Notes

Outline

Welcome This presentation was developed to provide common information and support to staff in each school. Thanks to the members of the joint BEA-District Safety, Health, and Student  Discipline Committee for help in creating this presentation.

Student learning is our highest priority Students must feel safe in order to learn. Staff must feel safe in order to provide learning experiences.

When in doubt Your supervisor is the first person you should talk to if you have questions about policies and procedures to support your work with students. In most cases, there are district policies and procedures that provide guidance and prescribe steps to be taken to ensure that there is a safe learning and teaching environment.

Student Responsibilities Policy 3200 District Policy 3200 and Procedures define student rights and responsibilities, including behaviors that are inappropriate, i.e., vandalism, profanity, assault, and all forms of harassment. Each school should have a discipline plan that is reviewed annually with staff, students, and parents. Staff should know the basic provisions of the Board Policy as well as the school plan.

Student Responsibilities Policy 3200 Students have the responsibility to respect the rights of others and to exercise self-discipline. Students who do not meet this expectation are subject to a variety of discipline sanctions for their behaviors. Any action short of removing – expelling – a student from school is considered discipline.

Student Responsibilities Policy 3200 A suspension of 10 or fewer days is considered a short term suspension and can only be imposed by a building administrator or a principal designee if the administrator is out of the building. A removal from school of 11 days or more is considered a long-term suspension.  It can only be imposed by an administrator or designee.

Student Responsibilities Policy 3200 An emergency expulsion is the immediate removal of a student from school.  It is imposed when a student poses an immediate and continuing threat to: Him/herself, Other students or staff, The substantial disruption of the educational process.

Student Responsibilities Policy 3200 Expulsion is the removal of a student from the school system.  Expulsion means that all services provided to the student by the system are terminated until such time as the student is readmitted to the district.

Student Responsibilities Policy 3200 Discipline for students participating in the special education program is defined by both Board Policy and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 180-40 and WAC 392-172. For such students, there is an additional set of procedures to be followed before suspension or expulsion can be considered by the school administrator.

Student Responsibilities Policy 3200 “Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” means any intentional written, verbal, or physical act that: Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. Such harassment is not allowed and not legal.

Teacher Authority WAC 180-40-290 gives the classroom teacher the right to remove a student immediately from a class or activity being supervised by a teacher, provided that: The student is sent to a designated school authority or the principal; The student’s presence poses an immediate and continuing threat to himself, others or the educational process;

Teacher Authority – Continued The principal or designated authority must meet with the student as soon as reasonably possible following the student’s removal to initiate appropriate corrective action; The administrator is required to meet with the student no later than the next school day; and Prior to or at the student’s return to class, the administrator must inform the teacher of the action taken regarding the student.

Teacher Authority – Continued

Student Rights - Confidentiality

Student Rights - Confidentiality

Student Rights - Confidentiality

Student Rights - Confidentiality Under Washington law, minors aged 13 and over may consent to substance abuse and mental health treatment – in out-patient facilities only – without parental consent.  Information given to counselors, nurses, intervention specialists, etc. is considered confidential and cannot be revealed, unless     there is the perception of a threat to the safety of the student.  If the health or physical or mental safety of the student is in jeopardy, the staff member may communicate pertinent information to the parent.

Student Rights – Media Issues The principal or designee should be aware ahead of time of any media contacts at your school. Staff should notify the administrator of any media contacts. Whenever possible, parents should be made aware in advance of media visits where their child may be interviewed or photographed.  You may want to get a parent signature.

Student Rights – Media Issues Parents may request that information and photographs of their children not be released.  Such parental requests for privacy are kept at each school and the School Information Office. For all students with special needs, a signed release must be obtained before being identified as a student in a special program. Policy 4120/P - Communication and Public Information Policy 4121 - Staff Communication Responsibilities

Student Rights Directory Information includes student photo and parent name. Teachers should know WHICH parents have requested that Directory Information be withheld and make sure that this request is followed.

Student Safety     New All school district employees who suspect the abuse or neglect of a child must make an oral report to Child Protective Services (CPS) within 48 hours after there is reasonable belief that abuse or neglect has occurred. The employee must also notify his/her supervisor orally or in writing (but not by e-mail) within one working day of the report to CPS. Policy 3421 All staff are expected to enforce the school discipline plan and hold students accountable for their behavior.     Policy 3200

Student Safety Student safety measures also include: ONLY releasing students to adults who are authorized contacts. Noticing and considering what steps to take in response to unusual, frightening or threatening written or verbal interactions.

Student Safety Providing the required, regular emergency drills for FIRE, EARTHQUAKE, and LOCKDOWN, and SHELTER IN PLACE. Each site has a SAFETY MANUAL found in the school office in a RED BINDER.  The manual contains emergency procedures and information.  Staff should be aware of its location and contents and should regularly practice the procedures.

Student Safety Students whose behavior constitutes a threat to themselves, other students or staff should be brought to the attention of the parents, administrators, and the District’s Specialized Student Planning Team.  Work with your principal or program supervisor to address the issues. FOCUS on students who are physically or sexually aggressive. DEVELOP a safety plan and institute temporary measures – assigning IA time or imposing schedule changes.

Staff Safety All staff should be safe at the work site. There is an OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY and ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAM binder (look for an ORANGE cover)  in each school office that describes procedures. All injuries should be reported, even those that do not need treatment. The District is prepared to legally support appropriate teacher/staff behaviors.

Staff Safety All injuries are reviewed and steps are taken to address the cause. If you are injured by a student, there are additional steps taken by the District. All injuries are reviewed by the Deputy Superintendent for further discipline or interventions with the student.  The interventions may include use of the Specialized Student Planning Team or an IEP team to review behavior plans or placement.

Staff Safety Staff are NOT expected to take physical or emotional abuse from other staff members, from students, or from other adults, including parents both at school and in the community. State law provides protection to administrators, teachers, classified employees and other students against intimidation by threat of force or violence.    RCW 28A.635.100 Staff who feel they are being or have been abused, harassed, or injured should contact their supervisor or the Executive Director  for Human Resources.

Emergency Closures During bad weather, schools are sometimes closed or have delayed openings. When school is closed, teachers and Instructional Assistants are not expected to come to work.  Snow days are made up at the end of the year.  If you have questions about whether you should report, contact your supervisor. When school is delayed, employees report to work at their regular times whenever possible. Bus transportation is often limited on these days and snow routes are in effect.

Emergency Closures School and transportation schedules are generally communicated by 6 a.m. on these mornings and are available by Tuning to broadcast media, Calling 676-6400 for a recorded message, Checking the Internet at http://www.schoolreport.org/    www.bham.wednet.edu

Emergency Communication Staff at each school site should annually review the emergency preparedness plan and understand the various roles and responsibilities. Schools are encouraged to create phone or contact “trees” to allow speedy communication as needed.

For More Information The District Policy Manual is in each school office and also available online via the District Intranet at www.bham.wednet.edu The state laws (RCWs and WACs) are in the Common School Manual in each school office.  This book is updated annually.  The laws are also available online at www.k12.wa.us The Occupational Safety and Accident Prevention  and Emergency Procedure binders are in each school office. Your principal, your school supervisor, and other Central Services staff are all available to help.