Welcome to the Certification Training - S.A.V.E.

Schools Against Violence in Education

Agenda:

• • • • • Reality check:

What constitutes violence?

An overview of NYS Legislation Prevention efforts in your school Prevention efforts in your classroom Understanding the people we serve, both young and older

Housekeeping…

• • Restrooms??

No Breaks • Forms • Your hope to get ….

A little history:

• • • Increasing number of violent events involving youth on school property…Jonesboro, Pearl, Peducah, Santee, Columbine, etc.

Bill passed on July 24, 2000 Full compliance by all school districts was expected by July, 2001

Questions to consider…

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What constitutes VIOLENCE?

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Are there acceptable forms of violence?

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Is violence something new to our schools?

With your elbow partner, or with others at your table, discuss these questions.

What about the emphasis on bullying behavior in schools?

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Bullying behavior is an intentional act of violence that harms, or threatens to harm, a person’s physical, social, mental, intellectual or emotional well being.

• • •

The bully and the victim display an imbalance of power.

The bullying behavior occurs over and over again.

It is a choice. It is learned behavior.

Ultimately, bullying leads to violence.

• • • Bullies have a lack of respect of human rights.

Bullies show high rates of fighting with peers, especially at the middle school level.

Recent school shootings demonstrate the victim’s frustration with a failed system. The victim turns to vengeful violence.

• • • •

Bullying behavior is shown to result in:

A drop in grades Less involvement in school activities for fear of being made fun of.

The victim feeling more anxious, withdrawn, retaliatory Other health related problems, such as lack of sleep, over eating, under-eating, depression, suicide, and murder.

Violence is…

• Violence is any word, act, or look that hurts, or threatens to hurt, a person’s body, feelings, belongings or reputation.

• It is a learned behavior.

• It is a choice people make.

Today’s influences on behavior:

• • • • • Growing infusion of drugs Easy accessibility to guns Harmful messages supported by the popular media The decline of family structure and values An “it’s not my problem” mentality

• •

How SAVE WORKS…

• • Governor and Legislators decide N.Y.S. Education Department is assigned the task of training Certified trainers exist across the NYS Anyone working with children in schools is required to receive this certification training.

Safe Schools in Violence in Education Legislation Addresses many important issues that impact education and educators. These are the components:

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SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN

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CODES OF CONDUCT DISRUPTIVE PUPIL REMOVAL CHARACTER EDUCATION

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PREVENTION CURRICULUM VIOLENT INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM

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COURT NOTIFICATION

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WHISTLE-BLOWER PROTECTION

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ASSAULTS ON TEACHERS CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING

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SILENT REGISNATIONS

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TEACHER DISCIPLINE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES & APPLICANTS FOR CERTIFICATION

School Safety Plans Include:

• • • • • • •

The District Plan The School Emergency Response Guidelines for prevention and intervention Includes emergency response and violent reporting system Every school and district must submit these forms to SED SED reviews the plan for required components Some schools and districts will receive guidance to achieve compliance

• • • • • • • • •

: District Safety Plan:

includes : Board of Education of every district develops a comprehensive plan that Policies and procedures for responding to threats, acts of violence, and appropriate intervention/ prevention strategies (I.e. Conflict resolution, peer mediation, Youth Court, etc.

Law enforcement is contacts Parent/guardian notification protocols Building plan, layout and security measures Dissemination of information protocols Proof of annual school safety training Stated duties of hall monitors/SROs/ sentries Communication strategies for both students and adults A safety team

The District plan includes the selection of a Safety Team and includes: • • • • • • A representative of the Board of Education Students Administrators Parent organization members School safety personnel Other representatives appointed by the Board of Education

Building Level Emergency Response Plans…

• • • Includes team members Uses the guidelines established by the Board of Education Informs the local law enforcement agencies and the NYS Police

School Safety Plan :

• • • • • Should be part of staff training Requires drills to establish the plan Provides for an equipped command post Communicates all changes to law enforcement Requires the plans to be in an accessible, secure place

• • • • • •

Codes of Conduct defines the maintenance of order on School grounds

• Adopted by the School Board Governs the conduct of all students and all adults… Developed by a representative group Codes of conduct should be known by all students and parents All aspects are considered for different settings Full copy of this document is available for inspection upon request Must provide in-service regarding the assessment of threats, how to determine if threats are credible and the kind of disciplinary response under this code.

Minimum elements of the code of Conduct includes:

• • • • • • • • •

Appropriate dress and language Security issues Removal from classroom Disciplinary procedures VADIR adherence Procedures for parental notification “Code” Review committee Procedures related to PINS Minimum suspension periods

Disruptive Student Removal

• Allows teachers to remove a disruptive student from the classroom or event room.

• Is consistent with the codes of conduct • Most likely has been reviewed by a legal team to ensure safeguards

Disruptive student removal:

• A disruptive student interferes with the teacher’s authority or the educational process • A teacher can remove a pupil who commits an act of violence, possesses or threatens to use a weapon, damages anyone’s property or school property

Disruptive student (con’t)

• • A principal can suspend a pupil without specific board delegation of that authority for 5 days, but must include minimum periods of suspension, as stated in the codes of conduct.

The student must be informed for the reason for removal • Parents must be notified within 24 hours and within a specific number of hours a conference will occur.

• Negotiation may occur.

Character Education:

• • What does it look like in your buildings?

What kinds of character education have you been involved with, or conducted?

Character Education enforces the 3 C’s: civility, citizenship and character building…

Kinds of Character Education and Prevention Programs • • • • • • No Bullying Conflict Resolution Peer Mediation Respect and Protect No Put Downs Empathy Training

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Violent Incident Reporting System:

• A school report card is submitted to the governor The report includes #’s and types of violent incidents #’s of suspensions Actions taken by the school Age and grade of disciplined students

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Court Notification

Requires family and criminal court to contact the school about juvenile delinquency adjudication

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Schools must appoint a designated educational official (DEO)

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Cannot be part of the student academic record

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Information can be used to guide the student educational plan.

Whistle Blower Protection

• Employees who report a violent incident may not be fired for reporting • Protected by civil liability

Assaults on teachers

• INCREASES ASSAULTS ON TEACHERS TO A CLASS D FELONY - FROM A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR

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Child Abuse in an Educational Setting

Child abuse is defined • • Requires immediate reporting to school authorities, parents, and law enforcement Defines mandatory reporters • Requires a written report of allegations to school officials • Building administrator will determine reasonable suspicion, notify parents, forward a report to law enforcement.

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Silent Resignations

Ends the practice of allowing a person to resign rather than disclose allegations of child abuse and other illegal matters

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Applies to licensed and certified personnel

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Criminal prosecution: Administrators who don’t comply face a class E felony, a civil penalty up to $20,000 + 4 yrs in prison!

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Provides civil and criminal immunity to those who comply in good faith.

Teacher Discipline

• • Commissioner has authority to impose penalties against certificate holders : provide professional development, written plan of improvement, mentor In addition to revocation of a teaching license, this component expands the range of measures: – Suspension – – Continuing education Prescribed Therapy

Finger Printing

• Requires prospective school district employees and applicants to be fingerprinted • Background checks are conducted

Understanding the Individual: Risk and Protective Factors

• Some students are violent, • Most kids are not.

• Some youth use drugs.

• Others don’t • WHY??????

RISK FACTORS:

• • • • • INDIVIDUAL:

Hyperactivity, concentration problems, restlessness and risk taking Aggressiveness Early initiation of violent behavior Involvement in other forms of anti-social behavior

• • • • •

FAMILY: Parental criminality child abuse Low level of parental involvement Too many family changes…

RISK FACTORS ( CONTINUED)

• • •

PEER RELATED Delinquent siblings, peers Gang membership

• • • •

SCHOOL : Academic failure Truancy, dropping out/non-completer Frequent transitions

• • • • •

COMMUNITY/NEIGHBORHOOD Poverty Community disorganization Exposure to violence High crime involving adults

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PROTECTIVE FACTORS

INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS BONDING OPPORTUNITIES HEALTHY ADULT ROLE MODEL(S)

The

DOMAINS… EDUCATION LAWS/REGULATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Assets and their impact on the total person…

• Think of a person in your life who positively influenced what you accomplished in your lifetime.

• Share this story with the person next to you stating the relationship and the action that influenced you.

• Closing remarks • Reminder about forms • Video

Purpose is the spark of life. If children have no purpose in life, their energy remains waiting for an opportunity to use it. The result may be destruction to self or to others.

As educators, we have an obligation to funnel their energy into something positive, into something that will impact the rest of their lives. As adults, we have the responsibility to make learning environments safe.