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Understanding CT Public Act 11-232: An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws

Understanding CT Public Act 11-232: An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws. Presented by Kathy Boettner, Assistant Principal Safe School Climate Specialist Newtown Middle School February 2, 2012. Fixing the Problem Bullying Prevention. Creating the Climate

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Understanding CT Public Act 11-232: An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws

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  1. Understanding CT Public Act 11-232:An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws Presented by Kathy Boettner, Assistant Principal Safe School Climate Specialist Newtown Middle School February 2, 2012

  2. Fixing the Problem Bullying Prevention Creating the Climate Improving School Climate Pivotal Shift

  3. “Bully” and “BULLYING” are OUT!!! “Mean” is a better term/concept • No one knows what “bullying” looks, feels, sounds like. -We miss what is right under our noses. • Everyone knows what “mean”looks, feels, sounds like. • If “mean” is the standard, then we are much more likely to help make it safer. • “If it’s mean…intervene!”

  4. Theoretical Framework… Individual Environment Intervention Development

  5. Newtown Initiatives… Individual Environment RtI/SRBI Intervention PBIS Safe School Climate Plan Development Responsive Classroom

  6. Culture, society, norms community family self Bronfenbrenner (1997)

  7. Climate: It’s All About the • Qualityof Relationships • Defined as…how well the people within the • school / workplace treat each other • Physically • Emotionally • Intellectually

  8. Levels of School Climate • Personal (one to one interactions) • Classroom(tends to have the most positive climate) • School(tends to have the least positive climate) • Community(tends not to have enough systemic focus)

  9. Public Act 11-232 Summary… • NEW and expanded definition of BULLYING. • Defines cyberbullying. • On and Off School Grounds require school investigation.

  10. Public Act 11-232 Summary… • ALL District “employees” become mandated reporters. • Oral report of incident within 1 day; Written report within 2 days to the Safe School Climate Specialist. • Within 48 hours, upon completion of the investigation, parents must be notified. • NEW positions required: • Safe School Climate Specialist in each school • Safe School Climate Coordinator for the district • Effective July 1, 2012 and every two years, a K-12 safe school climate survey is required with results sent to the CSDE.

  11. Public Act 11-232 Summary… • Every school district is required to submit a Safe School Climate Plan by January 1, 2012 and to post it on district and school websites within 30 days of BOE approval. • Parents and students must be notified annually of the procedure for reporting acts of bullying. • At the beginning of each school year, each school must provide all school employees with a written or electronic copy of the school district's Safe School Climate Plan.

  12. Public Act 11-232 Summary… • The statute provides for immunity from damage claims for school districts, local BOE, district employees, parents and students who report and or investigate acts of bullying.This immunity is lost if the actions of the school employee constitute “gross, reckless, willful, or wanton misconduct.” • All certified school employees must complete training on school violence prevention, conflict resolution, the prevention of and response to youth suicide and the identification and prevention of and response to bullying.

  13. Public Act 11-232 NEW DEFINITION of BULLYING: REPEATED USE by one or more students of a WRITTEN, VERBAL, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, such as CYBERBULLYING, or a PHYSICAL ACT OR GESTURE REPEATEDLY DIRECTED AT OR REFERRINGTO another student attending school in the same school district that: (A) causes PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL HARM to the student or DAMAGE to the student’s property; (B) places the student in REASONABLE FEAR OF HARM to himself or herself, or of DAMAGE to the student’s property; (C) creates a HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT at school for such student (bullying among students is sufficiently severe and pervasive as to alter the conditions of the school climate); (D) infringes on the RIGHTS of the student at school; or (E) SUBSTANTIALLY DISRUPTS the educational process or the orderly operation of a school.

  14. Public Act 11-232 Bullying explicitly includes, but is not limited to: A written, verbal, or electronic communications, or physical acts or gestures that are based on any ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED DIFFERENTIATING CHARACTERISTICS, such as race, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.

  15. Public Act 11-232 CYBERBULLYING DEFINED: Any act of bullying using the INTERNET, INTERACTIVE and DIGITAL technologies, CELLULAR MOBILE TELEPHONE or other MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES, or any ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS.

  16. Public Act 11-232 • Who may report bullying: • Students: • Written reports. • Anonymous reports. NOTE: There are two kinds of anonymous reports – those when the student wishes to remain anonymous and those that are truly anonymous. The safe school climate specialist must review anonymous reports, but no disciplinary action may be taken solely on the basis of any anonymous report. • Parents: Written reports are required to be investigated.

  17. Public Act 11-232 • Who must report bullying? • School employees who: • witness acts of bullying or • receive reports of bullying. “School employee” means (A) a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (B) any other individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education.

  18. Newtown Public Schools Suspected Bullying Intake/Report Form Verbal reports of suspected bullying must be reported within one (1) school day to the Safe School Climate Specialist(SSCS). A written report of suspected bullying must be filed with the SSCS within 48 hours on this intake form. A signed copy of this report must be sent by the SSCS to the Assistant Superintendent upon completion of the investigation. Name of district employee who received the report: _____________________________________Position:_____________ Who reported the incident? Bullied child / Anonymous / Parent / District Employee / Bystander Name(s) of alleged target child(ren) ____________________________________________________________Grade_____ Name(s) of alleged bully(ies) __________________________________________________________________Grade_____ Where did the incident occur? _________________________________________________________ Description of the incident: ___________________________________________________________ Teacher/Employee response:__________________________________________________________ To your knowledge, has this occurred more than once? Yes No Are there immediate safety concerns? Yes No ---------THIS SECTION IS FOR PRINCIPAL/ SCHOOL SAFETY CLIMATE SPECIALIST USE ONLY---------- Results of investigation: ___________________________________________________________________ Actions taken: ___________________________________________________________________________ Is this a verified act of bullying? Yes No If yes, attach a copy of all letters (parent and otherwise) sent home. Did the bullying appear to be sexual harassment? Yes No If yes, send a copy of paperwork to Title IX District coordinator. Signature of Principal/Safe School Climate Specialist Designee______________________________________Date:_______

  19. Model positive behaviors at home and in the community. Examine and self-reflect on your own personal biases. Communicate clear expectations with your child. Be consistent. Identify at least one adult at home, school or in the community your child “trusts” to tell when something is wrong. Role play with your child how to develop effective and appropriate social skills. Communicate that you will not take away their computer, iphone, etc. if they tell you about a problem. Explain the difference between a “tattle-tale or snitch” and a “problem solver.” Communicate concerns with the school ASAP. What can parents do to help develop a safe school climate?

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