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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, March 6 App Finder: Nice nutrition apps Arkansas man arrested for robbery in Medford A chance to 'feel normal' Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 6 Arkansas man arrested for robbery in Medford Convicted rapist gets life without parole Learn to protect yourself in free class on identity theft Emergency services Politics and Elections Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Education Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Ashland district rethinks transfer approval process MSD to save taxpayers nearly $10.5 million by refinancing Medford schools superintendent gets high marks St. Mary's robotics team qualifies for state competition Environment Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade State News Eastern Oregon dig uncovers ancient stone tool Team tracks new baby orca Motor-voter bill sent to Gov. Brown Mother blames deputies, stun guns for son's death Officials: High court ruling won't affect Oregon health care Nation - World Obituaries Robert Lee Bennett Paul Orvil Fallgreen Earl Dean King Gary Taylor Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Blazers downs Mavericks but lose guard Matthews No. 5 Arizona steamrolls Cal, 99-60 Moore is better for Bulls Rothfus leads St. Mary's into state semifinals Manning reworks deal, will be back for Broncs Varsity 541 College Sports No. 5 Arizona steamrolls Cal, 99-60 SOU distance relay qualifies for NAIA finals Cougars hold off Ducks in tournament One step at a time Ducks have edge in Civil War victory Pro Sports Blazers downs Mavericks but lose guard Matthews Moore is better for Bulls Manning reworks deal, will be back for Broncs Holmes opens four-shot lead at WGC MLS ready to kick off its 20th season Community Sports Business Latest Stories New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Harry & David announces new president Ride & Drive: 2015 Chrysler 300 Local businesses still feeling effects of port slowdown Real Estate News New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Cheers and Jeers Letters to the Editor, March 6 Michael Gerson: Negotiating from weakness Arthur I. Cyr: Brutal murders in Russia a reminder and challenge Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Editorials Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Our View: Small climate steps add up to big ones Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government Other Views: Brown's list of challenges is lengthy Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 6 Letters to the Editor, March 5 Letters to the Editor, March 4 Letters to the Editor, March 3 Letters to the Editor, March 2 Columns Michael Gerson: Negotiating from weakness George Will: Stopping the IRS Dana Milbank: Netanyahu's fighting words Kathleen Parker: The GOP — A tragedy in 52 acts Michael Gerson: Scott Walker's cynical comments on faith Guest Opinions GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Lifestyle Latest stories Fishing Report: Friday, March 6 Looking Up: Fiery red Betelgeuse shines bright Biologists and politicians taking turns with trout Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break Columbia boaters face new distress rules Food Page Onorato: Please don’t take my Goo Goo Clusters away Season Stepp: Celebrate Pi Day with these tasty pie recipes Tammy Kelly: Bring back the potatoes Pantry pride Tips for a Pacific Northwest crab feed Home and Garden Dear Monty: Home seller seeks to start bidding war Paul Rogers: Looking for signs of new life Home Help: Enhance your home-office experience Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Dear Monty: Home seller questions agent ethics Health Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Community blog: How I Became Radical: The Power of Acceptance Community blog: The Guest List: Check! Health Watch: Sticking to your health plan when your family isn’t helping Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs (No heading) Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Live Music in Local Clubs Alice DiMicele plays the Unitarian Fellowship Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble to present 'All American' Theater TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment 'She Stoops' rises on SOU stage Music Live Music in Local Clubs Alice DiMicele plays the Unitarian Fellowship Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars The Farr Side: Another career highlight for Kelly Clarkson Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble to present 'All American' Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Dining Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Biologists and politicians taking turns with trout ... Columbia boaters face new distress rules ... Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Biologists and politicians taking turns with trout ... Columbia boaters face new distress rules ... EDUCATION Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low District learns why anti-bullying rating was low By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 5, 2015 @ 5:49 pm By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 5, 2015 @ 5:49 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> When the Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition’s annual report for the second year in a row gave the Ashland School District the lowest rating possible, a bronze star, it did not go unnoticed by district officials. In a community that prides itself on its progressive practices, including a decision by the high school’s leadership last fall to abandon the traditional homecoming king and queen format in favor of a gender-neutral homecoming court, the subpar grade seemed “curious” to school board chairman Jim Westrick. Besides, explained Westrick, ASD meets all of the criteria to receive a gold-star rating, and anybody with five spare minutes and a smartphone can view the proof on the district’s “policies and regulations” Web page. “I absolutely think we deserve the gold star, the platinum star, the pulsar,” Westrick said. So director of student services Samuel Bogdanove contacted the OSSCC tofind out what happened, and what the district needed to do to receive a gold star next year. After further review, it turns out Westrick and the Safe Schools group both are right. The Ashland School District does have policies in place to meet the gold standard, but it’s the spliced way in which those policies appear online that ultimately cost the district a higher rating, Bogdanove says. A Portland-based nonprofit, OSSCC works in collaboration with the Q Center, the Oregon School Boards Association, the Pride Foundation and 18 other public and private agencies to examine each school district’s policies regarding harassment, intimidation, bullying and cyberbullying. According to the third annual State of the Safe Schools Act report, released two weeks ago and available at oregonsafeschools.org, the project “looks beyond whether entire districts are formally in compliance with the law and instead digs into the spirit of the Safe Schools Act — why it was established in the first place.” In Ashland’s case, the investigation showed that while the district has up-to-date policies, the format through which those policies are disseminated to the general public are lacking. Bogdanove talked with Q Center safe schools and training institute manager Neola Young, who helped write the report, last Friday. Bogdanove said Young made some valid points and that the district has some work to do to reach gold status before the OSSCC begins examining the district for next year’s report. “(Young) said they go from the perspective of, if I was a student or parent of one of these classes,” Bogdanove said. “While we’re legally compliant, we should have another piece of language in the bullying policy.” Indeed, the district has detailed policies that can be viewed online at Ashland.k12.or.us that cover everything the OSSCC looks for, filed under “nondiscrimination,” “equal educational opportunity” and “hazing/harassment/intimidation/bullying/menacing/cyberbullying/teen dating.” What does OSSCC consider gold-star material? According to the report, a top-tier district is one in which its “governance documents regarding harassment, intimidation, bullying, dating violence and cyberbullying are substantially compliant with current Oregon statutes and expressly reference gender identity and gender expression as protected classes.” In Ashland, the nondiscrimination policy, last revised in 2010, states that the district “shall promote nondiscrimination and an environment free of harassment based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status or age or because of the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or age of any other persons with whom the individual associates.” It includes a notation tied to sexual orientation that defines the term as “an individual’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or gender identity, regardless of whether the individual’s gender identity, appearance, expression or behavior differs from that traditionally associated with the individual’s sex at birth.” The district’s bullying and harassment policy, last revised in 2013, states that the board is committed to providing a positive, safe and productive learning and working environment and that “hazing, harassment, intimidation, menacing, bullying including cyberbullying or teen dating violence by students, staff or third parties is strictly prohibited and shall not be tolerated by the district.” So the policies required by the state are all in place, but Young advised the district to include the breakdown of protected classes to the bullying policy, as well. Young also suggested the district consider updating the website and parent handbook to “better inform victims of bullying and harassment about available counseling through the school and the reporting process at the district level,” and take a closer look at administrative regulations. “We’ll review (Young’s suggestions) with administrative folks,” Bogdanove said. “Our goal is to serve the kids and the families, so if there’s a way we can do that better, I’m always going to look at it.” ASD superintendent Jay Hummel agrees. “We actually are awfully good in that particular area when it comes to results,” Hummel said. “But I think in our regular policy review, that’s something we’ll always want to be taking a look at.” Joe Zavala can be reached at 541-776-4469 or [email protected]. By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 5, 2015 @ 5:49 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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