SAFE SCHOOLS AGAINST

VIOLENCE IN EDUCATION (S.A.V.E.)

CertificationYou will NOT receive a certificate.A note will appear on your FLCC

Transcripts next to this health class that you have completed this training.

Violence What is Violence? Is it new to Americans? Do any of these create violence in America?

◦ Guns◦ Divorce◦ Unemployment◦ Poverty◦ Diversity◦ Video Games◦ Music◦ Sports

Do other countries have these same issues but are less violent?

Why?

Project SAVEAt the close of the 2000

legislative session a bill was passed in New York state known as S.A.V.E.

SAVE addresses many important issues in education.

The following components must be included in each NYS school district to comply with this bill:

1. School Safety PlanEvery district must develop a

comprehensive district-wide safety plan.

It must include policies and procedures for responding to threats and acts of violence.

Prevention and Intervention strategies.

The “Umbrella” of all safety plans.

Policies and Procedures for: Threats Violence Prevention and Intervention for:

◦ Security training, Conflict resolution, Peer mediation, Youth courts, Extended day programs

Contacting Law Enforcement & Parents Building Security Early Detection Responding to bomb threats, hostages, intruders,

kidnappers Improving communication among students and

students with staff Hall monitors and other school safety personnel Annual training for staff and students

2. Building Level Emergency Response Plan.Includes policies and procedures

for safe evacuation, transportation, sheltering

Designation of the emergency response team and post-incident response team

Internal and external communication system

Implementation of incident command system

Plan must include:Procedures for safe evacuation

◦Routes, shelters, medical needs, transportation, notification of parents

Floor plans, blueprints, road maps

Conduct Drills to test the planSecuring and restricting access

to school

3. Code of ConductEach school must have a code of

conduct to maintain order. Including:◦Dress and language◦Security◦Removal from classroom◦Discipline◦Detention & suspension policies◦Procedures for contacting parents and

law enforcement◦Suspension periods for disruptive and

violent individuals

Disruptive & ViolentDisruptive-

◦ Is substantially disruptive of the education process or interferes with the teacher’s authority over the classroom.

Violent-◦Commits an act of violence on a

teacher, employee, or student◦Has, displays, or threatens use of a gun,

knife, or dangerous weapon◦Destroys property of the school,

teacher, or fellow student

4. Teacher and Principal AuthorityAllows teachers and principals to remove

disruptive and violent students from the classroom consistent with the code of conduct

Principals can suspend students from schoolo Removal Procedures:

◦ Teacher refers to administration◦ Administration can suspend up to 5 days without

delegation from Board of Education◦ Procedures for continued education for removed

pupil◦ Principal, parents, and student informed why

student was removed

5. Violent Incident ReportingSchools must report annually to

the NYS commisioner of education:◦Number of violent incidences◦Types of violence◦Number of suspensions◦Locations◦Weapons◦Actions taken by school◦Ages and grades

6. Character EducationSchools must teach civility,

citizenship, and character education in K-12◦Honesty◦Tolerance◦Responsibility◦Respect◦Laws & Rules◦Courtesy◦Dignity◦Other positive traits

7. Health CurriculumThe board of regents must review

the Health curriculum to ensure that students have sufficient time and instruction to develop skills to address issues of violence prevention and mental health

8. Violence Prevention EducationThe NYS Comissioner must

develop and distribute a violence prevention package to schools for use in health and related areas

9. Violence Prevention Training

Every year there must be a superintendents conference day to address and review violence prevention education

All individuals who are seeking to get certified as a teacher, coach, or employee must complete this 2 hour violence prevention training

10. Whistle Blower ProtectionAn employee may not be

disciplined or fired for reporting any violent incident and they are protected from any civil liability

11. FingerprintingAll new school employees must

be fingerprinted for a criminal history background check

May cost around $100 and can be performed at a local BOCES, District Office, or Police Station

12. Assaults on TeachersIs a Class D Felony

◦The sentence for Class D felony offenses is determined by the court but will not less than 2 years or be more than 7 years. The minimum and maximum sentence for felony offenses can be enhanced for any crime of a violent nature or one with aggravated circumstances, and reduced for mitigating circumstances. When determining a sentence the court takes into account the nature of the crime and the character and history of the offender. Juvenile offenders face up to four years imprisonment for Class D felonies.

13. Child Abuse ReportingAll school district employees and

SUNY students are Mandated Reporters

Defines Child AbuseRequires immediate reporting of

reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect has occurred

WWW.NYSMANDATEDREPORTER.ORG

14. Prohibit Silent Resignations

School districts can not allow a person to resign rather than disclosing allegations of child abuse and violence

This is punishable as a Class E felony. Up to 4 years in jail and a $20 thousand dollar fine

Individuals who report in good faith can not get in trouble for doing so

16. Court NotificationRequires courts to notify schools about

juvenile delinquency adjudicationsCoordination between the juvenile

justice system and schoolsNot part of permanent recordInformation can be used in the

execution of a student’s educational plan

A student can get in trouble at school for acting negatively in his or her community

Risk FactorsIndividual

◦Hyperactivity, restless, risk taker◦Aggressive◦Early initiation of violent behavior◦Antisocial◦Deviant attitude

Risk FactorsFamily

◦Criminal Parents◦Child Abuse◦Poor family management◦Low parental involvement and

bonding◦Parental substance abuse◦Parent-child separation

Risk FactorsSchool

◦Academic Failure◦Low Bonding to school◦Truancy or dropping out◦Frequent school transitions

Risk FactorsPeers

◦Delinquent siblings◦Gang membership◦Delinquent friends

Community◦Poverty◦Disorganized◦Guns & Drugs◦Adults involved in crime◦Violence and racial prejudice

Situation-1What if a student makes a threat

with the absence of imminent danger?

Ex. “I hate Billy! I’m going to kill that kid after school”.

Appropriate ResponseDo not dismiss the threat as idle talkImmediately talk with the studentIf they refuse to talk, is argumentative,

defensive, or continue to express violent thoughts or plans, arrange for an immediate evaluation by a qualified mental health professional (school psychologist).

Do not leave them aloneContact local persons according to your

School Safety Plan. Counselor, parents, principal, or police if needed.

Situation-2What if the student makes a

threat that puts everyone at danger and they have a dangerous weapon?

Appropriate ResponseThis is an emergencyAlert administration and enact your Schools

Emergency Response PlanShould include contacting police, school

psychologist, local mental health agencies, & parents or guardians

Keep your distance and stay behind a barrierDo not be aggressive Realize you are not in control of the situation

and avoid projecting authorityTime is your friend- it can possibly diffuse the

situation until police or a school psychologist arrives

For more information:

http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/youthviolence/schoolviolence/index.html

http://www.sshs.samhsa.gov/initiative/resources.aspx

http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/school-violence