INTRODUCTION

Karen Fischer-Anderson

CSD Safety, Compliance and Title IX Coordinator

Email: kfischer-anderson@sau8.org

Cell Phone: (603) 406-1307

Office Phone: (603) 226-2187

Office locations:

• Room #3003, Concord High School, 170 Warren Street, Concord, NH 03301

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DUTIES &RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DISTRICT’S TITLE IX COORDINATOR

Prevention, Education, Investigation and Response

• Student Safety
• Abuse & Neglect
• Discrimination
• Sexual Harassment
• Sexual Violence
• Bullying & Cyberbullying
• Stalking
• Retaliation
• Independent – Report directly to the Superintendent
• Do not represent a complainant or alleged wrongdoer
• Process

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TOPICS FOR TODAY’S TRAINING

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Abuse & Neglect – Policy #432

Sexual Harassment – Policy #415

Child Sex Abuse Prevention – Policy #402

Bullying – Policy #539

Retaliation

Non-Discrimination - Policy #161

Professional Expectations – Policy #431

Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Students - #162 (NEW)

Pregnancy - Policy #528 (NEW)

All policies are posted on the Concord School District Website – School Board - Policies

CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT

• Student safety is a PRIORITY
• Under New Hampshire law (RSA 169-C:29), every person who has “reason to suspect” that a child has been abused or neglected is required to report that suspicion to the Division of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) or directly to the police @ 911.
• Under RSA 169-C:30, the initial report “shall be made immediately by telephone or otherwise.”
• Written report may follow. Document who you spoke with along with the time and date. Ask about confidentiality is you have a concern.
• Concord School District Policy on Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect is #432
• May notify Principal or building supervisor for assistance before calling so long as there is no undue delay in reporting to DCYF
• NH DOE Code of Conduct for NH Educators – Ed 510.05 (e)(1) & (2)
• No personal liability for “good faith” reporting but criminal liability exists for not reporting
• Practice Point - *Include mitigating information

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SIGNS OF�POSSIBLE CHILD ABUSE

• Physical abuse signs & symptoms
• Unexplained injuries such as bruises, fractures or burns and those that do not match the given explanation
• Sexual abuse signs & symptoms
• Inappropriate sexual behavior or knowledge for the child’s age
• Pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection
• Statements that he/she was sexually abused
• Inappropriate sexual contact with other children
• Emotional abuse signs & symptoms
• Delayed or inappropriate emotional development
• Loss of self-confidence or self-esteem
• Social withdrawal, loss of interest or enthusiasm
• Depression
• Avoidance of certain situations, such as refusing to go to school or ride the bus
• Desperately seeks affection
• Decrease in school performance or loss of interest in school
• Regression of developmental skills

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SIGNS& SYMPTOMS OF POSSIBLE CHILD NEGLECT

• Poor growth or weight gain or being overweight
• Poor hygiene
• Lack of clothing or supplies to meet physical needs
• Taking food or money without permission
• Hiding food for later consumption
• Poor record of school attendance
• Lack of appropriate medical and dental care, psychological problems or lack of necessary follow-up care
• Questions?

TITLE IX SEXUAL HARASSMENT REPORTING AND GRIEVANCE PROCESS

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Concord School District Policy #415 & #412

Sexual Harassment is a form of discrimination

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• Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 states:

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.“

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• Applicable to students, employees and any third party who contracts with the District to provide services to District students or employees.

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• Applicable to student on student, staff on student, student on staff, and staff on staff behavior

SEXUAL HARASSMENT DEFINED UNDER TITLE IX

• Conduct on the basis of sex (including gender, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity) that denies or limits an individual’s ability to participate in or receive benefits, services, or opportunities from a school’s programs or activities. Sexually harassing behavior includes one or more of the following:
• A school employee conditioning educational benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (quid pro quo);
• Unwelcome sex-based related conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive , AND objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the education program or activity (hostile environment);
• Sexual assault, dating , domestic violence, or stalking as defined in state or federal law;

REPORTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT

• Any person may report sexual harassment – student, employee, parent, guardian, witness, or a third-party bystander
• Report can be made in person, by telephone, email, text, or anonymously
• Day or night – Form found on webpage – See Something Say Something
• Content of the report
• Name & contact information of reporter
• Name of alleged victim & alleged wrongdoer
• Witnesses
• Date, location, and description of the incident
• Responsible employee = any employee of an elementary or secondary school - That means YOU!!
• Without delay (in no case longer than 24 hrs) you must notify one of the following (unless you are the victim);
• Principal, immediate supervisor, or any administrator
• Superintendent if allegations involve the Principal
• Title IX Coordinator
• DCYF where there is suspicion of abuse or neglect
• Confidentiality Protected – only those with a need to know

TITLE IX GRIEVANCE PROCESS

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR BULLYING

PROTECTION AGAINST BULLYING

• Protection applies to:
• All members of the school community
• Students and school-aged persons on District Grounds
• When participating in a District function - regardless of whether it is a student within the District
• CSD may take action and impose discipline for bullying that takes place off school property or at a school sponsored activity or event if the conduct:
• Interferes with a student’s educational opportunities
• Substantially disrupts the orderly operations of the school or school-sponsored activity or event

BULLYING DEFINED

• Bullying – Severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture, or a combination thereof directed at a target that:
• Causes physical or emotional harm, or damage to the targeted student or student’s property;
• Places the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm or damage to their property;
• Creates a hostile environment at school for the targeted student;
• Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of the school
• More than 70% of students play some role in bullying, being bullied, or witnessing someone being bullied
• Common places where bullying occurs:

Bus stops, on the bus, playgrounds, hallways, & on-line

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WHY DOES BULLYING OCCUR?�

• Bullying results from an imbalance of power based on a student’s actual or perceived:
• Personal characteristics (weight, height)
• Ethnicity
• Religious practice or beliefs
• Sexual Orientation
• Association with another person based on that person’s characteristics, behavior or beliefs
• Often time bullying is the result of ignorance

TYPES OF BULLYING

Physical bullying – Kicking, hitting, punching, slapping or shoving

Verbal bullying - Name calling - normally occurs when adults are not around – often one person’s word against another

Emotional bullying – Ostracism, Spreading Rumors, Manipulation of situations, breaking confidences

Cyber bullying – When the internet, a smartphone, or other technology is used to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. Less chance of getting caught – Bullies are braver on-line

Sexual bullying – Repeated, harmful, and humiliating actions that target a person sexually. Comments about appearance, attractiveness, sexual development or sexual activity. Girls are more likely to be sexually bullied (requests for pictures).

Prejudicial bullying – Based on prejudices toward people of different races, religions, or sexual orientation (Hate Crimes)

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INTERNAL REPORTING PROCEDURES

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District Employees Reporting (CSD Policy #539)

• If an employee witnesses, receives a report, or has knowledge or the belief that bullying may have occurred they shall inform a building administrator ASAP or not later than 24 hours after observing the incident or receiving the report
• Anonymous Reports are allowed by students, parents, volunteers or visitors – Quick Tip box on-the District website or black boxes around the building
• Anonymous complaints are harder to investigate
• Disciplinary action cannot be taken solely on an anonymous report
• Reporting Forms are available as part of CSD #539
• An investigation may still proceed even if a student does not wish to go forward

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

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• Report bullying when it occurs
• Talk about bullying in school as soon as you see it begin
• Explain why it is wrong – often done out of ignorance with younger students
• Bullying is destructive and unacceptable
• Leaves individuals feeling tormented
• Alone
• Can result in suicide

EMPLOYEE – STUDENT RELATIONS

• CSD Policy #437
• Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for NH Educators
• Highlights:
• No dating or romantic relationships with students
• Gifts – see CSD Policy #214 (impact & possible perception) *if unsure please seek advice
• Social networking restrictions – see CSD Policy #434
• Transportation of students (parental consent/prior notice given)
• Don’t use students to conduct errands
• FERPA (assessments, ability scores, grades, behavior, mental/physical health, etc.)
• Make sure classroom doors are unlocked & windows are not blocked
• If you see something inappropriate, say something to your peer
• Feel free to call with any questions regarding boundary issues

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IMPORTANT NEW POLICIES

• Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Students - #162
• Prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity
• Protects legal rights and safety of Transgender and Gender Non-conforming individuals
• Definition section – very helpful to understanding terms
• Privacy/Confidentiality/FERPA
• Names/Pronouns
• Gender-Segregated Activities
• Restroom Accessibility
• Locker Room Accessibility
• Physical Education Classes and Intramural Sports
• Interscholastic Competitive Sports Teams
• Dress Codes
• Gender Support and Transition Plan
• Discrimination/Harassment Prohibited

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PREGNANT STUDENTS

• District is committed to supporting pregnant students, students with pregnancy related conditions, & new parents (both)
• Students shall be informed of the school’s requirement to disclose certain medical information to parents or authorities
• Reasonable accommodations provided
• Remote learning, excusing medically necessary absences, make-up of tests, etc.
• Goal is to assist students to stay on schedule to graduate
• Those who drop out are less likely to complete school – Limits future opportunities
• Principal and School Nurse must be notified of student pregnancies
• If under 16 (DCFY) must be contacted (even if consensual) – Age of consent in NH is 16
• 16-18 years old – more discretion afforded on contacting DCYF
• Parental notification made on case-by-case basis (*when not)
• facilitation of discussion
• Information provided regarding medical health facilities, community health resources, parenting resources, childcare, and counseling

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WHAT ELSE IS ON YOUR MIND?