Required In-service Informational Items

August 27, 2012

Table of ContentsInstructions:Read the following required policies and RCW’s:1. Attendance2. Reporting Child Abuse3. Sexual Harassment4. Harassment and Bullying5. Boundary Invasion6. Reporting Process

Attendance

1. Take Attendance at the Beginning of the Period

2. If a student is tardy to first period, mark the student as tardy and send the student to the office. If a student is tardy after first period, just mark the attendance as tardy and keep the student in class.

3. Record Attendance for All Class Periods & School Days

4. Teachers Must Keep a Paper Copy of attendance as Well

Reporting Child Abuse

Reporting Child Abuse

• RCW 26.44.030

• When in doubt, report.

• Notify Administrator

Child Abuse Reporting

• Protecting students is one of our greatest responsibilities in public education. As school district employees, classified and certificated, are required by law to report suspected child abuse regardless of the perceived source of abuse. Suspected means you have reasonable cause to believe abuse has occurred. You don’t have to be positive.

Reporting Child Abuse• Employees are reporters not investigators. Reports are to be

made to a supervisor or administrator who will cause a report to be made to law enforcement if reasonable cause exists to believe that abuse has occurred. An employee who fails to make such report violates state statute and is subject to discipline up to and including dismissal.

• Employees must protect student confidentiality and must not discuss situations with other employees, students, or individuals.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment• What is Sexual Harassment?• Staff must report harassment incidents to

administration.– A form of sex discrimination– Consists of unwanted sexual overtures so severe or

pervasive they disrupt the learning or work environment.– Two Types:

• Quid pro quo - submission to harassment is a basis for employment or educational decisions.

• Hostile environment - the harassment creates an offensive work or learning environment.

Sexual Harassment

• Students are protected by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

• Staff is protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

• When in doubt, report incident to administrator or supervisor

Sexual HarassmentPolicy # 6590

• Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure 6590• Key Concept: Unwelcome– “unwelcomeness” is in the perception of the harassed.– Intent does not matter.– If conduct is welcome at first, then later becomes

unwelcome, the change must be communicated.– Complainant has no duty to tell the harasser before filing a

complaint except as above.– A good question is to ask yourself, “Would I want my

daughter or son to be on the receiving end of such behavior?”

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

HIB Policy/Procedure 3207

• Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying Policies, Procedures, and forms

Students Policy No. 3207 Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

• The Blaine School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/legal guardians, volunteers and patrons that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentionally written message or image – including those that are electronically submitted – verbal or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability, or other distinguishing characteristics, when an act, including that which occurs outside the school setting:

– Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property– Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education – Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening

educational environment – Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school

Students Policy No. 3207 Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

• “Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to: physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status and weight.

• “Intentional acts” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s). Behaviors/Expressions Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including, but not limited to, slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, graffiti, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral, physical or electronically transmitted messages or images.

• This policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the educational environment.

• Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation or bullying may still be prohibited by other district policies or building, classroom, or program rules.

Students Policy No. 3207 Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

• Prevention: The district will provide students with strategies aimed at preventing harassment, intimidation and bullying. In its efforts to train students, the district will seek partnerships with families, law enforcement and other community agencies.

• Interventions: Interventions are designed to remediate the impact on the targeted student(s) and others impacted by the violation, to change the behavior of the perpetrator, and to restore a positive school climate. The district will consider the frequency of incidents, developmental age of the student, and severity of the conduct in determining intervention strategies. Interventions will range from counseling, correcting behavior and discipline, to law enforcement referrals.

Students Policy No. 3207 Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

• Retaliation/False Allegations: Retaliation is prohibited and will result in appropriate discipline. It is a violation of this policy to threaten or harm someone for reporting harassment, intimidation, or bullying. It is also a violation of district policy to knowingly report false allegations of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Students or employees will not be disciplined for making a report in good faith. However, persons found to knowingly report or corroborate false allegations will be subject to appropriate discipline.

• Compliance Officer: The superintendent will appoint a compliance officer as the primary district contact to receive copies of all formal and informal complaints and ensure policy implementation. The name and contact information for the compliance officer will be communicated throughout the district.

HIB FAQQUESTION: What if we are reluctant to contact the family about the bullying incident?

ANSWER: The safety of the child is paramount! There may be rare situations where contacting home may threaten the

health and safety of the student.If this is the case:

- consult with other appropriate staff such as - counselors, administrators, psychologists, or social

workers.- Determine what is in the best interest of the child.- You may be able to involve the family at a

later time.

School Safety Center: http://www.k12.wa.us/SafetyCenter/default.aspx

HIB FAQQUESTION: Parents of the target students often ask about discipline for the aggressor?

What can we say? What can we not say?

ANSWER:Tell them that the situation has been dealt with and that you are continuing to monitor all students involved.

Also remind them that all students have a right to privacy and you can not at liberty to share more.

School Safety Center: http://www.k12.wa.us/SafetyCenter/default.aspx

Boundary Invasion

Boundary Invasion• MAINTAINING PROFESSIONAL STAFF/STUDENT BOUNDARIES –

Policy 5253

• The purpose of this policy is to provide all staff, students, volunteers and community members with information to increase their awareness of their role in protecting children from inappropriate conduct by adults.

• The Blaine School District board of directors expects all staff members to maintain the highest professional, moral and ethical standards in their interaction with students. Staff members are required to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning, through consistently and fairly applied discipline and established and maintained professional boundaries.

• The interactions and relationships between staff members and students should be based upon mutual respect and trust, an understanding of the appropriate boundaries between adults and students in and outside of the educational setting, and consistency with the educational mission of the schools.

Boundary Invasion Continued• Staff members will not intrude on a student’s physical and emotional boundaries unless the intrusion is

necessary to serve an educational or physical, mental and/or emotional health purpose. An educational purpose is one that relates to the staff member’s duties in the district. Additionally, staff members are expected to be sensitive to the appearance of impropriety in their own conduct and the conduct of other staff when interacting with students. Staff members will discuss issues with their building administrator or supervisor whenever they suspect or are unsure whether conduct is inappropriate or constitutes a violation of this policy.

• The Blaine School District board of directors supports the use of technology to communicate for educational purposes. However, district employees are prohibited from inappropriate online socializing or from engaging in any conduct on social networking Web sites that violates the law, district policies or other generally recognized professional standards. Employees whose conduct violates this policy may face discipline and/or termination, consistent with the district’s policies, acceptable use agreement and collective bargaining agreements, as applicable.

How and When to Report Child Abuse, to

Administrators/Counselors

How to Report 1.When in doubt, report HIB, suspected child abuse, and sexual

harassment.

– Meet an administrator or counselor In-Person

– Complete an HIB form or Discipline Referral to report HIB, child abuse, or sexual harassment and give it to the administrator. Be clear about who the students are who are involved, what happened, when the incident being reported happened and where the incident happened.

I have reviewed and understand the information regarding:

• 1. Taking Attendance • 2. Reporting Child Abuse• 3. Harassment and Bullying Policy• 4. Sexual Harassment Information• 5. Boundary Invasion Policy• 6. How and When to Report Child Abuse/HIB issues/and

Sexual Harassment to administration/counselors.

• Printed Name: ________________• Signed Name: ________________• Date: ________________________