Safe School Climate Act

Lander University Seminar

Contents
Ten Components of Safe School Climate Act District-level implementation of Act Definitions: bullying, intimidation, sexual harassment Examples of direct, indirect and cyber bullying Characteristics: bullies, victims Consequences (according to the Safe School Climate Act)

Contents (continued)
Remediation for Students (according to the Safe
School Climate Act)

Ways children can avoid being bullied What to do if you are bullied

Remediation for Schools (according to the Safe School

Climate Act)

Practical tips for role-playing

Reporting Requirements References and Resources Directions for Required Online Quiz

Safe School Climate Act

(passed June 12, 2006)

According to the Act, school districts must implement the following ten components for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. 1. A statement prohibiting harassment, intimidation and bullying 2. Meaningful definitions of the above behaviors 3. Descriptions of appropriate student behavior 4. Consequences and remedial actions for persons committing acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying and for persons engaging in reprisal or retaliation

Safe School Climate Act

(components)
5. Procedures for reporting these acts
must identify the appropriate school personnel responsible for taking the report and investigating the complaint

6. Procedures for prompt investigation of these acts 7. Statements that prohibit retaliation against individuals who report harassment, intimidation or bullying 8. Consequences and remedial action for those found to have falsely accused another

Safe School Climate Act

(components)
9. A process for discussing the districts harassment, intimidation, or bullying policy with students 10. A statement of how the policy is to be publicized, including notice that the policy applies to participation in school-sponsored functions

How are districts implementing the required components of the Safe School Climate Act?
South Carolina State Board of Education Model Policy for Act 353
The local school board should ensure that the school districts policy is included in the school districts publication of the comprehensive rules, procedures, and standards of conduct for schools and in the students handbook. The school district shall involve parents and guardians, school employees, volunteers, students, administrators, and community representatives in the process of creating the policy.

Bullying: Definition
Bullying happens when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose and the person being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself. Usually, bullying happens over and over.
US Dept of Health and Human Services

Bullying: Safe School Climate Act Definition

a) a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will have the effect of harming a student, physically or emotionally, or damaging the students property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his person or damage to his 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.
Model Policy for Act 353

Intimidation
Also known as cowing is intentional behavior which would cause a person fear of injury or harm. Typically, related to bullying or used to force someone to do something.

Sexual Harassment
Also known as the older cousin of bullying (Stein & Sjostrom, 1994) Looks Jokes Graffiti on walls Comments about body parts Grabbing Brushing against Forced to do something sexual

Examples of Direct Bullying

Punching, shoving, and other acts that hurt people physically Spreading bad rumors about people Teasing people in a mean way Getting certain people to "gang up" on others Keeping certain people out of a "group"
US Dept of Health and Human Services

Additional Examples of Direct Bullying

Poking Kicking Throwing things Stabbing Slapping Hitting Pulling hair Scratching Pinching Beating Tripping Choking

Indirect Bullying
Threat Gossip Refusing to socialize with Laughing at Name calling Silent treatment Manipulation Spreading lies/ rumors Staring at Excluding through closed body language Shunning

Cyber-bullying
Cyber-bullying is when children or teens bully each other using the Internet, mobile phones or other cyber technology. This can include Sending mean text, email, or instant messages Posting nasty pictures or messages about others in blogs or social networking sites Using someone else's user name to spread rumors or lies about someone
US Dept of Health and Human Services

Characteristics of Bullies
Aggressive Sometimes popular Unable to take anothers perspective Often rejected by other children/teens Difficulty solving problems without resorting to hurtful behaviors
DeHaan, 1997

Characteristics of Victims
Lonely, sometimes depressed Anxious around peers Easily distracted, difficulty concentrating in school Often have physical symptoms (especially stomach aches) Sometimes simply in wrong place at wrong time
Lajoie, McLellan, & Seddon, 2001

Safe Schools Climate Act: Consequences

Consequences shall be varied and graded according to the nature of the behavior, the developmental age of the student and the students history of problem behaviors and performance, and must be consistent with the district board of trustees approved code of student conduct. Remedial measures shall be designed to correct the problem behavior; prevent another occurrence of the problem; and protect the victim of the act.
Model Policy for Act 353

Safe Schools Climate Act: A Range of Possible Consequences

Admonishment; Temporary removal from the classroom; Deprivation of privileges; Classroom or administrative detention; Referral to disciplinarian; In-school suspension during the school week or the weekend; Out-of-school suspension; Legal action; and Expulsion.
Model Policy for Act 353

Examples of Remedial Measures for Students

Restitution and restoration; Mediation; Peer support group; Recommendations of a student behavior or ethics council; Corrective instruction or other relevant learning or service experience; Supportive student interventions; Behavioral assessment or evaluation as appropriate;

Examples of Remedial Measures for Students (continued)

Behavioral management plan, with benchmarks that are closely monitored; Assignment of leadership responsibilities (e.g., hallway or bus monitor); Involvement of school disciplinarian; Student counseling; Parent conferences; Student treatment or therapy.
Model Policy for Act 353

Ways Children Can Avoid Being Bullied

Try to stay away from bullies Play or socialize near adults Never walk alone walk with someone to/from school, etc If riding a bus, sit near bus driver

If Bullied
Call out for help/ report bullying Do not reply, if on-line Show message to adult and block messages from sender Follow catchy phrase Talk

WalkSquawk

Examples of Remedial Measures for School Environment

School and community surveys for determining the conditions contributing to harassment, intimidation or bullying; School culture change; School climate improvement; Adoption of research-based, systemic bullying prevention programs; School policy and procedures revisions; Modifications of schedules; Adjustments in hallway traffic;
Model Policy for Act 353

Examples of Remedial Measures for School Environment (continued)

Professional development plans for involved staff; Disciplinary action for school staff who contributed to the problem; Supportive institutional interventions; Parent conferences; Family counseling; Involvement of parent-teacher organizations; Involvement of community-based organizations;
Model Policy for Act 353

Practical Tips for Role Playing Against Bullying

What to say in situations Act confident Strong body language Stand up for each other

Reporting Requirements for the Safe Schools Act

All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the principal or the principals designee. All other members of the school community, including students, parents, volunteers and visitors, are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy.
Model Policy for Act 353

On-Line Resources; Websites

US Department of Health and Human Resources: Stop Bullying Now definitions, webisodes, resources http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/what-is-bullying.aspx Blueprints for Violence Prevention Model Programs - http://www.colorado.edu/cspv/blueprints/ Stop Bullying Now- http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov Cyber bullying Webisode:http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/webisodes/quiz. aspx?EpisodeNumber=5

On-Line Resources; Websites

Channing-Bete Bullying and Violence Prevention - http://www.channing-bete.com/education/bullying-violenceprevent.html Bullying No Way: offers 51 resources for classroom teachers
http://www.bullyingnoway.org

Pacer Kids Against Bullying: activities for children and adults; additional resources
http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org Bullying and Sexual Harassment in Schools http://www.cfchildren.org/issues/bully/bullyharass/

References
LaHann, L. February 1997, Bullies, North Dakota State University Extension Department, retrieved July 9, 2009 from http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/famsci/fs570w.htm Lajoie, G., McLellan, A., & Seddon, C. (2001). Take action against bullying. Coquitlam, B.C., Canada: Bully Bware productions. National Professional Resources: info@nprinc.ccsend.com Schoolwide Approach The Educators Guide to Preventing Bullying Stein, N., & Sjostrom, L. (1994). Flirting or hurting? A teacher's guide on student-to-student sexual harassment in schools. Washington, DC: National Education Association. Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (full citation?)

Questions & Whats Next

Take online quiz in Blackboard 10 multiple choice and true/false questions 60 minute time limit If you score less than 80% you will be required to attend an additional Safe Schools session.