KEEPING ALL CHILDREN SAFE AT SCHOOL: A Parents’ Guide KEEPING ALL CHILDREN SAFE AT SCHOOL: A Parents’ Guide

WHAT IS CREC? The Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) offers a wide array of cost-effective, high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the Capitol Region. Established in 1966, CREC is supported by local, state, federal and private funds. The Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) offers a wide array of cost-effective, high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the Capitol Region. Established in 1966, CREC is supported by local, state, federal and private funds. CREC is one of six Regional Educational Service Centers (RESCs) established under a Connecticut General Statute, which permits local boards of education to establish a RESC as a “public educational authority” for the purpose of “cooperative action to furnish programs and services.” CREC is one of six Regional Educational Service Centers (RESCs) established under a Connecticut General Statute, which permits local boards of education to establish a RESC as a “public educational authority” for the purpose of “cooperative action to furnish programs and services.”

CREC DISTRICTS Avon Berlin Bloomfield Bolton Bristol Burlington Canton Cromwell East Granby East Hartford East Windsor Ellington Enfield Farmington Glastonbury Granby Hartford Hartland Harwinton Manchester New Britain New Hartford Newington Plainville Portland Rocky Hill Simsbury Somers Southington South Windsor Suffield Vernon West Hartford Wethersfield Windsor

CONNECTICUT RESCS

SHEFF V. O’NEILL 1989: Elizabeth Horton Sheff and other parents file a lawsuit charging that Connecticut's system of separate city and suburban school districts led to racially segregated schools and a violation of their children's rights to equal opportunity. 2008: The State and plaintiffs agree to a new settlement, calling for expanded regional magnet schools and the use of Project Choice to provide a quality, integrated education to all children. It includes the goal that 80% of Hartford parents seeking to send their children to an integrated school will be accommodated.

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 in public schools. The State Department of Education is shifting from focusing on “anti-bullying” behavior toward developing a positive school climate and culture for all children in public schools.

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) Districts must identify a “Safe School Climate Coordinator” (done – not due until 7/01/12), Districts must identify a “Safe School Climate Coordinator” (done – not due until 7/01/12), Each school must identify a “Safe School Climate Specialist” (done – not due until 7/01/12), Each school must identify a “Safe School Climate Specialist” (done – not due until 7/01/12), Each school must create a “Safe School Climate Committee with parent representation. Each school must create a “Safe School Climate Committee with parent representation.

Responsibilities for Schools and Districts (New) Student, Staff and Parent Assessments must be completed by 7/2012, Student, Staff and Parent Assessments must be completed by 7/2012, Safe School Climate Plans must be completed by 1/01/12, Safe School Climate Plans must be completed by 1/01/12, “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.

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 in writing within two days, School staff who witness acts of bullying must notify school administrators in writing within two days,

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!)

What You Can Do as a Parent Go to Go to Paste this link into your browser: lying_q_and_a.pdf. Paste this link into your browser: lying_q_and_a.pdf. lying_q_and_a.pdf lying_q_and_a.pdf

What You Can Do as a Parent What You Can Do as a Parent Spend time together and encourage your children to share events that occurred during the day, Spend time together and encourage your children to share events that occurred during the day, Talk to your children about what bullying looks like and feels like, Talk to your children about what bullying looks like and feels like, Role play, Role play,

What You Can Do as a Parent Talk to your children about how to advocate for themselves. Give them the words to use: “It really bothers me when you _________. Please stop.” Talk to your children about how to advocate for themselves. Give them the words to use: “It really bothers me when you _________. Please stop.” Help them identify adults in the school they feel comfortable with and can go to with problems, Help them identify adults in the school they feel comfortable with and can go to with problems,

What You Can Do as a Parent Be a role model for your children: practice random acts of kindness toward others.

For further information please contact: Carole Kerkin, CREC School Climate Coordinator