School System Employee Training on Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination

Office of Coordinated School Health Required Annual Training Bullying, Cyber Bullying, Hazing, Harassment & Retaliation For School System Employees Updated July 2022

Loudon County Schools is committed to the safety of its students and employees; therefore, all certified and non-certified staff are required to receive annual training on recognizing and responding to Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying For your convenience and to provide a more effective program, this training is now available electronically and on the school system s website at www.loudoncounty.org. It can also be viewed at anytime on the CSH page, annual training tab. www.loudoncounty.org All employees must complete the training by September 15thof each school year.

Coordinators 2022/2023 Loudon County Schools Coordinators Central Office 100 River Road Loudon, TN37774 865-458-5411 Title VI Coordinator: Matthew Tinker Title IX Coordinators: Matthew Tinker, Mike Garren, Joshua Reese, Jennifer Malone 504 Coordinator: Joshua Reese

Reporting Procedures Reporting Procedures Any person who believes he/she has been the victim of discrimination/harassment by a school system employee, another adult on school grounds or at school functions, another student, or any third person with knowledge of discrimination/harassment should report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school system official as designated by policy. The school principal is the person responsible for receiving reports at the school level. The principal notifies the director of schools immediately without screening or investigating the report. A written report is also forwarded to the director. If the complaint involves the school principal, the complaint shall be filed directly with the director of schools.

Reporting Procedures Reporting Procedures - - continued continued The Title IX coordinator is to receive complaints of sexual discrimination. Slide #3 gives the appropriate person to receive discrimination complaints including bullying. The name of the Title IX coordinators and the Title VI coordinator, including a mailing address and telephone number shall be posted. Refer to school board policies 6.304 and 6.305 for additional information. Refer to school board policy 6.101, Title VI Compliance, for additional contact information

Laws Regarding Bullying and Harassment Laws Regarding Bullying and Harassment At the beginning of each school year all teachers & counselors receive a copy of the Bullying/Harassment Policy and receive related training. Parents & students receive bullying prevention information and have opportunities to discuss information. Principals of middle and high schools are required to: Investigate harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying; Report findings of investigation and any disciplinary actions to the director of schools and the chair of the school board. Source: TCA 49-6-4503, 49-6-4505, 49-6-812

NEW NEW Public Chapter 395 Public Chapter 395 House Bill 534 House Bill 534 Effective 7/1/2022 Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 16, Part 5, is amended by adding the following as a new section: A person who recklessly, by any means of communication, threatens to commit an act of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity commits a Class A misdemeanor 1) Any person who has knowledge of a threat of mass violence on school property or at a school- related activity shall report the threat immediately to: 2) (A) The local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the school property or school- related activity; and (B) The school that is subject to the threat of mass violence. 3) Any person who has knowledge of a threat of mass violence on school property or at a school- related activity and knowingly fails to report the threat commits a Class B misdemeanor. 4) A threat of mass violence on school property, as prohibited by 39-16-517. The court may order a child held under this subdivision (c)(1 )(C) to undergo a mental health evaluation under 37-1-128(e) if appropriate;

The Loudon County Board of Education has determined that a safe, civil, and supportive environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. In order to maintain that environment, acts of bullying, cyber-bullying, discrimination, harassment, hazing or any other victimization of students, based on any actual or perceived traits or characteristics, are prohibited.

This policy shall be disseminated annually to all school staff, students, and parents. This policy shall cover employees, employees' behaviors, students and students' behaviors while on school property, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation, or at any official school bus stop. Board Policy Board Policy 6.304 continued 6.304 continued If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school- sponsored activity, this policy is in effect if the conduct is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the education environment or learning process. Building administrators are responsible for educating and training their respective staff and students as to the definition and recognition of discrimination/harassment.

DEFINITIONS Bullying/Intimidation/Harassment - An act that substantially interferes with a student s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, and the act has the effect of: Board Policy Board Policy 6.304 6.304 Definitions Definitions Physically harming a student or damaging a student s property; Knowingly placing a student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student s property; Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or

Creating a hostile educational environment. Bullying, intimidation, or harassment may also be unwelcome conduct based on a protected class (race, nationality, origin, color, gender, age, disability, religion) that is severe, pervasive, or persistent and creates a hostile environment. Board Policy Board Policy 6.304 6.304 Definitions Definitions continued continued Cyber-bullying - A form of bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, text messaging, emails, social networking sites, instant messaging, videos, web sites or fake profiles.

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Definitions continued Definitions continued Hazing - An intentional or reckless act by a student or group of students that is directed against any other student(s) that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student(s) or that induces or coerces a student to endanger his/her mental or physical health or safety. Coaches and other employees of the school district shall not encourage, permit, condone or tolerate hazing activities. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or similar contest or competitions and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization.

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Complaints and Investigations Complaints and Investigations All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the principal/designee. All other members of the school community, including students, parents, volunteers, and visitors, are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy. Alleged victims of the above- referenced offenses shall report these incidents immediately to a teacher, counselor or building administrator.

If a report is not initiated within forty- eight (48) hours, the principal/designee shall provide the director of schools with appropriate documentation detailing the reasons why the investigation was not initiated within the required timeframe. Once a complaint is received, the principal/designee shall initiate and investigation within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of the report. Board Policy Board Policy 6.304 6.304 Complaints and Complaints and Investigations Investigations continued continued The principal/designee at each school shall be responsible for investigating and resolving complaints.

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Complaints and Investigations continued Complaints and Investigations continued While reports may be made anonymously, an individual's need for confidentiality must be balanced with obligations to cooperate with police investigations or legal proceedings, to provide due process to the accused, to conduct a thorough investigation or to take necessary actions to resolve a complaint, and the identity of parties and witnesses may be disclosed in appropriate circumstances to individuals with a need to know.

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Complaints and Investigations continued Complaints and Investigations continued The principal/designee shall notify the parent/legal guardian when a student is involved in an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying. The principal/designee shall provide information on district counseling and support services. Students involved in an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying shall be referred to the appropriate school counselor by the principal/designee when deemed necessary. The principal/designee is responsible for determining whether an alleged act constitutes a violation of this policy, and such act shall be held to violate this policy when it meets one of the following conditions:

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Complaints and Investigations continued Complaints and Investigations continued It has the effect of substantially interfering with the student s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school. It places the student in reasonable fear or harm for the student s person or property; It has a substantially detrimental effect on the student s physical or mental health; It has the effect of substantially interfering with the student s academic performance; or

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Complaints and Investigations continued Complaints and Investigations continued Upon the determination of a violation, the principal/designee shall conduct a prompt, thorough, and complete investigation of each alleged incident. All investigations shall be completed, and appropriate intervention taken within twenty (20) calendar days from the receipt of the initial report.

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Complaints and Investigations continued Complaints and Investigations continued If the investigation is not complete or intervention has not taken place within twenty (20) calendar days, the principal/designee shall provide the director of schools with appropriate documentation detailing the reasons why the investigation has not been completed or the appropriate intervention has not taken place. Within the parameters of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) at 20 U.S.C. 1232g, a written report on the investigation will be delivered to the parents of the complainant, parents of the accused students and to the Director of Schools.

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Response and Prevention Response and Prevention School administrators shall consider the nature and circumstances of the incident, the age of the violator, the degree of harm, previous incidences or patterns of behavior, or any other factors, as appropriate to properly respond to each situation.

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Response and Prevention Response and Prevention A substantiated charge against an employee shall result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. A substantiated charge against a student may result in corrective or disciplinary action up to and including suspension. An employee disciplined for violation of this policy may appeal the decision by contacting the Federal Rights Coordinator. Any student disciplined for violation of this policy may appeal the decision in accordance with disciplinary policies and procedures.

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Reports Reports When a complaint is filed alleging a violation of this policy where there is physical harm or the threat of physical harm to a student or a student's property, the principal/designee of each middle school, junior high school, or high school shall report the findings and any disciplinary actions taken to the director of schools and the chair of the board of education. By July 1 of each year, the director of schools/designee shall prepare a report of all of the bullying cases brought to the attention of school officials during the prior academic year.

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Reports continued Reports continued The report shall also indicate how the cases were resolved and/or the reasons they are still pending. This report shall be presented to the board of education at its regular July meeting, and it shall be submitted to the state department of education by August 1. The director of schools shall develop forms and procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements of this policy and TCA 49-6-4503.

Board Policy 6.304 Board Policy 6.304 Retaliation and False Accusations Retaliation and False Accusations Retaliation against any person who reports or assists in any investigation of an act alleged in this policy is prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in retaliation shall be determined by the administrator after consideration of the nature, severity, and circumstances of the act. False accusations accusing another person of having committed an act prohibited under this policy are prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person found to have falsely accused another may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension and expulsion.

Additional Definitions Additional Definitions Bullying: Intentionally aggressive behavior, repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power. Rude: Inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else. Mean: Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone once. Relational aggression: A form of bullying in which kids use their friendship or the threat of taking their friendship away to hurt someone. Social exclusion, shunning, hazing, and rumor spreading are all forms of this pervasive type of bullying. Physical aggression: Bullying includes hitting, punching, kicking, spitting, tripping, hair pulling, slamming a child into a locker and a range of other behaviors that involve physical aggression. Verbal aggression: Bullying with words and threats to hurt.

Cyberbullying: A form of bullying that involves technology, willful and repeated harm inflicted though the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. Additional Additional Definitions Definitions continued continued Cyberstalking: Engaging in a course of conduct to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific person, causing substantial emotional distress to that person Hazing: is any action taken or any situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule and risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group or team, whether new or not, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. hazingprevention.org/ Retaliation: means any form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment directed against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation about bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying.

Common Characteristics Among Youth Common Characteristics Among Youth Who Are Bullied Who Are Bullied These children often stand out as different in some way because of Socio- economic background Cultural or religious background Sexual orientation Appearance Intellect

Bullying Can Take Many Forms Bullying Can Take Many Forms Verbal taunts, name-calling, and put-downs Threats and intimidation Physical violence Extortion or stealing money and/or possessions Harassment via technology (email, text messaging, etc.) Spreading rumors

Warning Signs of Being Bullied Warning Signs of Being Bullied Is quiet, sensitive, shy Appears anxious or insecure Appears unhappy, depressed, tearful Cuts, bruises, scratches Is alone or excluded from friends or peers during break Headaches, stomachaches Damaged/missing possessions Has few friends boy-crying Tries to stay close to the teacher or other adults Shows a deterioration of schoolwork Has difficulty speaking up

Warning Signs of Bullying Others Warning Signs of Bullying Others Is oppositional, defiant or aggressive towards adults Teases, intimidates, threatens, ridicules other students Is hot tempered and impulsive Has a hard time following rules Are concerned with their own desires rather than those of others Find it difficult to see things from someone else s perspective Are willing to use others to get what they want Shows little or no empathy

Most Common School Locations for Bullying to Occur Playground Hallways/stairways Bus Bathrooms Cafeteria/Commons Classroom Interventions Classroom Interventions Reinforcement of rules through positive School system s health educator can provide several anti-bullying resources Establish class rules against bullying consequences and sanctions

Laws & Board Policies TCA 49-6-4503 Adopt policy defining and prohibiting harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber- bullying; consequences for such behavior; procedure for reporting such acts including reporting anonymously. Also describe expected student behavior. TCA 49-6-812 District-wide and building safety plans consistent with TCA 49-6-4503 TCA 49-6-4505 Retaliation prohibited Policy 6.300 Code of Conduct Policy 6.304 Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination Policy 6.305 Complaint and Grievance (Level Discipline Measures)

Sources Sources Tennessee Code Annotated http://www.state.tn.us/environment/permits/tcalink.shtml Loudon County Board of Education Policy http://www.loudoncounty.org Tennessee School Board Association http://www.tsba.net/ National Crime Prevention Council, 2006. www.samhsa.gov US Department of Health and Human Services StopBullyingNow.hrsa.gov Don t Laugh At Me www.dontlaugh.org Teaching Tolerance