Reviewing Bullying & Harassment Policies -Procedures Nuts and Bolts August 2012

1. Reviewing Bullying & Harassment Policies -Procedures Nuts and Bolts August 2012 Presented by: Lisa Vargas-Sinapi Andre Thibeault Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

2. Goals of this Presentation • Participants will gain a greater understanding of the Providence’s Guidelines and Procedures for the Implementation of the Bullying & Harassment Policy and Procedures. • Participants will review the revised process of reporting, investigating, and responding to complaints of these behaviors. • Review the new RIGL 16-21-34, the Rhode Island Statewide Bullying Policy and its expectations for implementation. Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

3. Bullying, Harassment, Dating/Sexual ViolenceGuidelines and Procedures for Students • Folder Contents • Copy of power point presentation • Copy of the new proposed draft Bullying / Harassment Policy • Copy of the revised reporting form • Copy of the revised investigation form • Copy of the Respond, Investigate, Take Action RITA Checklist Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

4. Timeline Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

5. Timeline Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

6. Timeline Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

7. Staff Roles and Responsibilities • District IX/ Equity Officer (DEO) – Andre Thibeault • Responsible at District Level for all reports of these behaviors; • Ensure all incidents are properly tracked, investigated, and completed appropriately and within required timeframe; • Compile District and school based data for purposes of reporting to Superintendent/School Board; • Developing prevention and training programs. • School Based Equity Coordinator (SEC) • Assigned by the school administrator; • Receive and review all incidents complaints; • Ensure all complaints are appropriately investigated and completed within established timelines; • Ensure a safety plans is developed and implemented to protect targets. Send Andre Thibeault (DEO) the name of your School Based Equity Coordinator by September 30th Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

8. Report, Investigate, Take Action (RITA) Report • Each member of school community is responsible for reporting any observations, knowledge or suspicion of identified behaviors Incident Complaint Reporting Form (ICRF) Investigate • School Based Equity Coordinator/Principal coordinates investigations INCIDENT INVESTIGATION FORM (IIF) Consequences/Supports and Interventions • Reasonable timely age-appropriate corrective action • Range from positive behavioral supports up to including suspension or exclusion Safety Plan Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

9. What has changed on the Reporting/Investigation Form Place an X next to the statement(s) that you believe best describe what happened (choose all that apply) Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

10. RIGL 16-21-34RI Statewide Bullying Policy • http://sos.ri.gov/documents/archives/regdocs/released/pdf/DOE/6774.pdf • http://www.thriveri.org/documents/RISafeSchoolsAct_StatewideBullyingPolicy.pdf • Purpose: To ensure a consistent and unified statewide approach of bullying at school. Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

11. Summary of new RI Statewide Bullying Policy • Applies to all schools in RI • Clear policy guideline on oversight & responsibility • Principal is responsible for the implementation & oversight. • Part of School District strategic plan and school safety plan. • Communication of information • Distributed annually to students, staff, school community • Included in codes of conduct, disciplinary policies, and student handbook • Prominently posted line District/School Website Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

12. Summary of new RI Statewide Bullying Policy • Clear requirement and procedures for students, parents and school community to report bullying, retaliation, and anonymous reporting. • Investigation/Response: • Prompt investigation of allegations. • Mandates immediate interventions/safety plan in serious situations. • Social Networking • Students prohibited from accessing social networking sites except for educational/instructional purposes Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

13. Summary of new RI Statewide Bullying Policy • Definitions • Scope – portal/portal • Reporting of incident • School Climate All reports / investigation findings sent to District- wide Title 9/Equity Coordinator!!!!! Summary report of incidents, responses to Superintendent & School Board Office of Special Populations Providence School Department

14. Questions / Contact Information Lisa Vargas-Sinapi - Lisa.Vargas-Sinapi@ppsd.org 456-9137 (Ext. 3001) Office of Special Education Andre Thibeault – Director of Operations / District IX/Equity Officer Andre.Thibeault@ppsd.org “You must be the change You want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi Please do your part to make your school the safe and caring place that it should be! Office of Special Populations Providence School Department