District Violence and Vandalism Report

1. District Violence and Vandalism Report Westampton Township Public Schools 2006-2007

2. What Gets Reported • An incident that results in an “In or Out” of school suspension or a Saturday Suspension. • Any situation that is potentially considered as bullying or harassing behavior as reported by the victim or observer.

3. The Public Presentation of the 2006 – 2007 EVVRS Below is the summary of the data submitted as required by law for all known reportable incidents of Violence and Vandalism for the 2006-2007 School Year. The public presentation will include the following information: A statement by me that we are required to do this publicly at our October 2007 BOE Meeting A statement that this presentation is a required part of our Violence & Vandalism Awareness Activities This is a review of all reportable incidents that occurred in our schools during 2006 – 2007. This report includes a comparison of the EVVRS statistics over the previous year. The final part of my presentation will include an opportunity for the public to ask questions. This presentation also includes a review of our suspension totals for 2006 – 2007 This report is no longer required to be recorded

4. In 2006–2007 we had (74) reportable incidents of violence. That total is up considerably from 2005-2006 in part because the definition of reportable incidents has changed. This report includes many infractions that qualify as simple assault or behaviors that are considered to be harassing or intimidating. Among these incidents there were (36 ) assaults and (15 ) fights There was also (6) incidents of issuing a threat to the safety of another None of these incidents were determined to be racially motivated None of the incidents involved any student’s ethnicity or race. The breakdown for this report includes: 68 Incidents of violence 6 Vandalism (graffiti, eggs thrown at the door, camera) 2 Weapons (toy gun and scissors) (Some incidents fit into more than one category)

5. There were (0) incidents involving CDS. This is the 3rd year in a row that we have not had an incident involving CDS. This continues to be a positive statistic that we hope to repeat in 2007 – 2008. CDS includes drugs and alcohol There were (6) incidents of Vandalism in 2006–2007. This is an increase of 5 cases over lasts year’s report. Four of these incidents of vandalism took place at the HHS and two at WMS. Only one incident involved a cost (125.00) for damage to a camera and the parents have reimbursed the district for this cost.

6. We suspended (42 ) students in 2006–2007. More than half of these suspensions were repeat offenders. All of the “suspensions” were “Out of school” although we do have other options. We do have other options like “In-School Suspension or Saturday Detentions”. All of the violations were serious enough to warrant an “Out of School Suspension” All but one of the suspensions where short term meaning they were less than or equal to 3 days. The days for suspensions can be increased when violators are repeat offenders Four incidents were reported to the police and 1 of the four resulted in a formal complaint. None of the students involved in any incidents had to be hospitalized however one student was injured on the playground in a reportable incident that required medical attention as a precautionary measure.

7. 2006-2007 (74) reportable incidents 2005-2006 (17) reportable incidents Violence (68) Vandalism (6) Weapons (2) Substance Abuse (0) Fights (15) Assaults (36) Threats (6) Summary of Incidents

8. Definitions • Simple Assault- A person attempts to cause, or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another. • Fight - Mutual engagement in a physical confrontation that may result in bodily injury to either party. Does not include verbal confrontations or a minor confrontation such as a shoving match. All participants should be classified as offenders. • Harassment, Bullying, Intimidation, Threat*(HIBT) Any gesture, or written, verbal or physical act, or electronic or wireless communication that a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of alarming (fear created by imminent danger) or harming (e.g., physically, emotionally) a student or staff member, or damaging their property; or b) has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.

9. WMS • 15 Incidents of fights assaults that involved mutual physical exchange. • 36 Simple Assaults • 3 Threats of violence • No incidents of students to student sexual harassment. • 2 Weapon- Scissors, Toy Gun

10. Holly Hills • 6 Incidents of vandalism • Surveillance camera broken --- $125.00 • Graffiti in or around schools • Eggs thrown at school door Parents reimbursed the district for the camera. All incidents occurred at Holly Hills after school hours.

11. Substance Abuse • No incidents of substance abuse at either school.

12. Conclusion • Incidents of Simple Assault • Of these incidents several were among siblings that had to be reported. • Some were mere rough housing on the playground which resulted in some degree of bodily harm to another student (kicking, pushing, ) • Some incidents occurred in the community and impacted the school causing it be handled administratively. • All incidents were at WMS and involved 5 males. Most offenders were suspended for 1 day unless they were repeat offenders.

13. Conclusion (cont’d) • Incidents of Threats • 3 Incidents • All at WMS. Two were made by male students and one by a female student. Two received suspensions lasting one day and the third received a suspension lasting 5 days due to the nature of the threat.

14. Conclusion (continued) • During the 05-06 school year there was a total of 21 students who were suspended from school a total of (29) days which is identical to the number of days of suspensions for the preceeding year. • There is no indication that any of these incidents were racially or ethinically motivated.