Please vote in support of HB121. As an adult with lifelong food allergies, I was the ONLY student in my elementary school with this disease. Today, 2 of my children have food allergies &, on average, 1 in 13 children have them. Strict avoidance keeps us alive, and the quick use of epinephrine in the event of a reaction can save us. Epipen administration is simple; the hardest part for many people is getting over the fear of using it. The more one practices (with a trainer that has no needle) and the more one knows about signs of reactions & what to do in the event of one, the more likely one will be to take action in the event of an actual emergency. I commend the students at McLean HS for taking initiative with this project. Thank you for educating others on how to save my life and those of my children.

The Virginia PTA supports allergic reaction training for High School students.

The Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP) has concerns regarding HB 121. We feel that this would negatively impact valuable instructional time for students and teachers. As our educators work diligently to help students recover from the effects of Covid on education, we feel that this information could be built into the Health and Physical Education curriculum, thereby reducing the effect on instructional time.

I support this bill. Can we get some attention on Special Education Students who have no access to Education as required by Federal Laws, that school divisions are violating day after day without repercussion, while students and families go broke fighting corrupt school divisions who always seem to have more than adequate funding to send millions of taxpayer education dollars to their Third Party School Board Attorneys instead of providing Appropriate Accessible Education as required by FAPE and IDEA?

Comments Document

DOD written testimony attached. Oral testimony can be provided via Zoom.

Hi there, I'm Natalie from Social Busy Bee, your partner in the exciting world of Instagram growth. I've discovered something phenomenal for skyrocketing your Instagram popularity and I'm thrilled to share it with you! Social Growth Engine introduces a groundbreaking service that takes your Instagram engagement to new heights. It's effortless: - Zero in on producing unforgettable content. - Extremely budget-friendly at a mere $36/month. - Completely safe (no password needed), incredibly powerful, and Instagram's best friend. I've experienced remarkable results firsthand, and I'm sure you will too! Amplify your Instagram presence right now: http://get.socialbuzzzy.com/instagram_booster Best wishes, Natalie at Social Busy Bee"

Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant

Good morning, I would like to make some comments on HB398. My name is Carol Andrews and I currently teach at Radford High School. This is my 35th year of teaching, so needless to say I have seen many changes during my career - some good and some not so good. My concerns about HB398 are based on my school division who went all in on Restorative Justice and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies). We did all of the activities, tactics and strategies with these two philosophies and things did not turn out very well. I understand the concept of trying to use different intervention methods for students, but at what expense? We saw our behavior problems increase and morale with the student body, faculty and staff decrease. Everyone says that you have to have 100 percent buy in or it doesn't work. But sometimes these strategies just don't work. We had an increase of behaviors including extremely bad language, fights and disrespectfulness to faculty, staff and other students. These comments are not just coming from the adults, but also from the students. Many of the them feel the same way. I have spoken on many occasions with my students and they feel that the same students are the ones breaking the rules because they know not much of anything will be done to them. What are we teaching the next generation? That one can break the rules and have no consequences? I believe in giving everyone a second chance and even more to correct their behavior, but why should the 90 percent of the student body follow the rules and do what they need to do and the other 10 percent be allowed to break the rules over and over and not be held accountable the way they should? If you have not been in a public school as a teacher, staff member, administrator, coach, substitute or volunteer lately, I feel that you need to experience it personally before making decisions that affect those involved in education. I would recommend that you discuss this with educators across all parts of the state before finalizing your position on this issue. Thank you for you time.

Please vote in support of HB398. Students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined as compared to their non-disabled peers. Unfortunately, often those disciplinary actions are based on the staff member's "best intention" or "logic" rather than stemming from evidence-based approaches. What seems to make sense often, in fact, makes matters worse. I have witnessed this firsthand with my own children. And, as the past president of a parent organization representing students with disabilities in Fairfax County, unfortunately, I've heard story after story of inconsistent disciplinary actions taken toward students with disabilities - often making situations worse, further escalating situations, and ultimately contributing to additional trauma and mental health problems for these students.

Strongly Oppose. Requirement is top down and too proscriptive. VA Code § 22.1-279.3:3 already provides an alternative discipline process for instances that involve non-bodily harm. School boards (i.e., Fairfax) have a flexible framework that allows the principal to exercise his or her discretion in designing , developing , and implementing an adjudication process that is amenable to all affected parties. The adjudication process can include many of the techniques described in HB398, if the Principal and parties to the infraction believe it is appropriate. The state should not be dictating HOW to do it. According to the HB398's Fiscal Impact statement, the cost of this legislation at the local level is indeterminate: another unfunded mandate.

Comments Document

Discipline practices across the country continue to disproportionately impact marginalized populations, including students with disabilities. The Office of Civil Rights' most recent report on Student Discipline and School Climate (attached) clearly demonstrates these disproportionalities. The report explicitly says "Students with disabilities were overrepresented in discipline outcomes when compared to their total student enrollment in public schools. (Figure 4). These students represented 17% of total K-12 student enrollment, but 24% of students who received one or more in-school suspensions, 29% of those who received one or more out-of-school suspensions, and 21% of those who received expulsions. " It is critical that Virginia put in place laws that support and require the use of evidence-based restorative discipline practices. These students are also some of the most at-risk students academically. In order for the opportunity and achievement gaps for these populations to even begin to decrease, these children must actually be in school to receive instruction. Additionally, adequate training for teachers to implement these evidence-based restorative practices must be done consistently and with fidelity, along with support staff to support their implementation.

Comments Document

As a leader in my community in Richmond, Virginia who has worked with young people caught in our state’s juvenile justice system for the past decade, I would like to submit my formal support for HB398. I am the Cofounder and Managing Director for a nonprofit based in Richmond called The Hive. We help young people caught in our legal system and child welfare system transition into adulthood successfully. Our goal is to keep young people and young adults from returning to our legal system. I have worked as an arts educator, advocate, and nonprofit leader in this field since 2013 and I can confirm that using suspension and expulsion in its current design does not keep young people from violating their school’s code of conduct. In reality, it often is the starting point from which many young people ultimately end up in our legal system, causing further strain on an already stressed system. Punitive disciplinary action has been proven many times over to not yield the results they propose. Rather, it reinforces negative beliefs that students often already have of themselves and contributes to greater negative effects on a student’s future academic performance, attendance, and behavior (American Institutes for Research, 2021). Additionally, it has been demonstrated that students of color and students with disabilities are disproportionately harmed by punitive disciplinary policies. Virginia has been cited by the Center for Public Integrity, more than once, to lead the nation in its referrals to law enforcement for school-based disciplinary action. Legal Aid Justice Center released a study in 2019 that documented the disproportionate use of disciplinary action (Legal Aid Justice Center 2019). Countless studies done in Virginia and across the country continue to underscore this harmful trend. HB398 represents a new path forward, one that can address the underlying conditions that create unsafe schools. This bill supports the Virginia Department of Education’s 2021 “Model Guidance for Positive, Preventative Code of Student Conduct Policy and Alternatives to Suspension.” It’s time for our legislature to bring our state’s public school system into the 21st century and stop using outdated 20th-century practices. Upstream thinking is the idea that we can address social issues more deeply and sustainably by addressing conditions before they result in negative consequences. Young people who end up in our juvenile justice system or ultimately in our adult criminal justice system commonly first experience disciplinary punishment in schools. The use of restorative practices in school, as HB398 supports, allows our community to address issues upstream before we face the results downstream like incarceration. There are organizations and practitioners across the country and here in Virginia ready to partner with our public school system to implement evidence-based restorative justice programs, such as Dr. Ram Bhagat. I worked with Dr. Bhagat in 2021 to implement restorative justice practices in Richmond Public Schools, which they have done to a certain extent. Other districts that have adopted restorative practices include Chesterfield, Richmond City, Harrisonburg, Fairfax, Spotsylvania, Loudoun, and Roanoke. The expertise and infrastructure are in place. We need state policies and laws to reinforce this approach statewide. Sincerely, Trey Hartt

Fairfax County SEPTA (Special Education PTA), representing the over 30,000 students receiving special education services, their families, & staff who serve them, supports HB398. Students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined as compared to their non-disabled peers. We are strongly in favor of the use of evidence-based practices & interventions before the use of suspensions or expulsions.

Students with disabilities and students of color are disproportionately subjected to exclusionary discipline in Virginia's public schools. These same students face a multitude of other educational challenges. Exclusionary discipline does not address the underlying cause of a student's behavior, has adverse consequences for the child's educational success, and perpetuates the school to prison pipeline. For these reasons, we support HB398, which would require that schools implement at least one restorative justice intervention prior to resorting to exclusionary discipline in many circumstances; and we oppose HB853, which would impose a mandatory three-strikes-and-your-out approach to managing student behavior in classrooms across the commonwealth without leaving any discretion to teachers to implement more effective and less harmful interventions.

Please vote NO on HB 398. Discipline in school is a necessity for students and staff to be safe and to ensure a positive learning environment for students. Those who are disruptive, threatening, and violent need to face consequences that will stop and deter bad behavior. Without significant consequences, problem students will continue to create chaos and make it difficult for teachers to teach and students to learn. To continue to allow disruptive and dangerous behavior, with little to no consequences, will lead to more teachers leaving the profession, resulting in staff shortages and overcrowded classroom. Students and teachers deserve to feel safe in school. Not disciplining students who are causing trouble does them a disservice as well, as these children need to learn how to behave in socially acceptable ways.

Please vote no to this bill. We need more discipline and accountability, not less! I have students in middle and high school and there are no consequences (at least not serious ones) for seriously bad behavior. At a time when mass school shootings are at an all time high, our high school welcomed a student back who was expelled the previous year for bringing a gun on school property!

Please vote NO on HB398. I'm sitting here imagining what schools would be like with no consequences for student discipline problems. It would be a free for all in some classes/schools. Students who already act out by being disruptive, who don't care about the well-being and education of their classmates, would have no fear at all because there wouldn't be any repercussions. Students who already don't have a problem with putting their hands on other kids and teachers, would probably be more violent. And students who haven't brought a weapon to school yet because their punishment would be much greater than a school yard fight, will no longer fear any consequences. I would hope that in today's day and age, you as well as administrators, politicians, police, etc. would want to do whatever it takes to protect children and teachers from harm. So I ask you this. What good will come from passing this bill? And what potential serious ramifications will come from passing this bill? Did we already forget about the SIX YEAR OLD BOY who brought his mother's gun to school and SHOT HIS TEACHER?! There truly needs to be greater consequences and help for children with disciplinary problems, not less! So I implore you to do the right thing and vote NO for HB398! Thank you! Signed, ~ A taxpayer and more importantly, a mother of an 11 year old boy in a public school in Virginia Beach.

Please vote NO on HB 398. Learning about consequences is very important to young people. Improper behavior should result in discipline, not discussion. Teachers need to know they are valued and safe.

Please vote NO on HB 398.

I am more than concerned regarding this bill. With discipline at an all time low and no accountability for students’ nefarious behavior, this bill is appalling. As retired teacher of 45 years, I have seen, and now am hearing from colleagues still teaching, how students are running the schools. Please reconsider this bill which is nonproductive to modeling future good citizens. I would definitely be open to discussing this with you.

Delegates, PLEASE vote NO on HB 398. Allowing violence and intimidation to run rampant at school with no tangible consequences fosters an unstable teaching and learning environment. If a teacher 's safety and respect is threatened on a regular basis, how can someone educate effectively. Talk about a huge distraction! Likewise, students need fewer distractions in the school atmosphere to ensure a better learning experience. Facing potential assault and bullying often decreases the motivation of students to learn and teachers to instruct. Not a surprise that teachers are leaving the profession and students are leaving the public school system. Additionally, what message is sent to students who assault and taunt knowing that they will not have to suffer any discipline? Talking it through may help in some non violent cases, but what about those who are determined to be disruptive and violent ? If bad behavior isn't put in check at this stage, what happens when they go out into the general public? The damage to the students and teachers is real when no consequences are given for unacceptable violent and/or disruptive behavior. Vote NO on HB 398, thank you!

It is incredible that our legislators would pause more than a few seconds before voting NO on this bill. I read and hear too many stories of outrageous behavior by students in public schools. I saw a picture of a smiling legislator proposing teacher pay rises to stem the tide of teachers leaving their profession. Money does not solve the problems. It’s hard to believe that elementary school teachers are fearful for their safety. BUT IT’S TRUE. VOTE NO

As a retired educator I find that there are now few consequences for inappropriate behavior in a class. Lack of consequences will greatly undermine the teacher's authority as well as safety to an even greater degree than it has already. My wife is still teaching and I am concerned for her safety every day. Lack of consequences will further erode the atmosphere of the classroom making it increasingly difficult to do any meaningful teaching! A student desiring an education is denied that in a chaotic environment of an undisciplined classroom. Remove consequences? Imagine doing the same with traffic laws, even 'minor' ones. Chaos will ensue, maybe not today, or tomorrow, but it will come. I could not continue to teach under those circumstances. After struggling for a number of years, I found that the time and effort I expended to attain my M.eD. after retirement from the Navy would have been better and more effectually spent pursuing a business degree. No wonder teacher recruitment is in such disarray,

Ref: HB398 It is vital that you vote no! As a 35 year veteran of public schools I am left speechless daily this year due to the posturing and aggression exhibited by the students in middle school. Students with 3 even 4 incidents of fighting come back to the school day after day feeling more empowered to bully classmates and teachers. Protecting school property, other students, and myself should not be a daily concern. The community is not going to ignore these behaviors when they leave public schools. We are not preparing these students to be contributing members of society when we tolerate and try to talk away aggressive behaviors in the classroom -

Vote NO to HB398!!!

Delegates; Please vote "NO." Discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools due to bills like this that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment. This bill could require teachers who have been assaulted by students (which is happening) to provide "mediation" or a "restorative circle" rather than meaningful discipline. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill will only exacerbate the teacher shortage. You should be doing everything you can to create a safe and secure learning environment for both students and teachers...this bill won't be doing that.

Please vote No-This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage. Thank you for your consideration.

Please vote NO on house bill 398! Reducing the ability of teachers and administrators to discipline students will cause additional teachers to depart the profession worsening a teacher shortage. Also, keeping students who have had significant behavioral issues in the classroom due to alternatives to discipline will creat disruption in the learning process and environment. I have two school aged children and do not want to see this bill enacted and affecting my children’s classrooms. Please vote NO to HB 398. Thank you. Mike Lowdermilk

Disruptions in our school buildings are at an all time high. They impede instruction, academic progress and threaten safety. Administrators must have autonomy to find the most effective measures for maintaining a safe, peaceful environment for optimal instruction. Do not tie the hands of our principals. They are the professionals. Vote NO on HB 398. Sincerely, Gloria Boyd School board member

I urge you to vote a resounding NO to HB389. Discipline issues are already through the roof; please don't make it worse. Vote NO.

Please vote "no" on this proposal. Most school systems use a ladder of increasingly harsh punishments on disruptive students to eliminate subjectivism on behalf of the school, Most children learn at an early age that misbehavior on their part generates punishment from those with charge over them. If they didn't learn this cause/effect cycle before preschool they need to learn it asap for the good of society. Many liberals worry about the schools to prison pipeline. This bill will NOT help. If students can't/don't behave in school, they will most certainly be a problem in general society after they leave school. Teachers have 10-40 students in a class. There is no learning without classroom order. Allowing a disruptive student to remain or have their poor behavior to go unpunished punishes the students who want to learn and are a threat to the teachers.

With common sense and overwhelming empirical evidence available from the parents ,teachers and students in our public schools, vote NO on this ill- conceived bill. Teachers and parents are fleeing public schools at alarming rates because of a multitude of behavioral problems. Systems that did away with “resource officers” a/k/a police,are bringing them back. If anything ,increase the measures available to administrators and teachers in dealing with disruptive behavior. Remember Richneck Elementary in Newport News, where administrators (felt compelled ?) to take no action in a clearly dangerous situation.I note that many of the comments are from Virginia Beach,which has one of the best school systems in the state. We see and hear of the assaults, shootings, disrespect for authority in other surrounding systems. Save us from that.Thank you, Harvey Bryant , Retired Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach after 14 years .

I am writing to ask the delegates to vote NO to HB 398. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage. Thank you for your consideration.

Please vote no on this bill as our schools already have issues with school discipline. There is a lack of discipline and the students have no respect for authority as they know there are no consequences for their disruptive behavior. Disruptive students negatively affect the learning of other students. All children need discipline and without it there will be no learning in schools, only chaos.

Please vote "NO." Discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools due to bills like these that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment. This bill could require teachers who have been assaulted by students (which is happening) to provide "mediation" or a "restorative circle" rather than meaningful discipline. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage.

If you don't know that teachers are walking away from the profession in staggering numbers, where have you been? PBIS is being pushed in schools, where we are told to "ignore negative behaviors and make examples of the positive ones" while teachers are being physically and verbally assaulted by students as young as Kindergarten and parents on a daily basis. Our work place is not safe. BEHAVIOR ESCALATES! As a parent, we know that if we don't address a situation or behavior it will become worse in the future. If we don't address issues that aren't deemed " most serious" in schools, then the behavior will escalate as the child is not getting the response desired. This is true in schools and we see if every single day. Kids are violent toward peers and adults in the school and since there are no consequences for their actions, nothing changes. We don't feel safe. Students can't learn in a environment where they don't feel safe and the worst part is that students today will think seeing and experiencing this type of behavior in the classroom is NORMAL. We are not teaching in a positive and comfortable learning environment, but rather a battle ground. Students go off if they don't want to do something and it stops everyone from learning. Our job as school professionals is to TEACH and instill a love of learning. How can you LOVE learning when you are afraid you will be attacked? DO NOT VOTE YES on this!

Please vote NO on Senate Bill 398!! Disruptive and violent student behaviors in public school are at an all time high. As it is currently, teachers are leaving the profession due to behaviors and the ineffectiveness of PBIS. If Senate Bill 398 passes, there will be a greater exodus of teachers across the state. I, for one, will not remain in a profession that is unsafe due to a lack of accountability and discipline for disruptive and violent behaviors.

Please vote "NO." VOTE NO ON HB 398. Discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools due to bills like these that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment. This bill could require teachers who have been assaulted by students (which is happening) to provide "mediation" or a "restorative circle" rather than meaningful discipline. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage.

I urge the delegates to vote NO on this bill. Removing meaningful consequences for students actions when it comes to behavior violations is not in the best interests of the students, teachers or the broader public. In a time where discipline problems are worsening significantly and assaults on teachers and staff is a growing problem, it is a mistake to reduce penalties for students. This not only encourages bad behavior, but it disincentives people from going in to the teaching profession.

I respectfully ask House members to vote "NO" on this bill. This bill seeks to codify into law the worthless piece of VBOE policy called "2021 Model Guidance for Positive, Preventative Code of Student Conduct Policy and Alternatives to Suspension." The aforementioned "guidance" and the proposed bill seek to codify a phrase called "evidence-based restorative disciplinary practice" into law. This is a bad idea for several reasons. First, the so-called "evidence" presented in VBOE policy is sourced from hyper-partisan entities such as the Southern Poverty Law Center and the teachers union known as the National Education Association, to name a few. No conservative or right-leaning agency or publication is quoted as a source for the so-called "evidence-based practices" in the VBOE guidance. More importantly, the authors of the VDOE guidance (which reads like Marxist drivel) made no effort to coordinate or include the dissenting views of teachers/parents who would reject the so-called "evidence" presented by VBOE. Second, all the so-called "evidence-based practices" that this bill would codify into law are firmly rooted in the failed narrative of diversity, inclusion, and equity. The sham "evidence" being referred to in this bill uses the word equity 66 times, diversity 12 times, and inclusion eight times. The sham practices in the VBOE guidance use the unproven idea of "restorative justice" to remedy the bad behavior of a few students and make no mention whatsoever of the negative impact of the student's behavior on the teacher or other students in the learning environment. Third, as a matter of good governance, elected officials should always vote "NO" against legislation that inculcates hyper-partisan policy statements from **unelected state bureaucrats** into law because it removes the power of local elected officials. To be clear, if the hyper-partisan VBOE "Model Guidance" of sham "evidence-based practices" is made into law, it will significantly hamper the options local school boards (and the parents who vote for them) have to deal with discipline issues in the classroom. Finally, it would behoove members in the House to take a step back and reflect on how poorly the VBOE has done on any objective measures regarding success in our schools. Policy statements like this one from VBOE have been around since 2004. Have test scores continually improved since then? Have discipline issues continually improved since then? Is Virginia leading the way in educational excellence over the other 49 states? Are teachers happy with the state of discipline in the schools, or are they leaving in droves? The objective evidence clearly shows test scores are down, and teachers consistently mention poor discipline in the classroom as a significant concern that negatively impacts their job performance. Do we really want to inculcate failed guidance from VBOE into law? No, we do not and should not. The failed narratives of DIE and SEL, and all Marxist policy derived from them, need to end. Parents, children, teachers, school boards, and school staff should not have to deal with hyper-partisan and sham-based VBOE guidance shoved down their throats under the cover of Virginia law. VOTE NO on the horrible piece of legislation called HB 398.

Please vote "NO." Discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools due to bills like these that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment. This bill could require teachers who have been assaulted by students (which is happening) to provide "mediation" or a "restorative circle" rather than meaningful discipline. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage. I am submitting on a personal basis but I do work for Virginia Beach City Public Schools and have been working here for over 24 years. I work in the office that handles discipline hearings for students. PLEASE VOTE NO! Thank you!

HB398 Please vote a resounding “NO” Our teachers need the protection as well as students need the knowledge of their acts having consequences.

Absolutely not. Basic discipline must come first. When schools replace strong discipline systems with restorative justice (because they are told to do so), they find a decline in student behavior. It is important to bring back strong discipline protocols into schools to help ensure student and teacher safety. Student discipline is also a strong factor in a school being able to secure substitutes. When discipline is poor, substitutes don't want to work at the school. Neither do teachers. Please use your votes to help bring back schools that are predictable in terms of student expectations and a stronger learning climate.

Please vote "NO." Discipline problems are at an all-time high in Virginia Beach public schools due to bills like these that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment and create an unsafe and fearful school experience for other students. Students who assault teachers (which is happening) should not be provided "mediation" or a "restorative circle", these students require meaningful discipline and criminal charges to be filed as appropriate. Out-of-control discipline problems in schools are causing teachers to leave the profession and leave school districts open to civil litigation from not addressing student discipline problems or reports of direct threats (teacher shot by student in Newport News). Virginia should be protecting our teachers, administrators and the vast majority of non-violent students, not prioritizing and justifying violent students behavior.

Please vote NO... to hb398...we need discipline and order in schools not chaos and disruption, Thank you

To Whom it may Concern, Public schools that provide clear consequences and boundaries for one’s actions will lead to increased safety for all. VOTE NO on HB 398 TO PROTECT SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS. Elizabeth Resnick

Urge you to vote NO- nowhere have these policies proven to be effective. People need consequences and even the threat of consequences to motivate their behavior. How are you creating safe places for education when staff members and students know they could be attacked and the response would be to mediate with the attacker? We should be creating zero tolerance policies not lowering the standards. You have a responsibility to demand people come to the places and abide by the rules. You are literally creating a policy to help people who are not following the rules the first time! Why do you think this helps anyone other than the people who can’t and won’t listen? Policies like this are the reason why staff do not feel supported and leave the public education sector for private where they do feel protected.

I would like to respectfully request the for Delegates to please vote NO on the HB398 Bill. I am retired, from VBCPS and have personally witnessed the decay in discipline, among other things. Students disrespecting staff and other students; there’s no repercussions while putting others, in danger; running/walking hitting each other, fighting, girls wearing outfits where parts of their bodies should not be exposed in an environment intended for learning. Not a single staff member speaks to them about their outfits. Kids running in the hallways. I was personally hurt on the back of my ankle while walking to a classroom in the hallway. Parents send their children to school to learn, I believe that “Learning” should include respect for others. I used to feel good when my own children attended VBCPS. For the past few year I worry about my Grandchildren; Thankfully, this is the last year is the last year, as they’ll be graduating. * I write this only for the rest of the students that will be subjected to attend a school system in decay. Respectfully, Ms. Blanco

Discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools due to bills like these that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment. This bill could require teachers who have been assaulted by students (which is happening) to provide "mediation" or a "restorative circle" rather than meaningful discipline. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage.

VOTE NO ON BILL HB398. We need discipline in our schools and our children need consequences for their actions. Teachers need to know they can act accordingly without being attacked by a student. If kids don’t learn that actions have consequences, violence will just escalate.

Please vote no on HB398. The introduction of this bill just exemplifies the paucity of intellect of certain legislators!

Please vote “no” on HB398.

Vote NO!! Discipline problems are rampant in Virginia public schools. Teachers and administrators need to have the ability to discipline students who violate rules, are disruptive, and/or assault teachers, administrators, or other students This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in our schools. Teachers are leaving in drives because of the lack of discipline in our schools. This bill will drive more of them out of the public school profession.

I urge you to vote NO on HB 398. Students need to be taught there are consequences for their actions!! Teachers are already leaving the profession due to discipline issues and they need your support by voting NO!! Mediation is not the answer and let’s not waste our time on “feelings “ teach them if they do wrong the pay the price. My husband volunteers in PRE K classes 2 times per week and he sees first hand with 4 and 5 year olds getting in trouble only to be sent back to the classroom. Think about that PRE K , if no consequences at that age what happens as they move up the grades? VOTE NO save the kids and staff!!!

"VOTE NO!!" ON BILL HB398. W e need discipline in our schools and our children need consequences for their actions. Teachers need to know they can act accordingly without being attacked by a student.

I urge you to vote NO on HB398. As we all know, discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools, and bills like these restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide appropriate and effective consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and cause class disruptions. These discipline problems impact all students and the learning environment. Teachers are leaving the profession because they feel unsafe and that their hands are tied (and they are not supported) in matters of discipline and this bill will further exacerbate that problem. Mediation may be appropriate in some circumstances for first time offenders but in many cases it is not sufficient in dealing with the serious issues that arise in our our classrooms today.

Do not vote for this bill. We do not need to be restricting the application of appropriate disciplinary actions,

PLEASE VOTE NO. Teachers are already leaving the schools frustrated bc the discipline problems and behavioral issues are not being addressed. Restorative Justice does not work. Just look at other states and the issues they have dealt with. Children need to be held accountable for their actions and choices.

Please vote NO. If passed, this bill will further contribute to the teacher shortage problem throughout the state. Teachers are leaving the profession due to increasing student discipline problems. Teachers are being assaulted by students, threatened by students, and more. Teachers and administrators must have all tools available to provide appropriate consequences to students who are disrupting the learning environment for all. Requiring "peer mediation" or "restorative circles" may work in some circumstances but all involved must be agreeable which often doesn't happen. If passed, this bill will further exacerbate the discipline problems in the classroom. Students need firms boundaries and meaningful consequences for misbehavior.

Vote YES

Vote YES to restorative justice practices 398 THANK YOU for this bill that is evidence based and will change lives

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma. It is overdue 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES civic engagement encouraged 386- YES 398- YES incredible practice to prevent punishment and foster healthy development 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES Nalaxone critical and life saving

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma 214- YES increase safety and change culture 224- YES to save lives with training 253- YES students' voices are critical and will teach power of speaking up for themselves 386- YES 398- YES restorative justice changes lives and prevents school to prison pipeline. Lynchburg has found restorative practices to be so impactful that a federal grant was just awarded almost 1M to continue 497- YES SAVE LIVES 498 YES save lives 603 YES save lives reduce stigma 686 YES 732 YES save lives

A student could assault a teacher and the only discipline they receive could be community service or mentoring? If this bill is passed it will only cause the violence in schools to increase. Please do NOT support this bill.

I write in support of HB536. This bill clarifies what it means to be bullied in a public school setting. As Unitarian Universalists we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all people as already respected by the Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.2-3900 et seq.) in places of employment. It is simple common sense that a student learning how to navigate the world would be protected from bullying in school in exactly the same ways as an employee in a workplace. Speech that causes harm, exclusion, and othering needs to be recognized for the dysfunction that it is and has caused in our society. We urge advancement of this long overdue measure of respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people.

I write in support of HB536. This bill clarifies what it means to be bullied in a public school setting. As Unitarian Universalists we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all people as already respected by the Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.2-3900 et seq.) in places of employment. It is simple common sense that a student learning how to navigate the world would be protected from bullying in school in exactly the same ways as an employee in a workplace. Speech that causes harm, exclusion, and othering needs to be recognized for the dysfunction that it is and has caused in our society. We urge advancement of this long overdue measure of respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people.

Support HB 536 --- and support our children in the schools!

Comments Document

Dear Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Committee on Education, I write to you on behalf of GLSEN, the leading national organization on LGBTQ+ issues in K-12 education. GLSEN is committed to ensuring that all youth – including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and intersex youth – have equal opportunities to thrive, grow, and reach their full potential. GLSEN works to build safe and affirming learning environments for LGBTQ+ youth while advancing racial, gender, and disability justice in education settings. GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey (NSCS) has consistently found that students identify lower rates of bullying and harassment in schools where there is an anti-bullying policy that enumerates and expressly prohibits bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Enumeration is necessary to protect all students as research has consistently shown that students experience less bullying, feel safer overall, and that teachers are more likely to intervene to prevent incidents of bullying in schools with enumerated policies. According to the NSCS (2021), only 13% of LGBTQ+ students in Virginia identified that they attended a school with a comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment policy that included specific protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Only 11% had a policy or official guidelines to support transgender and nonbinary students. Given the high percentages of LGBTQ+ students in Virginia who experience harassment at school, and the limited access to key resources and supports, we urge this committee to advance this bill and provide safe learning environments for all students. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation that specifically prohibits bullying and harassment of students in K-12 schools based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We urge the Virginia legislature to pass and implement this common-sense, widely adopted policy with all due haste. This written testimony and more information can be found in the file attached. Thank you!

Comments Document

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is grateful for the opportunity to comment in support of House Bill 536. Transgender students experience pervasive bullying and harassment at school with severe implications for their mental health and academic opportunities and performance. By including gender identity among the enumerated characteristics protected by state anti-bullying policy, HB 536 will make schools safer for transgender students. Please see the attached document for NCTE's full statement.

Comments Document

The attached document was written in support of HB 536 and highlights the positive outcomes associated with explicit LGBTQ+ protections in anti-bullying laws.

Comments Document

My name is Shannon McKay, I'm the Executive Director of He She Ze and We, a nonprofit that supports Transgender and Nonbinary people by empowering their families, allies, and communities to create life-saving, inclusive environments. I ask you to support HB536! School is where Virginia's youth spend the majority of their time. It is important that all students are respected and protected from bullying and harassment in their learning environments. To ensure that all underrepresented and marginalized students are included in protective anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies, it is important to be specific. LGBTQ students, especially gender diverse students, in VA public schools often receive harassment which includes mental, verbal, and/or physical abuse at much higher rates than their cisgender peers. LGBTQ students of color, experience much higher rates. HB536 would adjust the definition of "bullying" in the context of public education to specify that the real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor and victim includes such a power imbalance on the basis of the actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, religion, or other distinguishing characteristics of the victim. By enumerating the language in a policy to include underrepresented and marginalized communities, it would protect the students whom are most vulnerable. Acknowledging the existence of students in these communities, may even help promote understanding, compassion, and respect of differences. Please vote YES on HB536! So that all of the students of all of the intersections of identities listed above can feel seen, valued, respected, and protected. Virginia has been on the right side of history in regards to laws and legislation that protect LGBTQ+ youth. I hope you will continue to protect all VA youth, which means including transgender youth. Please see the attached document with a few stats from the Trevor Project referring to the harm that anti-LGBTQ and anti-Trans legislation causes on the mental health of LGBTQ students. Thank you, Shannon McKay

Please support HB 536

I am writing in support of HB 536. As a current high school student who identifies as LGBTQ+, I have witnessed the effects of anti-LGBTQ+ behavior on my peers, and therefore recognize the importance of anti-bullying and harassment legislation that explicitly protects LGBTQ+ students. All students, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, should feel safe and supported at school, and the best way to ensure this is through legislation that clearly defines and prohibits this behavior. My peers and I deserve a safe space where we can learn without fear of bullying and harassment, and we are relying on legislation such as HB 536 to help make this a reality.

As a gay man who grew up in a small town, I was bullied all of my life. This has had a lasting impact on my self-esteem. Teachers and staff did nothing about it. If fact those doing it were on sports teams so no action would have taken. Young folks need to have protections in place.

I support HB 536. This legislation helps provide clarity to enable a school system to formulate effective policies with regard to bullying.

As a high school teacher for over twenty-five years and the mother of a non-binary child, I ask you to support HB 536. Throughout middle and high school, my child suffered mental health issues, including suicide ideation, which could have been averted if society and schools better understood the vulnerability of LGBTQ+ youth. Please help protect future young people by giving them this support.

YES

Support YES

I am writing in Support of HB 536. Established policies help students, teachers, parents, and all school staff have a support system that weathers changes in administration. Schools with anti-bullying policies report less bullying. Enumerating specific groups allows for conversations about what we all share as humans, and the opportunity to learn that there is strength in diversity. In Virginia, only 32% of LGBTQIA+ students reported the harassment they experienced; of those 32%, only 27% reported a resulting change. That's approximately 3 in 10 students reporting bullying, and then just 1 of the 3 youths experiencing any external validation of their trauma, any sense of community, sense of safety. I am childless by choice and I believe that any child has right to expect that all the adults involved in their care can be trusted with their health and well-being. I believe children have the right to feel safe at school at I believe HB 536 is a way to foster that safety.

Chair and Subcommittee Members, My name is Narissa Rahaman. I am the Executive Director of Equality Virginia, the leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in Virginia. We are in support of House Bill 536 and thank Delegate Cole for championing this critical piece of legislation that will make Virginia schools safer for all students, not just some. Current Virginia anti-bullying law does not enumerate any specific groups of students who must be protected but protects students generally. GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey has consistently found that when LGBTQI+ youth report that their school has an anti-bullying policy that enumerates and expressly prohibits bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity, they are more likely to report their harassment and bullying. No student should fear going to school, but the vast majority of LGBTQ+ students in Virginia regularly heard anti-LGBTQ+ remarks. - 55% regularly heard school staff make homophobic remarks (55%) and negative remarks about someone’s gender expression (70%). - Additionally, most LGBTQ+ students in Virginia experienced anti-LGBTQ+ victimization at school. - They also experienced victimization at school based on religion (21%), disability (37%), and race/ethnicity (21%). - Most never reported the incident to school staff (68%), and of those who had, only 27% of LGBTQ+ students said that it resulted in effective staff intervention. GLSEN Research has found that students who attended schools with an enumerated policy heard fewer homophobic and racist remarks compared to students with no anti-bullying policy. These students were also less likely to perceive bullying, name-calling, or harassment as a problem at their school compared to students in schools with a generic policy or with no policy. Enumerated anti-bullying & harassment policy also supports our educators. Educators in schools with enumerated anti-bullying policies reported higher levels of comfort addressing bullying based on sexual orientation (77.7% v. 53.9%) and gender expression (72.3% v. 52.2%) than educators in schools with no anti-bullying policy. Educators report feeling “somewhat” or “very comfortable” intervening in bias-based bullying behavior based on sexual orientation (77.7%), gender expression (72.3%), and race (80.5%) in schools with an enumerated anti-bullying policy. House Bill 536 is one step in ensuring Virginia’s K-12 schools are free from bullying harassment. We urge you to support this legislation. Thank you.

I am writing in support of HB 536. As a high school counselor, it is exceedingly helpful to clearly and definitively name protected groups in anti-bullying and harassment policies when working to create a safer school environment. Clear and specific definitions provide school boards, principals, and all school employees with explicit guidance on both their actions and the expectations for student behavior, as well as the appropriate school response when these actions/behaviors are not followed. There is also extensive research showing that when antibullying and antiharassment school policies specifically list all protected classes, schools are rated as safer and have fewer incidents of bullying/harassment. As a result, students are more likely to remain in school and graduate on time.

Comments Document

DOD written testimony is attached. We will be available for oral testimony via Zoom.

Comments Document

DOD written testimony attached. Oral testimony can be provided via Zoom.

Comments Document

Thank you for considering important legislation that would direct the department to develop a model policy and urge local school divisions to adopt policies to protect students from harmful devices and online content during crucial classroom hours. At the ExcelinEd National Summit on Education last November, guests heard research from Dr. Jonathan Haidt who has extensively researched the impacts of phones and social media on kids and the impacts have been detrimental. Please see the attachment for research and information about the negative impacts of phone-based childhoods and distractions during the school day. Thank you for your consideration; ExcelinEd in Action supports this legislation.

Please amend this to ensure that any model policies created from this law include exceptions for students with disabilities. Cell phones are now used for medical purposes - for ex, apps can now monitor insulin levels for those who have type 1 diabetes. Students with mental health needs and/or executive functioning needs may also require their use to access their education. These needs must be explicitly addressed and included to ensure these students retain such essential access.

Please vote to pass HB667. Children in ALL zip codes deserve better educational choice than what they are receiving in urban areas in failing public schools.

Please vote to pass HB882 . Cell phones are weapons of mass distraction and are ruining our kids' minds and behavior.

Comments Document

Thank you for considering important legislation that would direct the department to develop guidelines and local school divisions to adopt policies to protect students from harmful devices and online content during crucial classroom hours. At the ExcelinEd National Summit on Education last November, guests heard research from Dr. Jonathan Haidt who has extensively researched the impacts of phones and social media on kids and the impacts have been detrimental. Please see the attachment for research and information about the negative impacts of phone-based childhoods and distractions during the school day. Thank you for your consideration; ExcelinEd in Action supports this legislation.

While the fentanyl crisis should have strong community support with mental health and addiction services for adolescents, getting information to our students and their families is critical. Delegate Lovejoy's idea to direct the VDOE to create a fact sheet for students is one way to help bring correct information to the public. I support this and encourage the development of the prevention programs, crisis management, and recovery care to support adolescents in Virginia.