Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • November 2, 2011 FLOW Area District issues annual violence/vandalism report by Frank J. McMahon A report on violence and vandalism in the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District during the 2010-11 school year was recently presented to the board of education by Superintendent Lauren Schoen as part of National Violence Prevention Week, Oct. 17 through 21, which was recognized in all school districts in the state. Director of the Office of Student Support Services Susan Martz explained in a Sept. 26 letter to all superintendents, charter school leaders, and administrators of approved private schools for students with disabilities that New Jersey school districts and charter schools would be required to observe the week by providing age-appropriate instruction focusing this year on preventing harassment, intimation, or bullying in order to recognize the importance of character education. The annual report on violence and vandalism is required under the 1982 Public School Safety Law that was enacted by the New Jersey Legislature in response to the problem of violence and vandalism in the state’s public schools. All school districts must submit the report to the commissioner of education who must submit a report to the education committees of the Senate and General Assembly detailing the extent of violence and vandalism in the public schools and making recommendations to alleviate those problems. In the district’s annual report, Schoen advised there were 21 incidents of violence in the district during the 201011 school year versus 40 the previous year. The incidents included fights, simple assaults, harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Schoen also reported there were six incidents of vandalism versus two in the previous year, no weapons offenses versus two the previous year, and 20 substance abuse offenses versus 24 the previous year. As a result of these acts of violence, vandalism, and substance abuse cases, there were 16 times when the police were notified without complaints being filed versus 10 in the previous year, three times when the police were notified with complaints filed versus 16 the previous year, 40 instances of in-school suspensions versus 35 the previous year, and 49 instances of out-of school suspensions versus 81 the previous year, but no expulsions, unilateral removals, or removal by an administrative law judge, which is the same as the previous year. There were 53 student offenders versus 73 the previous year, 27 student victims versus 24 the previous year, no school personnel victim versus one school personnel victim the previous year, but one student victim of a violent criminal offense versus none the previous year. The disciplinary actions taken by the school district included assignments, instruction and/or support services in 53 cases versus 73 the previous year, an in-school program in 38 cases versus 25 the previous year, no in-district programs versus in 25 the previous year, and home assignment or home instruction in 46 cases versus 72 the previous year, and no out of district programs, which is the same as the previous year. Wyckoff residents Ashlee Bradbury, Cheryl Doughan, Emily Doughan, Jeni Doughan, and Joe Doughan, are taking a step forward in the fight against brain tumors in the National Brain Tumor Society’s Race for Hope in Philadelphia on Nov. 6. The Wyckoff walkers are joining people nationwide who want to make a difference for all those affected by brain tumors. The Race for Hope in Philadelphia is one of 15 nationwide events organized by the National Brain Tumor Society Walkers from Wyckoff seek support to raise both awareness and funding for the fight against brain tumors. The 5K run/walk will take place at the steps of the Museum of Art. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and programs and activities run from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information about the Race for Hope, or to support a participant, visit www.RaceForHopePA.org, e-mail RacePAInfo@braintumor.org, or call (866) 4553214. Learn more about the National Brain Tumor Society Summit at www.braintumor.org/Summit.