1. South Carolina Safe School Climate Act (59-63-110) 2006

2. The South Carolina Safe School Climate Act 2006 What is it? This Act, State Statute 59-63-110, was created to require schools to have policies in place to deal with bullying and punish harassment, intimidation, or bullying among public school students in the state.

3. The South Carolina Safe School Climate Act 2006 "Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means a gesture, an electronic communication, or a written, verbal, physical, or sexual act that is reasonably perceived to have the effect of: (a) harming a student physically or emotionally or damaging a student's property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage; or (b) insulting or demeaning a student or group of students causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.

4. What are examples of bullying Gestures Electronic communication Written, oral, or sexual acts Harassment, intimidation, or related bullying behavior Locations Classrooms Bus/vehicles Bus stop Any school function Determined by harming a student (physically or emotionally) Damaging a student property reasonable fear- students afraid of being harmed Disruption of school order through insulting/demeaning students Requirements Non-engagement of bullied student Non-retaliation Reported to officials Policy procedures Prevention and training programs

5. The South Carolina Safe School Climate Act 2006 It may have the following effects: Causing physical or emotional harm Damage students personal items May cause students to fear that harm will be done to them Cause substantial disruption or interference with orderly operation of the school.

6. The South Carolina Safe School Climate Act 2006 What is considered school grounds under this legislation? Classroom School bus Bus stop Any school-sponsored activity (field trips or pep rallies) Any function where the school is responsible for the child

7. The South Carolina Safe School Climate Act 2006 In order to protect students and avoid litigation, what should you do if you suspect bullying? Litigation is arising regarding bullying and its effects in schools. For example, Dylan Theno, a Kansas student, was awarded $440,000 in 2006 for damages due to negligence on behalf of the school for their failure in stopping bullying resulting in the student suffering five years of abuse and harassment at school.

8. How does the law affect me?

9. What should You do? Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying As provided in the South Carolina Safe School Climate Act, the District prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying of a student by another student or students, staff, or third parties that interfere with or disrupt a students ability to learn and the schools responsibility to educate its students in a safe and orderly environment whether in a classroom, on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, at an official school bus stop, at a school-sponsored activity or event, whether or not it is held on school premises, or at another program or function where the school is responsible for the student. The District expects students to conduct themselves in an orderly, courteous, dignified and respectful manner. Students and employees have a responsibility to know and respect the policies, rules and regulations of the school and District. Source: (Summary of Policy JCDAG) Greenville County Schools

10. District Consequences for Bullying If the investigation determines that harassment, intimidation, or bullying has occurred, the administration shall take reasonable, timely, age-appropriate, and effective corrective action. Examples of corrective action include, but are not limited to, disciplinary action against the aggressor, up to and including termination of an employee or expulsion of a student; special training or other interventions; apologies; dissemination of statements that the school does not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or bullying; independent reassessment of student work; and/or tutoring. Individuals, including students, employees, parents, and volunteers, may also be referred to law enforcement officials. The District will take all other appropriate steps to correct or rectify the situation. http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd/parents/docs/StudentBehaviorCode.pdf

11. Student/School Remedial Measures for Bullying restitution and restoration mediation peer support group corrective instruction or other relevant learning or service experience supportive student interventions behavioral assessment or evaluation as appropriate behavioral management plan assignment of leadership responsibilities (e.g., hallway or bus monitor) involvement of school disciplinarian student counseling parent conferences recommendation of therapy/treatment Source: http://pickens.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/142567/F ile/BacktoSchool2010/BacktoSchool2010Web.pdf

12. District Remedial Measures for Bullying school and community surveys for determining the conditions contributing to harassment, intimidation or bullying adoption of bullying prevention programs school policy and procedures revisions modifications of schedules adjustments in hallway traffic targeted use of monitors (e.g., hallway, cafeteria, bus) small or large group presentations for addressing the behaviors and the responses to the behaviors general professional development programs for certificated and non- certificated staff parent conferences family counseling involvement of parent-teacher organizations involvement of community-based organizations development of a general bullying response plan peer support groups law enforcement (e.g., school resource office, juvenile officer) involvement Source: http://pickens.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/142567/ File/BacktoSchool2010/BacktoSchool2010Web.pdf

13. Causes of Bullying According to research conducted by Olweus: Information about bullying suggests that there are three interrelated reasons why students bully. 1. Students who bully have strong needs for power and (negative) dominance. 2. Students who bully find satisfaction in causing injury and suffering to other students. 3. Students who bully are often rewarded in some way for their behavior with material or psychological rewards. Source Retrieved 26 June 2011http://www.olweus.org/public/bullying.page

14. What are the implications for teachers? Schools need Bullying Policies in place Teacher education programs Identifying and preventing Bullying

15. What can you do to help? Classroom Covenants Modeling mutual respect Educating students about bullying Changing the classroom/school culture Integrate character education/anti-bullying into the curriculum Step in if a child is being bullied Take reports seriously-notify appropriate contact person immediately

16. Where Do We Go From Here? Find out what your schools anti-bullying policy is and if there is a program. Work with your grade level or special area team to come up with a plan to address bullying this year. What can we do to create a school culture that doesnt tolerate bullying? Create a school anti-bullying slogan.

17. Conclusion We are obligated to help break the cycle of bullying. If you see bullying occurring or a student reports it to you, you are responsible for taking action and reporting it.

18. Classroom Resources http://www.kidpower.org/resources/articles/preve nt- bullying.html?gclid=CMO23O7b1KkCFYfs7QodbSQ EOA (Empowerment for kids to stand up against bullies)http://www.kidpower.org/resources/articles/preve nt- bullying.html?gclid=CMO23O7b1KkCFYfs7QodbSQ EOA https://czone.eastsussex.gov.uk/supportingchildren /healthwelfare/bullying/Documents/Resource%201 %20- %20Bullying%20Books%20for%20Children%20and %20Young%20People.pdf (Using childrens books to teach about bullying)https://czone.eastsussex.gov.uk/supportingchildren /healthwelfare/bullying/Documents/Resource%201 %20- %20Bullying%20Books%20for%20Children%20and %20Young%20People.pdf http://facs.pppst.com/bullying.html (Many interactive games and PowerPoint Presentations for the classroom)http://facs.pppst.com/bullying.html

19. Resources McDaniel, T.R. (2012) School Law for South Carolina Educators. Catawba Publishing: Charlotte, NC. Terry, T.M. (2010) Blocking the Bullies: Has South Carolinas Safe School Climate Act Made Public Schools Safer?. The Clearing House 83(96- 100). 26 June 2011