1. African American Community Parent Academy
Finding Solutions to School Concerns

2. Session Overview Towanda Brown
Welcome & Introductions
African American Community Parent Academy Overview
Upcoming Sessions
Register Today at

3. Today’s Outcomes
Gain an increased understanding of how student discipline is determined
Become familiar with options available when bullying occurs
Become familiar with processes to resolve school related concerns
Become familiar with the roles of the School Resource Officer

4. Reserved Time For Questions/ Comments
Questions Should Be General
Put “Comments” on its own line.
Presenters Will Be Available After Presentation

5. Phone Check True or False
Students can be suspended for being disrespectful to an adult.
Students can receive a consequence for an infraction occurring in the community.
Students, parents, and community members can submit a bullying report anonymously.
All students should receive the same consequence for the same infraction.
If a parent has a school concern he/she should contact the building administrator.

6. Student Code of Conduct
Helps to ensure consequences are administered fairly, equitably, and consistently
Student - be respectful and courteous, seek peaceful means to resolve conflict, follow school rules and policies
Staff - develop positive and meaningful relationships, involve parents in fostering positive behavior, establish clear rules and administer consequences fairly, consistently, and equitably
Parent - talk with child about appropriate behavior, have regular contact with school, work with school staff to address behavior concerns

7. Range of Responses Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
Conference with Student
Time Out
Loss of Privileges
Level 1
Conference with Student/Parent
Temporary Removal from Class
Loss of Privileges
Level 2
Detention
In-School Suspension
Remove Extracurricular Activities
Level 3
Short Term Suspension
In-School Suspension
Alternative Education Setting
Level 4
Long Term Suspension
Extended Suspension
Alternative Education Setting
Level 5

8. Phone Check
True or False - Students can be suspended for being disrespectful to an adult.
Fully underlined “disrespectful”
False

9. What Did You Notice?

10. Determining the Appropriate Response
Age Appropriateness of the Response
Severity of the Incident
Student’s Previous Violations
Impact on Other Students
If the Offense Posed a Threat to the Health or Safety of Others
If the Student has an Individualized Education Plan or a 504 Plan
Any Specific Responses Articulated in Board of Education Policy

11. Phone Check
True or False - All students should receive the same consequence for the same infraction. .
False

13. Bullying, Cyber-bullying, Intimidation & Harassment

14. Why have a Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment & Intimidation Policy
The purpose of the policy is to establish expectations for maintaining a safe and respectful school climate and workplace where bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation are not tolerated.
It provides standards for identifying and preventing bullying behavior, as well as intervening and supporting students and staff who are exhibiting bullying behavior or who are targets/victims of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation.
Changed “or” to “and” in “a safe and respectful school environment AND workplace.” Indented paragraphs. Second paragraph is awkward. Altered the title slightly

15. Phone Check
True or False - Students, parents, and community members can submit a bullying report anonymously. .
True

16. Reporting Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment & Intimidation
Verbal Reporting - Inform a staff member.
Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment & Intimidation Reporting Form - Submit reporting form to staff member. Reporting forms can be accessed by contacting the school or downloaded from the HCPSS website.
Sprigeo - Parents and community members can access the form from the HCPSS website.

17. School Responsibilities
The report will be shared with a school administrator
Verbal reports will be documented using the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, & Intimidation Reporting Form
Administrator will conduct investigation within two school days of receiving the BHI form and take corrective action
Administrator will notify the parents of the target/victim as well as the offender
The offender will be informed that retaliation against the target/victim or bystander is strictly prohibited

18. Phone Check
True or False - Students can receive a consequence for an infraction occurring in the community.
True

19. Going Beyond Violating Procedures & Policy
PFC Linkins
Howard County Police Department

21. Resolving School Related Concerns

22. It Depends… Phone Check
True or False - If a parent has a school concern he/she should contact the building administrator.
It Depends…

23. Resolving School Concerns & Disagreements
Informal Process
1st Level: Address concern with staff member who is most closely and directly involved to reach a mutually agreed upon decision.
Problem: I am concerned about the amount of homework a teacher is assigning.
Action: Contact the classroom teacher and express the concern.

24. Resolving School Concerns & Disagreements
Informal Process
2nd Level: Contact a school administrator
Problem: I have attempted to communicate with the classroom teacher multiple times and the teacher never responded.
Action: Contact the principal or assistant principal to assist.

25. Resolving School Concerns & Disagreements
Formal Process
1st Level: Outline specific concerns by completing Part 1 of the Parent Concern Form and submit this form to the principal.
Problem: I have had repeated concerns with a teacher. I am requesting a class change for my child.

27. Resolving School Concerns & Disagreements
Formal Process
Problem: I have repeated concerns with a teacher. I am requesting a class change.
Action: Meet with principal to discuss a class change.
Principal will…
Contact parent - 3 school days to arrange a meeting
Document agreements & any unresolved issues
Complete Part II – send to parent – 10 school days

28. Resolving School Concerns & Disagreements
Formal Process – Administrative Director
2nd Level: A review will be conducted by the Administrative Director
Communicate decision/recommendation within 10 school days
3rd Level: Executive Director, School Improvement and Administration
Communicate decision/recommendation within 15 school days

29. Ombudsman Services of the Ombudsman include:
Confidential discussion of your concern to the extent possible
Research of applicable Board of Education policies and procedures
Assistance with referrals to individuals who can help solve the problem
Assistance with the HCPSS problem resolution process
Facilitation of communication/discussion, as needed
Changed 3rd bullet to assistance from assist – to match other slides

30. School Concern Scenarios
1 = Staff Member
2 = School Administrator
3 = Principal
4 = Director
5 = Executive Director
10=Ombudsman

31. A child informs his parent that a student in the class has been teasing him.
Answer: 1
1 = Staff Member
2 = School Administrator
3 = Principal
4 = Administrative Director
5 = Executive Director
10 = Ombudsman

32. During a PTA sponsored event, a parent observes the principal communicating information that was offensive.
Answer: 3,4
1 = Staff Member
2 = School Administrator
3 = Principal
4 = Administrative Director
5 = Executive Director
10 = Ombudsman

33. A parent met with the assistant principal about an altercation his child was in. The parent was unhappy with the assistant principal’s decision.
Answer: 2,3
1 = Staff Member
2 = School Administrator
3 = Principal
4 = Administrative Director
5 = Executive Director
10 = Ombudsman

34. A parent contacted the administrative director
A parent contacted the administrative director. The school team denied the parent’s request for retention. The administrative director supported the school team’s decision.
Answer: 5
1 = Staff Member
2 = School Administrator
3 = Principal
4 = Administrative Director
5 = Executive Director
10 = Ombudsman

35. A parent requests for her child to be placed in an above grade level math class. The teacher shares that he does not believe the student will be successful and denies the parent’s request. The parent disagrees.
Took off parentheses around (2, 3)
Answer: 2,3
1 = Staff Member
2 = School Administrator
3 = Principal
4 = Administrative Director
5 = Executive Director
10 = Ombudsman

37. Finding Solutions to School Concerns
Formatted Frank’s to match other s
Changed Rosanne’s positions from “Specialists” to “Specialist”; Put Anti-bullying on one line
Towanda Brown, Vice Chair, TCOE
Frank V. Eastham Jr., Executive Director, School Improvement and Administration
(410)
Ron Morris, Administrative Director, Elementary
(410)
Rosanne Wilson, Specialist for Positive Behavior Supports & Anti-bullying (410)