HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING POLICY AND PR0CEDURES Franklin Township Public Schools Staff Training School Year

HIB Policy Update  Franklin’s new HIB policy was Board approved on August 25,  Major changes to the policy include: State Definition of HIB Expanded Additional Roles for Some Staff Duty to Report Expanded - Timelines Added Investigation Process Defined Reporting Requirements Appeal Process Added

Revisions to HIB Policy  State definition of HIB expanded. A single incident of behavior can be construed as an act of HIB.  Behavior “off school grounds” is now included if it “substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of the other students”.

Revisions to HIB Policy Additional Roles for Some Staff  New roles and responsibilities for some staff members: District Anti-Bullying Coordinator - Orvyl Wilson, oversees the school level anti-bullying specialists, tracks and reports data on HIB. School Level Anti-Bullying Specialists - Guidance Counselor at each school. This individual will be responsible to lead the investigation of all reported incidents of HIB. School Safety Team – Already in place at each school. Will now also review HIB data to develop, foster, and maintain a positive school climate by focusing on the on-going, systemic process and practices in the school and to address school climate issues such as harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

Revisions to HIB Policy Duties and Timelines  All staff, contracted employees and volunteers who come in contact with students have a duty to report incidents of HIB which they witnessed or about which they have reliable information.  Staff and contracted employees must report the incident verbally to the principal/designee on the day that they become aware of the HIB.

Revisions to HIB Policy Duties and Timelines  Staff and contracted employees must then submit a written form, reporting the incident within two school days of the day that they become aware of the HIB.

HIB Incident Reporting Form (Form 1)

Investigation Process Principal/Designee Receives Form 1 Calls parents of those involved And Sends victim for counseling And Refers case to Anti Bullying Specialist Using Form 1 Principal/Designee

Investigation Process Anti-Bullying Specialist Conduct Investigation  Anti-Bullying Specialist Will: Interview all parties involved including witnesses; Provide support to victim; Carefully examine the facts; Make a determination if the incident was HIB; Notify the principal of the results of the investigation, noting the reason why HIB was or was not found.  Investigation completed within 10 school days.

HIB Investigation Form ( Form Two)

Important Note  The building principal, as the person primarily charged with maintaining the safety of his/her school, may respond to alleged acts of HIB in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, offering remediation or disciplinary consequences prior to the completion of the HIB investigation.

Post HIB Investigation  Principal Reviews the completed forms; Determine Discipline or Remedial Action Forward All Information to Superintendent via the District Anti Bullying Coordinator (Orvyl Wilson) within two days.  Superintendent Reviews the results of the investigation; Reports the results to the BOE at the next meeting. Reports the results to the parents of the parties involved.

Post HIB Investigation  Parents may request an appeal of the determination via the BOE.  School Safety Team Anti-Bullying Specialist chairs the team They meet monthly to review HIB data, look for trends, discuss interventions (school wide or student specific) Review results of previous interventions.

HIB School Safety Team Form F orm Three

Post HIB Investigation Reporting Out  Reporting to Information on reported incidents of HIB will also be provided to the Board of Education and the public at a public hearing which will be held twice a year, between September 1 and January 1 and between January 1 and June 30 wherein the Superintendent will also report on all acts of violence and vandalism. The information shall also be reported via the Electronic Violence and Vandalism Reporting System once during each reporting period between September 1 and January 1 and between January 1 and June 30, to the Department of Education.

Promoting a Positive Culture in Our Schools  Awareness of the new HIB policy and procedures Staff and student families to receive copy of the HIB Policy; Policy and Anti-Bullying Specialist information posted on district and school web sites;  Student awareness and HIB intervention Classroom and/or small group assemblies for students – week one of the school year with on-going curriculum being developed; Week of Respect activities (early October)  Department of Education to issue HIB grades to schools and district.

THANK YOU! HAVE A GREAT YEAR! & REMEMBER... IF YOU SEE IT OR HEAR IT YOU MUST REPORT IT