KEEPING ALL CHILDREN SAFE AT SCHOOL: A look at the new anti-bullying initiative. KEEPING ALL CHILDREN SAFE AT SCHOOL: A look at the new anti-bullying initiative.

Agenda for Today The New Legislation: changes in definitions, responsibilities and timelines The New Legislation: changes in definitions, responsibilities and timelines Anti-Bullying Policy/Regulation Development Anti-Bullying Policy/Regulation Development PBIS and School Climate PBIS and School Climate Brainstorming Next Steps and District Needs Brainstorming Next Steps and District Needs CREC Resources and Future Workshops CREC Resources and Future Workshops

The Big Picture on Bullying The Big Picture on Bullying The State Department of Education is shifting from focusing on anti- bullying behavior toward developing a positive school climate and culture for all children. The State Department of Education is shifting from focusing on anti- bullying behavior toward developing a positive school climate and culture for all children.

THE NEW LEGISLATION: CHANGES IN DEFINTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND TIMELINES AND TIMELINES

The Law The Law On July 1, 2011, An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws, Public Act No. 11 – 232 was enacted in CT. On July 1, 2011, An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws, Public Act No. 11 – 232 was enacted in CT. Some of the provisions took place immediately while others do not apply until July 1, Some of the provisions took place immediately while others do not apply until July 1, 2012.

Revisions Enacted July 1, 2011 Public Act No 11 – 232 significantly changes and expands the legal definition of bullying. Public Act No 11 – 232 significantly changes and expands the legal definition of bullying.

Responsibilities for Schools and Districts (New) Responsibilities for Schools and Districts (New) Student Safety Support Plans must be completed for all verified acts of bullying, Student Safety Support Plans must be completed for all verified acts of bullying, Within 1 school day employees must make an oral report of any situation involving potential bullying, Within 1 school day employees must make an oral report of any situation involving potential bullying, Within 3 school days employees must make a written report or any situation involving potential bullying, Within 3 school days employees must make a written report or any situation involving potential bullying,

Responsibilities for Schools and Districts (New) Investigations must be completed promptly, Investigations must be completed promptly, Upon completion of an investigation, parents must be notified, within 48 hours, regarding the schools response and consequences imposed, Upon completion of an investigation, parents must be notified, within 48 hours, regarding the schools response and consequences imposed, All school employees must annually participate in training regarding the laws around bullying and prevention and intervention procedures & strategies, All school employees must annually participate in training regarding the laws around bullying and prevention and intervention procedures & strategies, Safe School Climate Plans must be completed by 1/01/12, Safe School Climate Plans must be completed by 1/01/12,

Responsibilities for Schools and Districts (New) Districts must identify a Safe School Climate Coordinator (Effective 7/01/12), Districts must identify a Safe School Climate Coordinator (Effective 7/01/12), Each school must identify a Safe School Climate Specialist (Effective 7/01/12), Each school must identify a Safe School Climate Specialist (Effective 7/01/12), Student, Staff and Parent Assessments must be completed by 7/2012 (& biennially thereafter), Student, Staff and Parent Assessments must be completed by 7/2012 (& biennially thereafter), Each school must create a Safe School Climate Committee with parent representation (Effective 7/01/12). Each school must create a Safe School Climate Committee with parent representation (Effective 7/01/12).

Responsibilities for Schools and Districts (Old) Responsibilities for Schools and Districts (Old) Students must be able to report alleged acts of bullying anonymously, Students must be able to report alleged acts of bullying anonymously, Parents/guardians must be able to file written reports of suspected bullying, Parents/guardians must be able to file written reports of suspected bullying, School staff who witness acts of bullying must notify school administrators, School staff who witness acts of bullying must notify school administrators,

Responsibilities for Schools and Districts (Old) School Administrator (or designee) must complete an investigation of any alleged act of bullying within a reasonable period of time, School Administrator (or designee) must complete an investigation of any alleged act of bullying within a reasonable period of time, Schools must have a preventive approach to bullying in place, Schools must have a preventive approach to bullying in place, Parents/guardians of the alleged perpetrator and alleged victim must be notified. Meetings must occur with all parties, Parents/guardians of the alleged perpetrator and alleged victim must be notified. Meetings must occur with all parties,

Responsibilities for Schools and Districts (Old) School districts must have written policies and procedures in place that address bullying, School districts must have written policies and procedures in place that address bullying, Annually, districts must report the verified incidents of bullying to the State Department of Education (number only!) Annually, districts must report the verified incidents of bullying to the State Department of Education (number only!)

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Due Now!!

Do Your Policy and/or Regulations Include… New definitions New definitions What constitutes bullying What constitutes bullying Cyberbullying and electronic communications Cyberbullying and electronic communications Refer to your School Climate Plan Refer to your School Climate Plan District Safe School Climate Coordinator and Safe School Climate Specialist District Safe School Climate Coordinator and Safe School Climate Specialist School Climate Committee including at least one parent School Climate Committee including at least one parent Process and procedures with new time frames and student safety support plans Process and procedures with new time frames and student safety support plans Dissemination of bullying policy Dissemination of bullying policy Staff training Staff training

PBIS AND SCHOOL CLIMATE

SW-PBIS Districts CREC Service Region Cromwell Cromwell Bristol Bristol New Britain New Britain Hartford Hartford East Hartford East Hartford Manchester Manchester Vernon Vernon Tolland Tolland Windsor Windsor Ellington Ellington Windsor Locks Windsor Locks Bolton Bolton West Hartford West Hartford Hebron Hebron Colchester Colchester CREC CREC Simsbury Simsbury Rocky Hill Rocky Hill Windham Windham Southington Southington East Granby East Granby

Public Act No Sec. 2…prevention and intervention strategy may include, but is not limited to, (1) implementation of a positive behavioral interventions and supports process or another evidence-based model approach for safe school climate or for the prevention of bullying identified by the Department of Education,… Sec. 2…prevention and intervention strategy may include, but is not limited to, (1) implementation of a positive behavioral interventions and supports process or another evidence-based model approach for safe school climate or for the prevention of bullying identified by the Department of Education,… Public Act. No

Public Act No Safe School Climate Committee Patterns Policy Education Safe School Climate Plan Reporting Investigation Procedures Safe School Climate Specialist Investigate Reported Acts Collect and Maintain Reports District Safe School Climate Coordinator Collaboration and Information Sharing Meet with Climate Specialists

Public Act No SW-PBIS Team Patterns Policy Education Practices and Systems Reporting Investigation Procedures SW-PBIS Coach Investigate Reported Acts Collect and Maintain Reports District PBIS Coordinator Collaboration and Information Sharing Meet with Climate Specialists

BRAINSTORMING NEXT STEPS AND DISTRICT NEEDS

CREC RESOURCES AND FUTURE WORKSHOPS CREC Website CREC Website

Upcoming Activities One Day Workshop for School Climate Coordinators and Specialists, November 30, MPTP, $75/person One Day Workshop for School Climate Coordinators and Specialists, November 30, MPTP, $75/person 2.5 hour School Climate Plans: Facilitated Session, December 13, MPTP, $50/District Team 2.5 hour School Climate Plans: Facilitated Session, December 13, MPTP, $50/District Team Open Choice Book Club, November 29, Kick Off Dinner, No Cost (Other Book Clubs) Open Choice Book Club, November 29, Kick Off Dinner, No Cost (Other Book Clubs) HS Unity Teams, January 27, No Cost HS Unity Teams, January 27, No Cost Paraprofessional Training on Bullying, Winter 2012 Paraprofessional Training on Bullying, Winter 2012 CALI School Climate Training, February 2012 CALI School Climate Training, February 2012 Parent Workshop Model, April 2012 Parent Workshop Model, April 2012 School Climate Institute, CREC, July School Climate Institute, CREC, July Customized Staff Development or Technical Assistance Customized Staff Development or Technical Assistance

CONTACT INFORMATION Carole Carole Student Services Donna Donna Technical And Brokering Services (TABS) Tim Tim Teaching and Learning

Thank-you! Let us know how we can help!