Connecticut School Climate Policy

Bethel Public Schools believes that all schools must support and promote teaching and learning environments where all students thrive academically and socially, have a strong and meaningful voice, and are prepared for lifelong success.  Therefore, implementing a school climate policy and regulations that promote a positive school climate that is essential to achieving these goals.

Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-222cc requires districts to implement a statewide policy to address prevention, intervention and responding to challenging behaviors, bullying, harassment, and teen dating violence.  

Click here to access the full Connecticut School Climate Guidelines for the Bethel Public Schools.

Definitions 

In state statute, the Connecticut General Assembly introduced a new term, challenging behavior, and revised the definition of bullying, indicated below.  If you believe that your child or you, as a student, has experienced challenging behavior or bullying, please complete this form. Please note, there is not a separate form to request a bullying investigation.  Bullying may be verified during a challenging behavior investigation.   

“Challenging behavior” means behavior that negatively impacts school climate or interferes, or is at risk of interfering, with the learning or safety of a student or the safety of a school employee.

“Bullying” means unwanted and aggressive behavior among children in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. 

School Climate Specialists 

The School Climate Specialist is responsible for (1) leading in the prevention, identification and response to challenging behavior, including, but not limited to, reports of alleged bullying and harassment, (2) implementing evidence and research-based interventions, including, but not limited to, restorative practices, (3) scheduling meetings for and leading the school climate committee, as described in  Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-222ff, and (4) leading the implementation of the school climate improvement plan, developed pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-222hh.

School Climate Coordinator 

The school climate coordinator shall be responsible for:

1. providing district-level leadership and support for the implementation of the school climate improvement plan for each school;
2. collaborating with the school climate specialist, for each school to (A) develop a continuum of strategies to prevent, identify, and respond to challenging behavior, including, but not limited to, alleged bullying and harassment in the school environment, and (B) communicate such strategies to the school community, including, but not limited to, through publication in the school handbook;
3. collecting and maintaining data regarding school climate improvement, including, but not limited to, school discipline records, school climate assessments, attendance rates,, academic growth data, types and numbers of alleged and verified bullying complaints submitted by members of the school community, types and numbers of challenging behaviors addressed using the restorative practices response policy, and data concerning the implementation and outcome of restorative practices; and
4. meeting with the school climate specialist for each school at least twice during the school year to (A) identify strategies to improve school climate, including, but not limited to, by responding to challenging behavior and implementing evidence and research-based interventions, such as restorative practices, (B) propose recommendations for revisions to the school climate improvement plan, and (C) assist with the completion of the school climate survey.

Bethel Public Schools

1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801

Phone: 203-794-8613    Email Address:  [email protected]

Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

SEX DISCRIMINATION IS PROHIBITED based on Federal Law - Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and State Law – Sec. 10-15c. Harassment - based on sexual orientation is also protected under State Law – Sec. 10-15c.

Click on the link below to view the policy and regulations: 

Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Regulation

Discrimination: 

The conditions or privileges of employment in the school district, including the wages, hours, terms and benefits, shall be applied without regard to race, color, religion, age, marital status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, mental or physical disability, Veteran status, or genetic information, except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification. The Board of Education seeks to extend the advantages of public education with fully equality of educational opportunity to students and personnel. 

Report Form for Complaints of Discrimination

Bethel Student Data Privacy Policies:

Student Data Privacy