In light of the recent events at Penn State and the discussion around reporting suspected child abuse we are providing the exact language from Nebraska Statutes and the LPS Certificated
Staff Handbook.

Reporting Child Abuse

Nebraska State Law and school policy mandates school officials to make a report to the proper law enforcement agency or the Department of Health and Human Services (Child Protective Services) when there is reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected, or a child is in a situation which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect. According to Nebraska State Law, abuse or neglect means knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causing or permitting a minor child to be:

(a) Placed in a situation that endangers his or her life or physical or mental health;
(b) Cruelly confined or cruelly punished;
(c) Deprived of necessary food, clothing, shelter, or care;
(d) Left unattended in a motor vehicle if such minor child is six years of age or younger;
(e) Sexually abused; or
(f) Sexually exploited by allowing, encouraging, or forcing such person to solicit for or engage in prostitution, debauchery, public indecency, or obscene or pornographic photography, films, or depictions.

Teachers are to inform their principal or supervisor that they intend to make a report. Administrative staff may sometimes choose to make the report for a teacher. However, informing the Principal or supervisor does not end the teacher's responsibility; teachers are obligated to make certain a report was made if they do not do it themselves.

It is vital that the report be made as accurately and as soon as possible. To assure accuracy, you are encourages to document the date of the incident and specific statements or explanations made by a child regarding an abuse/neglect concern. Timeliness in making a report will assist in minimizing further risk to the child by allowing the police or Child Protective Services workers to interview the child prior to an evening or weekend. In cases of physical injury (e.g., bruising or other marks), it is essential the police observe and document the injury. A counselor, the school social worker or an administrator will help you.

Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

Professionals Required to Report
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-711

Professionals required to report include:

• Physicians, medical institutions, or nurses
• School employees
• Social workers

Reporting by Other Persons
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-711

All other persons who have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect must report.

Standards for Making a Report
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-711

A report is required when:

• A reporter has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect.
• A reporter observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that reasonably would result in abuse or neglect.

Individual Responsibility
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-711
When a mandated reporter has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, he or she shall report to the proper law enforcement agency or the Department of Health and Human Services on the toll-free number.

The report may be made orally by telephone with the caller giving his or her name and address, and shall be followed by a written report.

Content of Reports
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-711
The report shall contain:

• The address and age of the child
• The address of the person having custody of the child
• The nature and extent of the abuse or neglect or the conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect
• Any evidence of previous abuse or neglect
• Any other information that in the opinion of the reporter may be helpful in establishing the cause of the child abuse or neglect and the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrator.

 NEA Celebrates the

90th American Education Week

 November 13-19, 2011
 

The conventions of both organizations subsequently adopted resolutions of support for a national effort to raise public awareness of the importance of education. In 1921, the NEA Representative Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa, called for designation of one week each year to spotlight education. In its resolution, the NEA called for: "An educational week ... observed in all communities annually for the purpose of informing the public of the accomplishments and needs of the public schools and to secure the cooperation and support of the public in meeting those needs."

A teacher in New York was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had the children take a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up, stamp on it and really mess it up but do not rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty is was. She then told them to tell it they're sorry. Now even though they said ......they were sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bullies another child, they may say they're sorry but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home.

 Click Here for NEA's Bully Free School's Campaign

Important Reminders:

Friday, January 6, 2012, is a teacher professional duty day that falls at the end of winter break just before the beginning of second semester which starts on Monday, January 9, 2012.

1. Because there are no students in attendance on January 6th anyone who plans to be absent on that day does not need to pre-arrange their leave or receive permission to be gone. Pre-arranging and receiving permission to be gone after a break is only required for student days when a substitute is required.

2. Because January 6th is a contract work day for staff, January 9th is not considered a day following a break (in this case winter break).

3. No mandatory meetings of any kind (barring an emergency) can be called at the site or district level for teachers on January 6th. January 6th is a teacher professional duty day for staff to engage"in professional duties at their discretion" [5-4 (a) 1 in the Professional Agreement].

Extra Standard Review Dates

2011-12

All Meetings are at the LEA Office

4920 Normal Blvd 

     Wednesday

                                                                        HOSA                                                       4:30 PM

December 7, 2011              Instrumental Music                                   4:00 PM

                                                                        Committee Meets                                      4:30 PM

Lied Center Welcomes Peter Buffet

Wednesday, November 16th at 7:30 PM