2 – Bullying, as well as in related technology and discipline policies, consistent with the intent of Education Code § 48900 and the criteria you listed.

Key Provisions Covering Social Media Bullying

1. Definition of “Electronic Act” and Cyberbullying Forums

The district explicitly defines cyberbullying as including the use of:

• Internet websites with free registration and ease of registration
   
• Peer-to-peer instant messaging services
   
• Comment forums or sections
   
• Image or video posting platforms
   

This is captured under the term “electronic act,” which is defined as:

"...the creation or transmission of a communication originated on or off school site, including, but not limited to, a message, text, sound, image, or post on a social network Internet web site... including but not limited to the posting or creation of a burn page or a credible impersonation or false profile..."
(Education Code § 48900(r)).

2. Forms of Cyberbullying Covered

The district policy includes:

• Harassing communications
   
• Direct threats
   
• Socially cruel, intimidating, terrorizing, or otherwise harmful texts or images
   
• Hacking into another’s account to impersonate and harm them.
   

3. Preventive Measures

Students are prohibited from using district technology resources to engage in cyberbullying. The District’s Responsible Use Agreement applies to all digital behavior, including use of social media, regardless of device ownership.

4. Staff and Student Responsibilities

• Students must not reveal personal or others' information online.
   
• Staff and students are expected to adhere to privacy, copyright, and content standards.
   
• Any social media accounts representing schools or programs must be pre-approved and monitored.
   

5. Enforcement and Consequences

• Violations may lead to suspension, expulsion, or legal consequences.
   
• The Superintendent may request that content be removed and privileges suspended on the offending social platform.
   

Windsor USD’s policies demonstrate clear alignment with Education Code § 48900 and § 234.4 by naming specific online venues, establishing expectations for digital conduct, and implementing a robust response system to incidents of social media bullying.

The UC/CSU Collaborative for Neurodiversity & Learning.

Definition of Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex (per EC § 230)

This includes conduct such as:

• Denying or limiting student access to educational programs or activities based on sex.
   
• Sexually harassing a pupil or employee.
   
• Discrimination based on actual or perceived sex, gender identity, or gender expression.
   

Student Rights Under EC § 221.8

These rights must be clearly posted by the district and include (but are not limited to):

• Equal opportunities in academic and extracurricular programs, including athletics.
   
• Access to facilities and programs without sex-based discrimination.
   
• Protection from sexual harassment and procedures for reporting violations.
   

District Policy Requirements

• Publicly post these definitions and rights in prominent locations including the district website and school campuses.
   
• Include this information in student handbooks and orientation materials.
   
• Clearly identify Title IX coordinators and complaint procedures across multiple platforms, including websites and social media.
   

For further reference, the district’s nondiscrimination and harassment policies are found in:

• BP/AR 5145.3 – Nondiscrimination/Harassment
   
• BP/AR 5145.7 and 5145.71 – Sexual Harassment and Title IX Procedures
   
• AR 1312.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures
   

These policies ensure compliance with state and federal mandates and affirm the district’s responsibility to provide a safe, equitable educational environment.

Windsor Unified School District complies with Education Code § 234.1 through a comprehensive set of anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, anti-intimidation, and anti-bullying policies, which are articulated in the following policies and regulations:

1. BP/AR 5145.3 – Nondiscrimination/Harassment

This policy prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on characteristics such as:

• Race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, disability, and more.
   

It designates a compliance officer to handle complaints and ensures staff training and student education on rights and responsibilities. Incidents are addressed through Uniform Complaint Procedures (AR 1312.3).

2. BP/AR 5145.7 – Sexual Harassment

Protects students from sexual harassment, defines conduct that qualifies as harassment under both California Education Code and Title IX, and provides clear reporting and investigative procedures.

3. BP 5131.2 – Bullying

Defines and prohibits bullying—including physical, verbal, written, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, retaliation, and hate violence. The district commits to creating a safe and supportive environment for all students.