Almost Spring Fever

Hello everyone out there in VADIR land,

VADIR happenings have been a bit few and far between, but now it's time to gear up for another spring and summer of VADIR DATA!!!!

Thanks to "anonymous" for checking in to see if anything is new.

The new Q&A document (updated October 2008) does have a new section on Records Retention. Take a look at it because it is very different from the previous requirement of six years. For the document, go here:

http://http//www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/documents/VADIRQA1008final.doc

The particular item is Question 3:

>>>>>>>3. How long must a school retain VADIR related documents including, but not limited to Individual Incident Reports and Summary Reports?

After further review of the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule ED-1, SED has modified its previous guidance that VADIR records should be retained for 6 years. Records Retention and Disposition Schedule ED-1 states that violent and disruptive incident reports and summary records, including copies of summary information submitted to SED must be maintained until the youngest person involved in the incident(s) is 27 years old.

It further states that summary records may need to be retained longer, even permanently, if they document school violence, or if a school has been designated a persistently dangerous school. It recommends that the school district contact the State Archives for additional advice.

Additionally, violent and disruptive incident data received back from SED only needs to be retained until after the data is verified and any necessary corrections completed.

In addition, persistently dangerous school designation records, including SED citation, plan for corrective action (i.e., IRP), results of audits and monitoring, student transfer protocol and lists of transferring students, and documentation of removal of designation must be retained permanently.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

So please review this and consider how best to maintain all that VADIR data - maintain it, use it, analyze it and plan with it!

Stay safe,
VR

The Clock is Ticking

Hello Folks,
It's official. NYSED has announced that it will officially open it's portal to receive VADIR data with a final due date of September 30, 2008. Schools should be submitting their 2007-08 data.

For the newest documents go here.

The reporting forms, the glossary and a NEW QUESTIONS & ANSWER DOCUMENT have been posted so please check them out for the latest guidance.

Also know that you can call or write to the New York State Center for School Safety at 845-255-8989 or scss@mhric.org with any questions or comments.

The training schedule is listed in another post here, as well as at nyscenterforschoolsafety.org/vadir.html.

Stay safe,
VR

VADIR News and Notes

While you've been frolicking in the sand and surf, your VR has been gathering some VADIR tidbits to send forth for your information and enjoyment.

The annual event that has become known as the "Summer VADIR Roadshow," rivaling the ever-hoped-for Beatles reunion and ABBA comeback tour, has officially been scheduled.
To view the schedule and a location near you go here. Contact information is included, so please register in advance. While we don't have wristbands, we do want to prevent any scalping at the door!

Can't make it to regional session, you say? Fear not! Keep checking back here for the new and snazzy technology your VR is setting up to help you get the information and to help you train folks in your district.

Thanks to the Ulster BOCES Educational Technology Department, presentations from the New York State Education Department and the New York State Center for School Safety will be availble through videostreaming on the web. You'll get an update on SAVE, an overview of the VADIR reporting system, and instructions on electronically submitting the data.

For a more interactive VADIR learning experience, you'll find the "VADIR 101" webinar which will be available for training folks in your building.

More on both of these coming to a computer near you in mid-August!

If there is another way you can think of that we can spread the word that is VADIR, please comment here. Even if you can't think of one, let us know you're out there!

Stay safe,
VR

Summertime and VADIR

They go together like a hand in glove! Well, not exactly as musical as hoped, but it's that time again.

The New York State Education Department and the New York State Center for School Safety will be embarking on their annual road show to update you on the most recent happenings in NCLB, SAVE legislation and an overview of the VADIR reporting system.

The above link (click on the title of this post) will get you right to the scheduled session and contact person for your region. The schedule is also right here for those of you who may be "link leery or weary!"

Hope to see you out at a session!

2008 Violent and Distruptive Incident Reporting Training Sessions

August 5 - Hudson Valley
Ulster BOCES
Contact: Tammy Rhein
845-255-4874
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m and 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

August 6 - Albany
Capital Region BOCES
Contact: Erin Brewer
518-464-3972
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

August 12 - Long Island
Nassau BOCES
Contact: Pete LaDuca
516-396-2388
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Western Suffolk BOCES
Contact: Susan Kessler
631-595-6814
12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

August 13
Syracuse
Contact: Lee Beals
315-431-8556

August 14
Buffalo
Contact: Jane Ogilvie
716-821-7550

It's That Time!

It is official. NOVEMBER 21, 2007 is the due date for the electronic submission of VADIR data.

If you have any questions, all guidance related information can be found at this site:
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SDFSCA/uvir/home_uvir_vadir.htm

A few points to remember:

New guidance is available as of October 11, 2007 so be sure and work with the most current information.

Building level data is submitted in summary form.

Until SED receives the Superintendent's sign off on the building level data, the submission will NOT be considered official.

You can also contact the New York State Center for School Safety if you have any questions. We're available by phone at 845-255-8989; by fax at 845-255-3836; and by email at scss@mhric.org. So please reach out to us. We're happy to help.

Stay safe,
VF

New VADIR Guidance

The new guidance from NYSED is available now. Please click on the title of this entry to head straight to the new glossary. Why? Because it's new!

Especially note the changes to Category 2.2 - Other Sexual Offenses where they have provided additional information related to "mooning" incidents. Those incidents may now be reported either as Category 10 - Intimidation, Harrassment, Menacing or Bullying or as Category 20 - Other Disruptive Incidents depending on the circumstances of the actual incident.

Also, Category 17 has been further expanded. Category 17 is Weapons Possession Only; 17.1 covers weapons confiscated upon entry to the building by scanning; and 17. 2 is now Weapons Found Under Other Circumstances.

Also, according to NYSED "as of October 11, 2007 the VADIR Questions and Answers document is being updated. This document will be posted as soon as it becomes final." So look for the new Q&A soon.

Also, oh so much news, keep checking back because the VADIR reporting due date will also be announced at the NYSED website soon.

Please check the new documents at this link. It's new. Have I mentioned there is new guidance????

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me through comments here at the blog. It's what your trusty VADIR Radar lives for.

Stay safe,
VR

What we did over summer vacation

It's back to school time and time to wax nostalgic already about our summer vacations. "What summer vacation?" you may say. Your VR agrees! However, that means that there was a lot of work done over the summer, so let's recap a couple of items of VADIR-interest.....

Ten VADIR updates were held across the State with a turnout of over 1,000 folks. As you know there is always a cadre of new administrators, and folks came ready to learn about the latest news in the reporting system. Contact your regional Student Support Services Center if you would like to schedule a follow-up training in your area.

The current thinking for 06-07 VADIR data submission is: documentation posted at NYSED's website mid-October with a deadline for submission by November 15. REMEMBER, that is the current thinking. Always check this website:

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SDFSCA/uvir/home_uvir_vadir.htm

The New York State Center for School Safety's website:

http://nyscenterforschoolsafety.org/save.html

Or come right back here and check in with your trust VR for any notification of an EARLIER or later due date.

Site visits to 100 schools were completed. School staff and teams from NYSED, the NYS Center for School Safety, Regional Student Support Services Centers and BOCES representatives had the opportunity to discuss VADIR reporting and other school safety issues. While the site visit notification may not be like winning the Mega-millions, many school folks said that they learned from the meetings, and the visits will help them report even more accurately this year.

And last, but certainly not least, the VADIR data was reviewed by NYSED who announced the list of Persistently Dangerous schools. You can review that list as well as 05-06 statewide and charter school data at:

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/press-release/20070821/home.htm

So, on this the first day back for many of our students, I'd like to wish you all a safe and successful school year.

Stay safe,
VR

And Before You Can Say "New Q&A"...

...there is a new one!

Dated August 6, 2007, NYSED has posted the most recent guidance. Of particular note is C-22 which discusses toy guns and E-4 and E-5 discussing further the issue of determining manifestation of disability and reporting.

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SDFSCA/uvir/home_uvir_vadir.htm

Stay safe!
VR

Trainings and Question and Answer Document

Hello folks,



So we turned around and it was August - the month that the ever-popular VADIR road show comes to a theater near you. The official tour schedule can be viewed at http://nyscenterforschoolsafety.org/vadirschedule07.pdf (and in the previous posting). Please call the regional coordinator for your area to register.





Also, your VR just wanted to be sure and let you know that right after the July 23 update session, NYSED posted its updated Q&A Document. The most recent version now available is dated June 25, 2007.



http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SDFSCA/uvir/VADIR_QA_June07.htm



The new Q&A contains new information regarding toy and imitation guns as well as some new language related to the manifestation of disability issue.



Please keep checking back for updates. Also, if you actually read this blog and have a question we would be absolutely tickled to answer one of your posts!



Keep in touch and stay safe!

VR

Hazy, Crazy, Not Lazy, VADIR Days of Summer

Hello out there!

Your trusty VR hopes that summer has been just a wealth of fun and relaxation. So consider this a gentle breeze reminding you that Fall will come, and the due date for VADIR reporting will once again appear on your computer.

In that spirit, here is the summer schedule for a VADIR refresher coming to a town near yours.

Please feel free to come and bring any questions you have that may have come up during the previous reporting period. We'll try to answer them, or we'll try to get you the answer. You'll see the region and the contact person to call to register - and please do register - we want to make sure we have enough materials for everyone.

So enjoy the sunny weeks until then. VR


New York Statewide VADIR Training Schedule 2007


August 13
8:30 – 11:00
Western Suffolk BOCES
31 Lee AvenueWheatley Heights, New York 11798
Long Island Region

Contact: Susan Kessler, Regional Coordinator
Phone: (631) 595-6814

August 13
12:00 – 2:30
Nassau BOCES
Long Island Region
71 Clinton Avenue
Garden City, NY

Contact: Pete LaDuca
Phone: 516-396-2388

August 14
9:00-12:00
Eastern Region
Sand Creek Middle School
329 Sand Creek RdAlbany, NY 12205

Contact: Betsy Morcom-Kenney, Regional Coordinator
Phone: 518- 464-3972

August 15
9:00 – 12:00
Mid-West Region
RIT Inn and Conference Center
5257 West Henrietta Road
W. Henrietta, NY 14586

Contact: Joan Vitkus, Regional Coordinator
Phone: 585-344-7577 (Register with Mary Mayes)


August 16
8:30 – 12:00
Mid-State Region
Roxboro Middle School
300 Bernard Avenue
Syracuse, NY

Contact: Lee Beals, Regional Coordinator
Phone: 315-431-8556

August 20
8:30 – 12:00
Orange-Ulster BOCES
Hudson Valley Region163 Harriman Heights RoadMonroe, NY 10950

Contact: Tammy Rhein, Regional Coordinator
Phone: 845-255-4874


August 23
9:00 – 11:30
Western Region
Michaels Banquet Facility
4885 Southwestern Boulevard
Hamburg, NY 14075

Contact: Jane Ogilvie, Regional Coordinator
Phone: 716-821-7550

New home, new neighbors, new address

You guessed it folks! All things VADIR can now be found at a new website address. You should be able to click on the title of this little newsblast, but if that doesn't work copy the address below and paste it into your browser.

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SDFSCA/uvir/home_uvir_vadir.htm

You'll find a cornucopia of new information on that site. There are some gems listed so it's worth checking out.

Have you been wondering what some of the questions might be at a site visit? Download the VADIR checklist and take a look.

All of the checklists are there, and they can be useful to you for reviewing the status of your VADIR and Safe and Drug-free Schools programs, and also to review your current safety plan. Hey, why not try it even if you aren't slated for a visit? Some data collection for violence prevention planning!

Don't forget to keep checking back here for some more tidbits on VADIR and to keep checking back at the above listed SED site to make sure you are the most au courante VADIR-ite on your block!

Stay safe,
VR

Virginia Tech

To the whole VA Tech community and all the friends and families of the victims, we send our thoughts and prayers. Today we are all Hokies.

http://www.vt.edu/

VADIR-ing in the rain

Hello folks,

While Punxatawney Phil and the Farmer's Almanac had different plans for us, spring has not yet sprung.

So as your trusty VR, I wanted to offer some food for thought during this nor'easter that has many folks at home with nothing to do. Why not think about your VADIR data?

One intrepid commenter noted that the school's grants person wanted to incorporate VADIR data into an application they were making. Have you considered using it that way? If you have, let me know. That's what the blog is for - sharing information.

As for updates, things have been pretty quiet on the VADIR system requirement front.
Keep checking back because as soon as I hear it, I'll pass in on!

Stay safe (warm and dry),
VR

Celebrate the New Year with new Questions and Answers

Happy 2007 to all of you out in VADIR land!

While many of us were celebrating the various and hopefully happy holidays, SED was updating its Question and Answer Document. So if you click on the yellow and green buttons right by the title of this post, or copy and paste this into your browser,
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SDFSCA/uvirpage.htm

you can see the updated information (December 27) they have provided to assist you as you prepare your summary data for submission by January 26.

"What are the highlights?" you say?

Here are some of the changes:

Section A- Questions 7 & 8 have been added;
Section B-Questions 6, 7, 8 & 9 have been added;
Section E- Question 8-the words "in unsafe schools" have been omitted from the end of the first paragraph.

There is also a new linked format where you can click on the particular section in which you are interested and go directly to that spot.

Your VADIR Radar wishes all of you a very happy, healthy and safe 2007.
VR

New York State Center Website Change

Hi folks,
Thanks to an intrepid reader, your VR is reminded that the NYS Center for School Safety has recently changed its web address. It's linked above with the yellow and green dots, but is also right here for your convenience:

http://nyscenterforschoolsafety.org/save.html

At this page you will find links to the presentation materials that have been used for VADIR trainings, links to the Question and Answer Document that SED provides, as well as links to other SAVE related issues for schools.

The direct page for the Q&A site is:
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SDFSCA/UVIRQ&AJuly282006html.htm


Thanks for reading and stay safe,
VR

The Time Has Come......

...And it is January 26th. All VADIR data is due that day. You can access the link to SED's site above here by clicking on the pretty green and yellow dots next to the title of this post, or copy and paste this into your browser:

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/violence-data/home.shtml

Don't forget some of the important points:

EVERYONE must submit electronically (BOCES this means you too this year!).

You should be using an October 11, 2006 Glossary for the definition of categories of incidents.

School Districts must submit a VADIR Summary Form for the district. The district VADIR form must contain only information about incidents that are reportable, but not attributable to any school or BOCES within the district. As in prior years, a VADIR form must be completed for each school.

New section on unsafe school choice. Students who are victims of a violent criminal offense or who attend a school designated as persistently dangerous must be offered an opportunity to transfer to a safe school within the Local Educational Agency, including a charter school, if such a transfer is possible. Schools now report counts of students offered and accepting transfers under each of these two types of unsafe school choice.

New item to collect a combined unduplicated count of offenders involved in serious violent incidents. Item 8 is a new item calling for the total number of different individuals involved in serious violent incidents. The categories of serious violent incidents are categories 1-8, plus any incident in categories 9-17 that involved a weapon. For Item 8 only, count each offender only once regardless of how many serious violent incidents the person was involved in as an offender. Treat unknown offenders as separate individuals. (N.b.: the counts of offenders and victims in Item 1 are duplicated counts. That is to say, for Item 1 count each individual each time he or she is an offender or victim.)

Weapons possession incidents: No change for 2005-06, but in 2006-07 weapons found and confiscated through security checks at building entrances will be reported separately from other weapons possession offenses. In completing individual incident reports in 2006-07, indicate whether weapons were confiscated through security screening systems located at the entrance to the school building. The 2006-07 VADIR Summary Form will distinguish those weapons possession incidents from others.


Be sure to keep checking back at the above site - or here, if you're so inclined. And if you are, drop me a comment or two. Does a Vadar Radar make any noise if no one is in the forest to hear it type?

Good luck submitting.

Stay safe,
VR

New News Yet Again - Keep Checking Back

Hello again from VADIR Land!!!
Good to "see" you all again. Glad to know you keep checking back.

Thanks to some alert Deputy Vadir Raiders out there, we have learned the there are new documents posted on the website for your viewing, recording and reporting pleasure!

Remember this website? http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/violence-data/home.shtml
Keep checking back. It's critical!

If you can't click on this, you can either click on the pretty green and yellow circles next to the title of this post, or you can copy the above site and paste it in your browser. Keep checking back.

I know, I know. Enough of the technical assistance you say - tell me what's new!

Wait no longer. You will find:

2005-06 Individual Incident Reporting Forms
2005-06 Summary Reporting Forms
10/11/06 Glossary of Terms

There is no formal due date yet, but the site does say the electronic method of submission should be up and running between mid-November and id-December.
So have I mentioned - Keep checking back?????

Stay safe,
VR

Holla Back - Phone line correction

Hello out there in VADIR land - thanks for checking up on that toll free anonymous reporting line. Here it is again:

1-877-7SAVENY (1-877-772-8369).

The previous post had a few too many numbers - a little bit of toll free VADIR enthusiasm! Your VR has corrected that post and it's correct here, so spread the word.

Stay safe,
VR

Like the song says - Don't be afraid, just call me!

Who you gonna call? Well, if you have a concern about school safety or violent and disruptive incident reporting, there is a new toll free number you can call. The anonymous school safety reporting hotline is 1-877-7SAVENY (1-877-772-8369).

Here's how it works: You call the number anytime. If it is after business hours you can leave a message. Someone will return your call by the end of the next business day so that you can discuss any school safety issues with someone at the Center.

If you need further information about school safety legislation (SAVE) or VADIR, or any other school safety resources, don't forget to check out the website of the NYS Center for School Safety, Creating Safe Schools - Building by Building. www.mhric.org/scss/save.html.

Stay safe,
VR

Are Ready for Your Mystery Date????

Hello out there in VADIR Land. Your VADIR Raider has been a bit quiet out on the home front, but it's time for a little refresher for the Blog.

DUE DATE FOR VADIR:
The best laid plans....were for the 05-06 data to be submitted electronically with the BEDS data at the end of October. If you go to the link off of this article, you'll find the lastest from SED. Sometime between Mid-November and Mid-December, the electronic submission forms will be available.

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/violence-data/home.shtml

So, keep checking back, either here with your ever-faithful Raider (although the Eagles are Number 1), or at the SED site listed above. There is also a link to the SED site from the New York State Center for School Safety's site at www.mhric.org/scss/save.html. Variety is the spice of life, so try getting to the site from any one of these different portals!

Please feel free to post questions or comments. You can also email questions to scss@mhric.org.

Stay safe,
VR