School District Homepage
Policy Index

806. CHILD ABUSE


Date Adopted: April 27, 1981
Date Revised: April 25, 1988

1. Purpose

The Board of Public Education recognizes that successful school achievement depends both on the quality of instruction and the physical and emotional well-being of the learner.

This policy reflects concern regarding child abuse and accepts the role of the School District in:

Providing all possible assistance to students who suffer abuse

Requiring the reporting of suspected child abuse in accordance with the law

Cooperating with appropriate community agencies

Mandating staff development to fulfill the purpose of this policy

Evaluating school environment continually for the purpose of timely identification and reporting of suspected child abuse.

2. Definition

Child Abuse shall be defined in accordance with the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law, the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare, and the decisions of the Courts of this Commonwealth. This definition shall be implemented in the directives of the School Operations Manual.

3. Delegation of Responsibility

The Superintendent shall set forth the legal definition of child abuse and provide regulations for compliance with the statutory requirements that instances of child abuse be reported. Such regulations shall:

inform all staff members having contact with students of their responsibility to report all cases of abuse, abandonment, cruelty or neglect resulting in physical or mental injury by other than accidental means

designate the school principal as the staff member who shall report suspected instances of child abuse to the appropriate county welfare agency

require prompt attention to injuries which result from abuse as to protect the health of the child

provide for the release to the appropriate county child welfare agency the name and age of the child as well as the name and address of the parent(s) or guardian(s) and information regarding the nature and extent of the child's injuries, abuse or maltreatment and such information which, in the opinion of the Superintendent, has a bearing on the suspected child abuse.
 
 

References:

School Code: SS 1319 Act 124 of 1975
11 P.S. SS 2203
55 PA Code 3490.4
School Operations Manual 504