Empowering Students to Engage in Positive Communication: A Guide to Combat Student Sexting

1. Empowering Students to Engage in Positive Communication:A Guide to Combat Student Sexting Miami –Dade County Public Schools Division of Student Services Deborah A. Montilla, District Director

2. Welcome & Introductions Sexting Policy District Support Team Deborah A. Montilla, District Director Mr. Daniel R. Oré, Director Mr. Charles P. Migliaccio Ms. Rosa E. Pache Ms. Vanessa Robles Ms. Angelica M. Yanez

3. Learning Objectives • Use the information presented to implement Sexting Policy initiatives as need • Use the information presented to prepare school personnel for implementing Sexting Policy initiatives at school sites • Review M-DCPS school policy and procedures • Introduction to M-DCPS combating sexting curriculum

4. Opening Activity Interactive Activity

5. M-DCPS School Board Definition of Sexting The act of sending or forwarding through cellular telephones and other electronic media sexually explicit, nude or partially nude photographs/images. While M-DCPS, through our curriculum, teaches students to engage in positive communication, disciplinary action for the transmission of sexually explicit messages is addressed under other infractions to the Code of Student Conduct.

7. Who’s Sexting? • Sending sexts: • 65% girls • 35% boys • Forwarding sexts: • Approximately equal • Age and likelihood of sexting: • 61% - ages 16-18 • 39% - ages 13-15

9. Florida Statutes • 827.071 Sexual performance by a child • 847.0137 Transmission of pornography by electronic device or equipment prohibited • 847.0138 Transmission of material harmful to minors to a minor by electronic device or equipment prohibited

10. Penalties for ConvictedSex Offenders • Mandatory prison time • Registered sex offender status for life • Sex offender probation • Neighborhood, curfew, counseling, jobs “When the legislation for child pornography was enacted, no one was imagining minors taking photos of their own bodies”

11. New Legislation: CS/CS/HB 75 - Offense of SextingEffective Date: October 1, 2011 Offense of Sexting: Provides that minor commits offense of sexting if he or she knowingly uses computer, or any other device capable of electronic data transmission or distribution, to transmit or distribute to another minor any photograph or video of any person which depicts nudity & is harmful to minors; provides noncriminal & criminal penalties; provides that transmission, distribution, or possession of multiple photographs or videos is single offense if transmission occurs within 24-hour period, etc. GENERAL BILL   by Judiciary Committee and Criminal Justice Subcommittee and Abruzzo (CO-SPONSORS) Cruz; Glorioso; Rogers; Van Zant

12. Initial Stages for Developmentof M-DCPS Sexting Policy

13. Action Plan Benchmarks

14. M-DCPS Action Plan to Combat Sexting Includes: • Procedures manual available as an e-handbook for M-DCPS administration and personnel • K-12 Curriculum to Combat Student Sexting • Professional Development for administrators, counselors, and teachers • Anti-Sexting Awareness Campaign/Student PSA Contest • Parent Resources

15. Guiding Principles of Policy • Aligns sexting policy to district-wide efforts • Outlines student responsibilities • Increases awareness among students, educators, families and community • Provides guidance for school administration and staff • Establishes partnership with stakeholders

16. M-DCPS Action Plan to Combat Sexting Includes: • Procedures manual available as an e-handbook for M-DCPS administration and personnel • K-12 Curriculum to Combat Student Sexting • Professional Development for administrators, counselors, and teachers • Parent Resources • Anti-Sexting Awareness Campaign/Student PSA Contest

17. MDCPS Proactive Approach • Prevention • Support Services • Disciplinary Measures

22. Levels of Sexting Offenses • Sexting 1 • Involves a personal, 1-1 student-to-student exposure/transmission which is not coerced and not intended for redistribution • Sexting 2 • Involves transmission or re-transmission of a sext to an expanded group of recipients • Sexting 3 • Involves a broad exposure/distribution of a sext without consent and/or transmittal with the intent to victimize another individual

23. Referral for Intervention • Regardless of the severity of the case, the principal or designee will refer participants of sexting to the school’s Student Services Team for counseling support and/or interventions

24. Q & A

25. Division of Student Services Miami-Dade County Public Schools 1501 NE 2nd Avenue Suite # 409 Miami, FL 33132 Work Location: 9721 Contact us... Division Administrator Ms. Deborah A. Montilla, District Director 305-995-7338 http://studentservices.dadeschools.net Department Administrators Ms. Barbara Mallard, District Supervisor Mr. Daniel R. Oré,, Director Ms. Wilma Steiner, Director School Counseling Programs HIV/AIDS Education Programs Comprehensive Health Programs 305-995-7302 305-995-7273 305-995-1235 Sexting Policy Support Team: Mr. Daniel R. Oré, Director Ms. Angelica M. Yanez, Curriculum Support Specialist Mr. Charles Migliaccio, Educational Specialist Ms. Vanessa Robles, Teacher/Trainer