On a more serious note, our counselors are visiting each classroom early in the year to talk about the important topic of threatening language. See the information below regarding Wisconsin Act 143, which requires school staff to investigate and report any threats of violence to law enforcement. This includes threatening words, even those said casually. This also includes drawing or gesturing guns or weapons in the school setting. Times have absolutely changed since we were young, so PLEASE speak with your student(s) about this and let us know if you have questions.
Wisconsin Act 143
Dear Parents and Guardians,
School personnel have long served as mandated reporters, meaning it is school personnel’s legal obligation to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to relevant authorities, such as Child Protective Services and/or the police.
In 2017, Wisconsin passed Act 143, further requiring all employees of Wisconsin public school districts to report potential threats of violence to local law enforcement. If a staff member believes in good faith, that a student(s) made a serious or imminent threat(s) which jeopardizes the health and safety of others, it is their legal obligation to immediately report the facts and circumstances to the police. While “serious or imminent” may imply some discretion, school employees will always err on the side of caution in order to ensure the safety of all school community members.
It has been our observation that at times students use threatening words casually, such as between friends when playing at recess. Other times, students use threatening words impulsively, when they are in an emotionally charged situation. And, on rare occasions, an elementary student uses threatening words purposefully and intentionally. When students use this language on social media, nuance and intent cannot be easily determined.
We are sharing this information with you now as a critical reminder that students must refrain from any language or gesture that may seem threatening to the school personnel or to others, as that very likely could result in a call to the police.
We encourage parents/guardians to discuss this with children at home so that they are aware of this new legal requirement. At school, age-appropriate specific teaching about the requirement will be embedded into upcoming counseling lessons. Should you have any questions, please contact me directly at 414-963-3951.
Key Components of ACT 143: Act 143 requires reporting of school violence threats by certain individuals, including teachers, school administrators, school counselors, other school employees, physicians, and other medical and mental health professionals. Specifically, an identified individual must report if the person believes in good faith, based on a threat made by an individual seen in the course of professional duties regarding violence in or targeted at a school, that there is a serious and imminent threat to the health and safety of a student, school employee, or the public. These individuals must immediately inform a law enforcement agency of the facts and circumstances contributing to the belief that there is a serious and imminent threat.
The Act provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for any person or institution making a report in good faith, as well as immunity for health care providers who do not report based on their good faith belief and professional judgment that a report is not required. Act 143 also creates an exemption from mandatory reporting for members of the clergy if certain conditions are met. The Act mandates that school boards require employees to receive training regarding mandatory reporting of school violence threats. The mandatory reporting created by Act 143 applies to threats of violence against public, private, or tribal elementary or secondary schools. An intentional violation of the reporting requirement is an unclassified misdemeanor, subject to a fine of $1,000 or less, imprisonment of six months or less, or both.
From The Wisconsin Department of Justice - https://www.doj.state.wi.us/office-school-safety/school-safety-resources
Retrieved 10/2/18
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