1. EVVRS Electronic Violence and Vandalism Reporting System Spring 2007

2. Todays Agenda Whats new? Dos and Donts of data entry What to report, what not to report Refresher tour of the system Public access to EVVRS summary data Using the other EVVRS reports to verify your Annual District Report

3. Whats new? Reports Crystal Reports printing and export option Public Access to Summary Reports, Feb. 07 Offender Information Page Action Taken: Short- and long-term susp. Program Provided (for long-term susp. (>10 days) http://www.state.nj.us/njded/code/current / c hapter 16, sections 7.2 and 7.3 http://www.state.nj.us/njded/code/current / Protection against multiple entries of data

8. Public Access

9. Do Save copies of report forms for 5 years Save copies of report forms for 5 years Report incidents of vandalism occurring in the summer, in the fall Report incidents of vandalism occurring in the summer, in the fall Report incidents of vandalism by unknown persons Report incidents of vandalism by unknown persons Record all offender and victim information on the system Record all offender and victim information on the system

10. Do Enter and review your incident data monthly (recommended), or at a minimum, 3 times a year: July-December, in January January-March, in April April-June, end of June.

11. Do have an in-service training at the beginning of the school year, covering: What is to be reported on the EVVRS & what is reported on the local discipline form only The scenarios and key incident definitions, e.g., assault, fight, theft http://homeroom.state.nj.us-EVVRS, so staff can see the Welcome Page http://homeroom.state.nj.us

12. Dont Forget Victim Information

13. DO Enter Victim of Violent Criminal Offense Information:

14. What to report Report any incident whose description matches the definition as an incident of violence and vandalism Report any suspension of a student with disabilities of at least one full day as either a violence and vandalism incident or suspension for other reason

15. What not to report as violence and vandalism a minor push or scuffle a threat lacking true intent or verbal attacks that are not threats the lighting of a match (as arson)

16. Harassment If an elementary school student is the object of intimidating remarks, and as a result, is isolated on the playground, should this situation be reported as an incident of harassment/intimidation/bullying? First, the remarks must be related to an actual or perceived characteristic of the student. Second, if the condition of an actual or perceived characteristic is satisfied, then it must be determined that either: the isolation causes the student harm, or that it is disruptive to the orderly operation of the school.

17. Harassment Does harm under the definition of harassment/intimidation/bullying include psychological harm? If the offending students behavior indicated a clear intent to cause – and may have caused - psychological harm, then yes, the condition of harm would be satisfied.

18. Students with Disabilities What if a student with a disability commits an offense due to her disability, e.g., an impulsive act directly related to a classification of emotional disturbance? If the student has the mental capacity to understand what she is doing and the probable effect of her actions, then the incident would be reported. The classification, per se, does not influence the decision to report.

19. Substance Abuse Incident Medical Exam Results: Who gets them? The code (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-4.3(a)7 and 4.3(b)4) establishes that, in all instances, the written report of the examination must be furnished to the parent, the principal and the chief school administrator. Is Use not confirmed counted as an incident on the Annual Report? No but they are listed on the Substances Report.

20. Accessing the EVVRS http://homeroom.state.nj.ushomeroom.state.nj.us Note: Do not use www

22. One Incident Can Have Many Offenders and/or Many Victims Dont Forget! Write the Incident # on your paper forms!

23. To add, change, or view data

24. Searching for Records Always identify the school first! Duplicate Incident Numbers ? These are most likely not duplicates, as there is one listing of an incident for each offender/victim.

25. Click on Incident Number to: Add an offender Add a victim Change Incident Information

26. Click on Offender Type to: Change an action Change number of days Change program provided Delete an offender

27. Click on Victim Type to: Delete a Victim Change Victim of Violent Criminal Offense Information

28. Click on Student ID to: Change Student Information Name Gender Race Student Disability Category

29. Can I change Student ID? Can I change Offender Type? Must delete offender record and then re-enter NO!

30. Can I delete an Incident? Re-enter new correct Incident Then Email EVVRS to delete the incorrect Incident NO!

31. User Information Name Phone Email address Password To establish a new user: Request your District Web User Administrator to create a new account. Then, delete the old user. You can change:

32. Scenario Exercises

33. Points to keep in mind when reporting (or not reporting) an incident (1) Start with the incident definitions; they are your guide. It is helpful to consult with several people that have knowledge of the incident and the student involved in order to come to a consensus on how to report.

34. Points to keep in mind when reporting (or not reporting) an incident (2) The fact that a disciplinary action is taken may or may not determine what is reported on the EVVRS. The scenarios should supplement, not supplant, the judgment of staff who observed the incident.

35. Points to keep in mind when reporting (or not reporting) an incident (3) Developmentally appropriate means the observer must consider whether the offender is cognitively and developmentally mature enough to know the consequences of the action he/she is taking, that: a hard punch could injure; the weapon is not permitted in school; the threat would make the victim fearful; the inappropriate behavior would be considered a sex offense.

36. The following slides contain incident scenarios that can be used in conjunction with the Incident Report Form as a training exercise. Each scenario is followed by one or more slides containing notes offering guidance in reporting each incident. In some cases there are also notes in the notes pages.

37. Nicole (special education student) is waiting on the lunch line in the cafeteria when Amber (general education student) tries to cut in front of her. Nicole pushes Amber with her backpack and tells her to go to the back of the line. Nicole does not use a lot of force and there was no injury. At this point is this reportable? Yes or No REWIND: The same students, Nicole and Amber, have an altercation on the playground after school. Amber sneaks up behind Nicole and forcefully whacks her with her back pack that is loaded with books. She hits her on the back of her neck and back and says, You are a rotten liar, you went out with Chris behind my back you bitch Nicole grimaces and rubs her neck in pain. Is this reportable? Yes or No Scenario 1 Nicole and Amber

38. Nicole (special education student) is waiting on the lunch line in the cafeteria when Amber (general education student) tries to cut in front of her. Nicole pushes Amber with her backpack and tells her to go to the back of the line. Nicole does not use a lot of force and there was no injury. At this point is this reportable? Yes or No No, there is no force and no injury; this is a minor confrontation. If a special education student is suspended for a full day or more it must be reported. Scenario 1 with Guidance Nicole and Amber

39. REWIND: The same students, Nicole and Amber, have an altercation on the playground after school. Amber sneaks up behind Nicole and forcefully whacks her with her back pack that is loaded with books. She hits her on the back of her neck and back and says, You are a rotten liar, you went out with Chris behind my back you bitch Nicole grimaces and rubs her neck in pain. Scenario 1 with Guidance continued Nicole and Amber Is this reportable? Yes or No Yes, this is an assault with other weapon; Amber forcefully used her heavy backpack as an other weapon (an instrument other than a firearm) to inflict bodily injury.

40. Assault with Other Weapon Attacking or physically harming someone with a knife, club, stun gun, chain, pepper spray, or other instrument (other than a firearm) readily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury.

41. Baseball bat Pen/Pencil Sharpened wooden dowel Letter opener Screw Metal point of compass Broken bottle Zapping pen Wood file Lighter Pencils with tacks in them Air stapler Some examples of items that were reportedly used as other weapons

42. Scenario 2 Pete and Eric At this point is it reportable? Yes or No CONTINUE (1): Pete pushes Eric and punches him in the stomach with a lot of force. Eric falls to the floor in pain. A teacher arrives and stops any further contact between the boys. Is this reportable? If yes, how should it be reported? CONTINUE (2): Pete punches Eric; Eric falls to the floor gets back up and tackles Pete. They are wrestling and punching each other when a school resource officer arrives to separate the boys. How is this reported? Pete (general education student) gets into an argument with Eric (general education student). The argument escalates and Pete pushes Eric. A teacher walks down the hall and stops everything.

43. Scenario 2 with Guidance Pete and Eric At this point is it reportable? Yes or No No, this was a minor confrontation, there was no bodily injury and the confrontation ended. CONTINUE (1): Pete pushes Eric and punches him in the stomach with a lot of force. Eric falls to the floor in pain. A teacher arrives and stops any further contact between the boys. Is this reportable? If yes, how should it be reported? Yes, this is likely a simple assault because Pete knowingly attempted to cause bodily injury to Eric. Pete (general education student) gets into an argument with Eric (general education student). The argument escalates and Pete pushes Eric. A teacher walks down the hall and stops everything.

44. Scenario 2 with Guidance continued Pete and Eric CONTINUE (2): Pete punches Eric; Eric falls to the floor gets back up and tackles Pete. They are wrestling and punching each other when a school resource officer arrives to separate the boys. How is this reported? This is now a fight; there was mutual engagement in a physical confrontation that may result in bodily injury to either party. Both boys are offenders. There would be two offender records.

45. Simple Assault A person attempts to cause, or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another. One needs to consider age and developmentally appropriate behavior before using this category.

46. Fight Mutual engagement in a physical confrontation that may result in bodily injury to either party. Does not include verbal confrontations or a minor confrontation such as a shoving match. All participants should be classified as offenders. One needs to consider age and developmentally appropriate behavior before using this category.

47. Scenario 3 Chris and the gym teacher Is this reportable? REWIND: Chris and the other student are having a fist fight. The gym teacher walks into a punch while breaking up the fight. How is this reported? The gym teacher breaks up a heated argument between two students. Chris, one of the students involved in the argument, gets very angry with the teacher and gently but firmly pushes him aside and tells him to stay out of it.

48. Scenario 3 with Guidance Chris and the gym teacher Is this reportable? No, Chris did not attempt to cause bodily injury to the teacher. Chris may require disciplinary action based on the schools code of conduct. REWIND: Chris and the other student are having a fist fight. The gym teacher walks into a punch while breaking up the fight. How is this reported? This is likely a simple assault. Chris recklessly caused bodily injury to the teacher. School Personnel should be checked in the Victim Type field. This is also reported as a fight. This is reported as two incidents because simple assault and fight cannot be combined on the EVVRS. Law enforcement may elevate this to an aggravated assault but for EVVRS reporting purposes it is a simple assault. The gym teacher breaks up a heated argument between two students. Chris, one of the students involved in the argument, gets very angry with the teacher and gently but firmly pushes him aside and tells him to stay out of it.

49. Scenario 4 Sam Is this reportable? If yes, how would you report it? Sam is a twelve year old general education student. Sam is extremely overweight for his age. Several students have been calling him names in reference to his weight. Sam is repeatedly bumped in the hallway and one of the students took his backpack and threw it across the room. The other students proceeded to play keep away with his backpack until a teacher intervened. Sam, who is visibly upset, reports this situation to the school counselor and tells him that he is afraid to come to school. He also says that he has been having trouble concentrating. The counselor is aware that although Sam is normally a good student his grades have been slipping.

50. Scenario 4 with Guidance Sam Is this reportable? If yes, how would you report it? Yes, this would be reportable as harassment, intimidation and bullying. The acts, both physical and verbal, were motivated by a distinguishing characteristic, Sams weight. The actions place Sam in reasonable fear of harm to his person and damage to his property. This is one incident with multiple offenders. Sam is a twelve year old general education student. Sam is extremely overweight for his age. Several students have been calling him names in reference to his weight. Sam is repeatedly bumped in the hallway and one of the students took his backpack and threw it across the room. The other students proceeded to play keep away with his backpack until a teacher intervened. Sam, who is visibly upset, reports this situation to the school counselor and tells him that he is afraid to come to school. He also says that he has been having trouble concentrating. The counselor is aware that although Sam is normally a good student his grades have been slipping.

51. Scenario 5 David and Julia How is this reported? CONTINUE: Instead of David taking the MP3 player from the book bag, he approaches Julia in the lunchroom, says, Give me your MP3 player and grabs it from her. How is this reported now? David spotted Julias MP3 player in her book bag. Julia left to use the restroom and David took the player from her bag. Julia reported to the teacher that her player was missing and that she did not know who took it.

52. Scenario 5 with Guidance David and Julia How is this reported? This is reported as a theft because a persons belongings were taken without consent. The offender would be unknown. If at some point the offender is known, the record would have to be changed. This would not be reported as robbery because there was no violence or threat of violence. It may be helpful to report a theft after some time has passed and more facts are gathered. For example, it may turn out that a student initially reported an item stolen that was actually lost, or an item can be returned. David spotted Julias MP3 player in her book bag. Julia left to use the restroom and David took the player from her bag. Julia reported to the teacher that her player was missing and that she did not know who took it.

53. Scenario 5 with Guidance continued David and Julia How is this reported now? This would be reported as a robbery because David used force to take Julias property. CONTINUE: Instead of David taking the MP3 player from the book bag, he approaches Julia in the lunchroom, says, Give me your MP3 player and grabs it from her.

54. Theft: Taking of the districts or a persons belongings or property without consent. Robbery: Obtaining money or other material things (regardless of value) from another by means of violence or threat of immediate violence. Extortion: Obtaining money or other material things (regardless of value) from another by means of stated or implied threat of future violence.

55. Getting Ready to Verify: Exporting the Incident Listing At Incident Listing Report, click on Export When report appears, click on Export this Report icon. Select Microsoft Word – editable (RTF) as file format Save. Then open in Rich Text Format (RTF) and insert page breaks between schools on list. Send list to school.

56. Steps in Verifying Your Data in the Annual District Report 1. Check to make sure all schools data are in. 2. Review the incidents listed for each school in the Incident Listing Report; click the Incident # hyperlink to check incident details. Or, 3. After printing incident listing, have each school review records of all its suspensions to determine if any incidents have been left off the EVVRS that meet the criteria of the EVVRS Incident definitions.

57. Final Steps in Verification Make changes, including request to DOE to delete incidents, if necessary. Conduct final review of Annual Report. Have Superintendent or Business Administrator sign Fax-Back Verification Form. Fax in form only. Due date: July 10

58. Public School Safety Law Annually, at a public hearing the superintendent of schools shall report to the board of education all acts of violence and vandalism... Recommended Documents for the Public Hearing: Annual District Report Incident Listing Incident Category Summary

59. Questions? EVVRS@doe.state.nj.us If about students with disabilities: Attention Andrew All other questions: Attention Theresa For EVVRS account users and the public EVVRS-PSD@doe.state.nj.us if you are a private school for the disabled EVVRS-PSD@doe.state.nj.us Call Theresa @ 609-292-1288