Bullying Prevention

Dear Parents and Community Members,

The new school year brings with it a new mission, vision, core values, strategic initiatives, and graduate profile to guide the district’s focus over the next five years. This new strategic plan – the Orange Unified EDGE - was created in a collaborative process that included staff, community members, parents, students, business partners, and service organizations. With a focus on Excellence in academics and leadership, Dedicated and engaged communication, Genuine wellness and safety, and Efficient utilization of fiscal capital, the Orange Unified EDGE was designed to propel Orange Unified’s academic programs, community outreach efforts, student and staff support systems, and efficiency to the next level.

Orange Unified EDGE’s Focus Area 3.0 - Genuine Wellness and Safety – recognizes that a safe and respectful environment is essential to student success. By knowing each student’s name, face and story, Orange Unified promotes a culture that nurtures the emotional health, safety, and well-being of students, staff, and parents. To support this endeavor, we created Strategic Initiative 3.4 to ensure systematic, district-wide implementation of the Orange Unified Bullying Prevention Handbook’s policies and practices.

While Orange Unified has always stood against all forms of bullying, harassment, and intimidation, we have not previously offered a handbook detailing our definition, policies, and procedures. I am proud of the work of the OUSD Kindness Matters Taskforce to bring this handbook to you, providing clarity of definition, process, and consequences that are enforced district-wide.

In partnership with our community, we will provide a safe, equitable, and innovative culture of learning for each scholar to have a competitive EDGE as a leader.


Regards,

Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools