Bullying and Suicide Prevention

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY

If you or someone you know needs help, please know that you are not alone. Crisis lines, counselors, intervention programs, and more are available to you, whether you are in crisis yourself or concerned about someone else. Here are some numbers to call for supports:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 9-8-8, or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Crisis Line: 1-800-991-5272
Bullying Prevention and Response for Neurodiverse Students
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741
The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ Young People): 1-866-488-7386

Bullying

The Panama-Buena Vista Union School Board recognizes the harmful effects of bullying on student learning and school attendance and desires to provide safe school environments that protect students from physical and emotional harm. District employees shall establish student safety as a high priority and shall not tolerate bullying of any student. No individual or group shall, through physical, written, verbal, or other means, harass, sexually harass, threaten, intimidate, retaliate, cyberbully, cause bodily injury to, or commit hate violence against any student or school personnel. Review Board Policies on Bullying.

Bullying Prevention and Response for Neurodiverse Students

Child Abuse and Neglect

The Board of Trustees is committed to supporting the safety and well-being of district students and desires to facilitate the prevention of and response to child abuse and neglect. The Superintendent or designee shall develop and implement strategies for preventing, recognizing, and promptly reporting known or suspected child abuse and neglect. Review Board Policies on Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting.

Kern County Child Abuse Hotline: (661) 631-6011

Domestic Violence

Don't See What You Are Looking For? Call 2-1-1

Board Policy

SAY SOMETHING SANDY HOOK PROMISE

The national nonprofit, Sandy Hook Promise, developed the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS). The system allows youth and adults to securely submit anonymous safety concerns - anytime, from anywhere - to help identify and intervene upon at-risk individuals BEFORE they hurt themselves or others. The system enables school administrators and law enforcement to create effective interventions and to help prevent violence, suicide, bullying, self-harm and other forms of threatening behavior.

Sandy Hook Promise

Say Something Website

Parents can find more information about SS-ARS in this Parent Guide.

Three steps of Say Somethign Reporting system

McKinney Vento (Homeless)

Definitions

Homeless children and youth or students experiencing homelessness means students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (Education Code 48859; 42 USC Section 11434a). This definition also includes:

Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
Children who may be living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or shelters,
Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; or
Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are children who are living in similar circumstances listed above

Unaccompanied youth includes a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. (Education Code 48859; 42 USC 11434a)

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Subtitle B—Education for Homeless Children and Youth), reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act, ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. (42 United States Code [42 U.S.C.] Section 11434).

The district must ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness are able to participate fully in school activities and that barriers to identification, enrollment, and retention in school are removed. The district has policies and practices to ensure that homeless children and youths are not stigmatized or segregated. (Board Policy 6173).

Children and youth experiencing homelessness have the right to:

Immediate enrollment with full & equal opportunity to succeed in school.
Choice between neighborhood school or school of origin (school last enrolled in or attended), as is feasible.
Transportation to school of origin.
Immediate access to free school meals & educational services for which they are eligible.
Referrals to appropriate community support services.
Access to dispute resolution process.

For more information on resources through our district, visit our McKinney-Vento webpage.

Foster Youth

Who is eligible for Foster Youth Services?

Children and youth between the ages of 4 and 21 who are:

In out-of-home placement or living at home, and under court supervision (WIC 300).
Wards placed by the court in out-of-home care (WIC 602).
Supervised by your county under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICWA).
Under supervision of the tribal court (ICWA).

How does AB 490 support Foster Youth?

AB 490 requires that every school district appoint a foster youth liaison to protect the educational rights of wards and dependents, ensuring they are made aware of their right:

to remain at the school of origin.
to access to academic resources.
to timely transfer of grades and credits.
to immediate enrollment into school.

For more information on foster youth rights and supports, visit our Foster Youth Webpage.

Special Services

Our Special Education Services are designed to support students with diverse learning needs so they can access meaningful educational opportunities and make progress toward their individual goals.

We partner with families, educators, and specialists to ensure each student receives individualized support that promotes academic growth, independence, and overall well-being.

For more information on special education services, visit out Special Services webpage.

Know Your Rights

The Panama-Buena Vista Union School District is committed to the success and safety of all students. Our campuses are dedicated to creating a welcoming place for all students and their families regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.

District staff does not solicit or collect information or documentation regarding the citizenship or immigration status of students or their family members or provide assistance with immigration enforcement at district schools, except as may be required by state and federal law. (Education Code 234.7)

Unless authorized by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act pursuant to 20 USC 1232g, student information will not be disclosed to immigration law enforcement authorities without parental consent, a court order, or a judicial subpoena.

The Superintendent or designee will annually notify parents/guardians that the district will not release student information to third parties for immigration enforcement purposes unless the parent/guardian consents or as required to do so by a court order or judicial subpoena.

Upon receiving any verbal or written request for information related to a student's or family's immigration or citizenship status, district staff will:

Notify the Superintendent or designee about the information request
Provide students and families with appropriate notice and a description of the immigration officer's request
Document any request for information by immigration authorities
Provide students and parents/guardians with any documents provided by the immigration enforcement officer, unless such disclosure is prohibited by a subpoena served on the district or in cases involving investigations of child abuse, neglect, or dependency

Resources and data collected by the district will not be used, directly or by others, to compile a list, registry, or database of individuals based on national origin, immigration status, religion, or other category of individual characteristics protected against unlawful discrimination. (Government Code 8310.3)

Responding to the Detention or Deportation of Student's Family Member

We encourage families to update emergency contact information throughout the school year and to include alternative contacts, such as a trusted adult guardian, in case a parent/guardian is unavailable. Information on emergency cards will be used solely for emergency situations.

If a student’s parent/guardian is detained or deported, the Superintendent or designee will release the student to the individual(s) listed in the student’s emergency contact information or to a person presenting a valid caregiver’s authorization affidavit. Child protective services will be contacted only if district personnel are unable to arrange timely care through these designated contacts.

A student whose parent/guardian has been detained or deported will continue to meet residency requirements for district attendance, provided the parent/guardian was a California resident and the student lived in California immediately prior to leaving the state due to the parent/guardian’s departure, in accordance with Education Code 48204.4.

It is also encouraged for students to learn their emergency phone numbers and be aware of the location of important documentation, including birth certificates, passports, social security cards, physicians' contact information, medication lists, lists of allergies, and other such information that would allow the students and families to be prepared in the event that a family member is detained or deported.

FAQ: What families should know about AB 49 / Immigration-Enforcement Access & Student Privacy

What protections does AB 49 (and California law) provide to students and families?

Under California law (specifically Education Code § 234.7), school districts cannot collect information about a student’s or family’s citizenship or immigration status. Additionally, AB 49 — effective 2025 — requires that, to the extent practicable, school officials must deny access to non-public areas of a school (offices, classrooms, staff or record rooms, etc.) to immigration-enforcement officers unless those officers present a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order. Also, districts are prohibited from disclosing student or family records or personal data to immigration enforcement unless there is a valid legal order (or parent/guardian consent, where appropriate).

What happens if an immigration enforcement officer shows up at a school — with or without a warrant?

According to guidance from the California Department of Justice (DOJ):

School staff should ask to see the officer’s credentials (name, badge number) and documentation authorizing their presence (warrant, subpoena, court order). They should note or copy those documents.
If there is no valid warrant/subpoena/order (or exigent circumstances), staff must decline access to non-public areas (classrooms, offices, records rooms).
Staff should not physically block an officer (even if lacking authorization) but should document the officer’s presence and actions, and immediately notify district leadership or counsel.
If an officer enters or requests student access or records, the school must follow the legal order — but only disclose what is legally required, and consult legal counsel first.
Under SB 98, if a school confirms immigration enforcement is on campus, the school will send a notification to all families, staff, and students, stating the date/time and location of the enforcement presence, plus links to district policies and resources. The notification will never include names or personally identifiable information.

Will the school share information about my child or family with immigration authorities?

No. Except where required by a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order (or if parents/guardians provide written consent), the district will not voluntarily share student or family records, personal data, or immigration status or citizenship information. District policies following Board Policy 5145.13 (and related regulations) prohibit the creation of registries or databases based on nationality, immigration status, or similar characteristics.

Does immigration status affect my child’s right to attend school or access services?

What should the school do if immigration enforcement tries to access campus or student records?

School staff should:

Ask for valid credentials and legal documentation authorizing access.
Notify district leadership or designated legal counsel.
Document the officer’s name, agency, badge number, purpose, time of request, and any papers.
Refuse access to non-public areas or student records unless presented with a valid warrant/subpoena/order.
Only comply with legally required disclosures, after review by legal counsel.
Under SB 98, if a school confirms immigration enforcement is on campus, the school will send a notification to all families, staff, and students.

Districts following 5145.13 regulations also typically register all visitors (including enforcement) — requiring them to sign in, provide purpose, ID, and reason for entry.

What if a family member is detained or deported — how will the school protect the student?

What is the role of district policy, and how does it align with state law?

Many California districts adopt a policy like Board Policy 5145.13 — “Response to Immigration Enforcement” — which incorporates Education Code §234.7 and state guidance. These policies commit the district to:

Not collect immigration-status information.
Not assist immigration enforcement at schools beyond what is required by law.
Ensure nondiscrimination, equal access to education and safety for all students, regardless of immigration status.
Provide staff training, visitor registration, and clear protocols for enforcement-related requests.

Districts are required to review or update these policies (or adopt equivalent ones) to align with AB 49.

Are there ways families can get more information or support if there is enforcement activity near the school?

Yes. The district can — and many districts do — provide “Know Your Rights” resources, including multilingual materials, referrals to legal-aid organizations, and guidance for students/families on what to do if contacted by immigration enforcement. Families should also keep emergency contact information updated and consider listing alternate caregivers trusted to care for students in case a parent/guardian becomes unavailable.

Other

Emergency and Non-Emergency Contacts

Bark - Online Student Safety

Google Apps for Education