Bulkeley Middle School

1. Bulkeley Middle School 2013-2014 Dignity for All Students & Sexual Harassment Avoidance Annual Training

2. The Dignity for All Students Act • Enacted in July 2012 • The Dignity Act protects students from harassment and/or discrimination based on a person’s actual or perceived: • Race • Color • Weight (Appearance) • National Origin • Ethnic Group • Religion • Religious Practice • Disability • Sexual Orientation • Gender (including gender identity or expression) • Sex

3. Amendment to the Dignity Act Effective July 1, 2013 (Chapter 102 Laws of 2012) The following provisions are in addition to the original Dignity Act. Cyberbullying: will be defined as harassment or bullying by any form of electronic communication, and include incidents occurring off school property that create or would foreseeably create a risk of substantial disruption within the school environment.

4. What is Harassment? • The creation of a hostile environment • It unreasonably and substantially interferes with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or mental, emotional, or physical safety • Includes threats, intimidation, or abuse

5. SEXUAL HARASSMENT AWARENESS District Policyand the Law • This presentation will cover the District policy on sexual harassment • It will also cover the law • They are one and the same.

6. WHY IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT ILLEGAL? • Sexual harassment is illegal because it interferes with a student accessing an education, a constitutionally protected right

7. WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT? There are two categories of sexual harassment: Quid pro quo • the demand for sexual favors in exchange for a benefit: a promotion, an advancement, or a good grade Hostile environment • any unwelcome sexually oriented conduct or atmosphere that is so severe or pervasive that it is intimidating or offensive to a “reasonable person” and interferes with one’s ability to work or receive an education

8. WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS DO IF THEY WITNESS OR EXPERIENCE SEXUAL HARASSMENT? • Immediately: • report this incident to an adult: parent, teacher, administrator or other trusted adult you feel comfortable with • Be able to give as much specific information as possible

9. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? • The school district must thoroughly investigate all sexual harassment complaints, remedy the situation, and monitor • In most instances, this means an administrator will interview the complainant, witnesses, and the alleged perpetrator

10. HOW IS A DECISION MADE REGARDING WHETHER SEXUAL HARASSMENT TOOK PLACE? • The District uses a five point “litmus test”: • Is the behavior sexual in nature? • 2. Is the behavior unwelcome? • Is the behavior severe, persistent, or • pervasive? • Does the behavior unreasonably interfere with work or school? • Would a “reasonable person” find that the • behavior interferes with work or school?

11. WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? • If sexual harassment has occurred, the district must take steps to stop the behavior. These steps can range from counseling to long term suspensions from school • If sexual harassment has not occurred, other consequences may occur per the Code of Conduct

12. WHAT IF A STUDENT DOES NOT WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED? • The District still has a duty to investigate and take remedial action, even with anonymous reports • Confidentiality will be maintained • Students should remember their responsibility to report possible instances to an adult

13. ADULT RESOURCES • Parents • Title IX Officers: Mr. Kreps & Ms. Natoli • Principals • Assistant Principal • Teachers • School Social Worker • School Counselor • School Psychologist • Coaches • Religious Leaders

14. What is Cyberbullying? • deliberate and harmful targeting of another person using electronic technologies • Cell phones, social media sites, blogs • The most common forms of Cyberbullying include harassment, cyber stalking, impersonation, sexting, and trickery

15. What does Cyberbullying look like? • Cyberbullying includes: • sending hurtful, rude, or mean text messages • Spreading rumors or lies about others by email or on social networks • Creating websites, videos or social media profiles that embarrass, humiliate, or make fun of others

16. How is this discrimination? • Discrimination is denial of equal treatment • Access to programs or facilities • Inability to access a free and safe educational environment • The Dignity Act protects all students from any form of discrimination.

17. Steps in Identifying a Dignity Act Violation • An incident is reported to an adult • Parent, teacher, administrator • Reports can be anonymous • The Dignity Act Team reviews reports • The Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC), Mr. Kemnitzer, investigates all Dignity Act and Sexual Harassment complaints • Interviews with all parties involved

18. A Violation has occurred… • The district must take steps to stop the behavior • Parent Notification • Counseling • Detentions • Suspensions • Superintendents hearing

19. Student Responsibilities • Report possible Dignity Act/Sexual Harassment Violations • Understand the District’s Dignity Act and Sexual Harassment policy • Act in a respectful and positive way to all other members of the school community

20. OTHER STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES • In addition to reporting possible incidents: • students must understand the Dignity Act and the District’s Sexual Harassment policy • must act in a respectful and positive way to all other members of the school community

21. Review of District Policy • Romantic and/or sexual relationships between students and district employees are prohibited. This includes consensual relationships • Retaliation against a student or employee who reports or gives information about sexual harassment or gender discrimination is prohibited • Making a sexual harassment complaint will not reflect negatively on the student who makes it. The student’s academic standing, rights and privileges will not be affected

22. Review of District Procedures • Students may report something they did not personally witness • Reports of harassment or discrimination may be made to adults such as: a parent, teacher, principal, Title IX officer or school counselor • Parents may report conduct by a student to the Principal, and conduct by an employee to the Title IX officer • Parents and students have the right to file complaints with the U.S Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Education and other state or local entities • Persons involved in the report may request an interviewer of the same sex • Reports may be made anonymously. This will not affect the quality of the investigation

23. con’t. • Complaints of sexual harassment and gender discrimination will be kept confidential as much as possible while still allowing the investigation to proceed • The district will prepare a written report of any investigation. If sexual harassment or gender discrimination are found, the district will take steps to stop the behavior • If a parent of the complainant or the accused is not satisfied with the report’s findings, the parent may appeal the findings to the school board within 30 days of receiving the report

24. TICKET TO LEAVE • Why is sexual harassment considered a form of discrimination? • OR • 2. Who would you tell if you experienced • or witnessed what you thought was • sexual harassment? • OR • 3.