District Violence and Vandalism Report Westampton Township Public Schools 2007-2008

What Gets Reported An incident that results in an “In or Out” of school suspension or a Saturday Suspension. Any situation that is potentially considered as bullying or harassing behavior as reported by the victim or observer.

The Public Presentation of the 2007 – 2008 EVVRS Below is the summary of the data submitted as required by law for all known reportable incidents of Violence and Vandalism for the 2007-2008 School Year. The public presentation will include the following information: A statement by me that we are required to do this publicly at our October 2008 BOE Meeting

A statement that this presentation is a required part of our Violence & Vandalism Awareness Activities. This is a review of all reportable incidents that occurred in our schools during 2007 – 2008. This report includes a comparison of the EVVRS statistics over the previous year. The final part of my presentation will include an opportunity for the public to ask questions. This presentation also includes a review of our suspension totals for 2007 – 2008

In 2006–2007 we had (74) reportable incidents of violence In 2006–2007 we had (74) reportable incidents of violence. That total is up considerably from 2005-2006 in part because the definition of reportable incidents has changed. This year the report is significantly lower in part due to the protocols added at both schools to better manage student conduct. In the 2007-2008 school year we had a total of (17) reportable incidents. Among these incidents there were (10) assaults and (4 ) fights There was also (3) incidents of issuing a threat to the safety of another None of these incidents were determined to be racially motivated None of the incidents involved any student’s ethnicity or race.

The breakdown for this report includes: 17 Incidents of violence 0 Vandalism 0 Weapons (Some incidents may fit into more than one category)

There were (0) incidents involving CDS There were (0) incidents involving CDS. This is the 4th year in a row that we have not had an incident involving CDS. CDS includes drugs and alcohol There were (0) incidents of Vandalism in 2007–2008. This is an increase of 100% reduction over last year’s report.

We suspended (11) students in 2007–2008. All of the “suspensions” were “Out of school.” We do have other options like Saturday Detentions. All of the violations were serious enough to warrant an “Out of School Suspension” All of the suspensions were short term meaning they were less than or equal to 3 days. No incidents were reported to the police.

Summary of Incidents 2007-2008 (17) reportable incidents Violence (10) Vandalism (0) Weapons (0) Substance Abuse (0) Fights (4) Assaults (10) Threats (3)

Definitions Simple Assault- A person attempts to cause, or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another. Fight - Mutual engagement in a physical confrontation that may result in bodily injury to either party. Does not include verbal confrontations. All participants should be classified as offenders. Harassment, Bullying, Intimidation, Threat*(HIBT) Any gesture, or written, verbal or physical act, or electronic or wireless communication that a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of alarming (fear created by imminent danger) or harming (e.g., physically, emotionally) a student or staff member, or damaging their property; or b) has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.

WMS 2 Incidents of fights assaults that involved mutual physical exchange. 3 Simple Assaults 0 Threats of violence No incidents of students to student sexual harassment. 0 Weapon

Holly Hills 0 Incidents of vandalism 2 Incidents of fights/assaults that involved mutual physical exchange. 3 Simple Assaults 0 Threats of violence No incidents of student to student sexual harassment. 0 Weapon

Conclusion Last year the state changed the reporting criteria. Nonetheless we implemented a mechanism to combat student to student conflicts including a new approach to the Character Education program. There was an article in the Burlington County Times which indicates that Westampton's incidents of violence are significantly higher than surrounding areas.  These numbers are somewhat misleading. Firstly, we reported (as prescribed by law) every incident including repeat offenders.  For example, if the same student committed 10 infractions, it was listed as 10 separate incidents.  Secondly, our reporting also included shoving, aggressive play that resulted in a referral for disciplinary action or even conflicts between siblings.