In a continuing effort to address issues of violence and bullying among students, the Roselle Park Board Of Education (RP BOE) had a first reading to include a school district policy titled “Dating Violence At School”.
The policy defines ‘dating violence’ as any act or incident characterized by “physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse; digital or electronic acts or incidents of dating violence; and/or patterns of behavior which threaten to gain or actually gain power and control over a dating partner”. The policy does not limit such acts against women and applies to same-sex relationships or even instances where a male student might be a victim in a heterosexual relationship.
Protocols for reporting by staff faculty would require that a verbal report be made to the Principal or designee by the school day when an incident is made aware of to the staff member with a written report due by the end of the following day.
Consequences outlined in the policy, depending on the severity, include admonishment, temporary removal from class, detention, suspension, reports to the police, and expulsion in the severest of cases. Additionally, intervention or remediation will also be utilized in certain circumstances.
Grades 7 through 12 will have age-appropriate dating violence education incorporated into the curriculum to not only bring awareness but educate the student population on the issue.
The BOE is scheduled to vote on the policy at their next meeting which is scheduled for Tuesday night, November 18th, at 7 p.m. at the EJF/Aldene Elementary School auditorium.
A copy of the policy is available below: