Student Support & Wellness

Student and staff safety is a top priority for the York County School Division. We believe that safety and security, student wellness, and positive relationships between and among staff, students, and families are all important components of student success. For student wellness, administrators, school nurses, and physical education teachers work with central office staff to promote good nutrition and physical activity. Wellness programs are reviewed annually. Input regarding school wellness may be provided to the Associate Director of Student Services.

In addition to comprehensive crisis management plans, the division provides a variety of programs, activities and resources on topics such as violence prevention, alcohol and other drug prevention, internet safety, concussion awareness, and student behavioral, social, and emotional support.

Wellness Policy Triennial Assessment HPV Vaccine Letter

Services	Phone Number
Life-Threatening Emergency	911
Suicide Prevention Hotline	988
Avalon Shelter (Domestic Violence)	757-258-5051
Child Abuse Hotline	1-800-552-7096
Colonial Behavioral Health	757-378-5555
Riverside Mental Health & Recovery Center	757-827-1001
Greater Williamsburg Child Assessment Center	757-753-4047
Greater Williamsburg Network of Care	757-220-3200
Care Solace	1-888-515-0595
Signs of Suicide Program
United Way Community Resource Center	757-229-2222
York/Poquoson Department of Social Services	757-890-3787

Bullying Prevention

The York County School Division is committed to providing a learning environment free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Our schools implement a prevention-intervention approach to address the important topic, including character education programs, student assemblies, and counseling services. The division's bullying prevention committee meets regularly to review the division's programs and practices as well as to identify resources for parents, students, and staff.

The Student Handbook and Conduct Code identifies the characteristics and consequences of bullying:

Bullying may occur when there is an unfair match between the students and may include, but is not limited to, physical intimidation, taunting, name calling, insults, falsifying statements about other persons and/or comments regarding the race, gender, religion, physical abilities or characteristics of associates of the targeted person. Cyber bullying is defined as using information and communication technologies such as cell phone text messages and pictures, email, social networking websites, defamatory personal websites, and defamatory online personal polling websites to support deliberate, hostile behavior intended to harm others.

Cyber bullying which occurs off school grounds and or does not involve the use of the York County School Division network or computers may result in disciplinary actions if it causes a substantial disruption to the operation of a school or the School Division, if it threatens the safety and mental or physical well-being of students or staff, or if it threatens the safety of school buildings or school property.

Consequences
Level I Conference (with student and/or parent)
Level II Intervention (disciplinary action as determined by administrator) or Alternative to Suspension (ATS)
Level III Short Term Suspension from 1 to 10 school days
Level IV Long Term Suspension from 11 to 364 days, Alternative Educational Placement or Expulsion

Students, staff and parents are encouraged to share in the responsibility for a safe and orderly school environment. Incidents of bullying or cyber bullying should be reported to teachers or school administrators as soon as possible. Confidential reports may also be made by placing a call to the Division's Hotline at 757-890-5000. Additionally, users can report incidents of harassment, bullying and discrimination online. School administrators are responsible for addressing and investigating all reports of bullying. In addition, they are required by law to report all incidents of cyberbullying to local law enforcement.

Internet Safety

Guiding Principles

Internet safety training is essential in supporting the safety of students. YCSD teachers incorporate digital wellness and online safety skills into the curriculum to help students navigate technology in healthy and productive ways.

Online safety principles include the following:

Students must protect their personal information online.
Students should avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrusted sources.
Students should treat each other with respect in online interactions.
Students must obey copyright laws and respect intellectual property rights.
Students should curate reliable sources and fact-check claims to promote accurate knowledge.
Students should report illegal or unsafe content to the appropriate authorities.

Key Definitions

Digital Citizenship: the responsible, ethical, and safe use of technology and the internet. It involves navigating the digital world with respect, integrity, and empathy towards others. At its core, digital citizenship emphasizes the importance of being mindful of one’s online presence and interactions.

Digital Learning: to empower students as learners by improving their functional literacy as digital citizens capable of constructing knowledge, designing innovative works, thinking computationally, creatively communicating, and collaborating with others locally, regionally, and globally.

Digital Wellness: a holistic approach to managing technology to ensure a healthy and fulfilling life. It involves being mindful of how technology impacts our physical and mental well-being and includes healthy screen time limits that support emotional, physical, social, and cognitive development.

Internet Safety: the practice of following actionable guidelines, understanding modern technology, and protecting digital devices so users can defend against the malicious parts of the online world.

Media Literacy: the ability to access, curate, use, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication.

Social Media: websites and other online means of communication that are used by large groups of people to share information and to develop social and professional contacts.

Internet Safety Protections

YCSD deploys internet filters to block inappropriate content, prevent inappropriate network usage, and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
YCSD staff educate students on appropriate online behaviors and the internet acceptable use policy (AUP).
YCSD monitors network access and limits student access to social media on the school division network.

For more information about internet safety in Virginia public schools, visit the educational technology planning page of the Virginia Department of Education website.

Internet Safety Training for Students

As required by Virginia state code, YCSD provides internet safety training for students within the academic program as a component of the internet acceptable use policy (AUP). For more information about YCSD internet safety training for students, contact the main office of the appropriate school.

K-12 Internet Safety Training

Students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade receive age-appropriate training on the components of the AUP and media literacy skills. In addition, the VDOE Digital Learning Integration Standards are incorporated into the locally designed curriculum. The content strands within the digital learning integration standards encompass the following student roles:

Empowered Learner
Digital Citizen
Knowledge Constructor
Innovative Designer
Computational Thinker
Creative Communicator
Global Collaborator

Elementary School Internet Safety Training

In addition to the acceptable use policy (AUP) and the digital learning integration standards, internet safety training for elementary school students includes topics such as:

Developing a positive digital identity / digital footprint
Protecting data privacy and engaging in safe online behaviors
Understanding rules for using devices in school
Increasing password security
Recognizing and responding to online meanness and cyberbullying
Promoting digital leadership

Middle & High School Internet Safety Training

In addition to the acceptable use policy (AUP) and the digital learning integration standards, internet safety training for middle school and high school students includes topics such as:

Promoting safe and positive interactions online, including social media
Understanding the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence
Cultivating digital media balance within and outside of school
Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity

Resources

Drug Abuse Prevention Resources

The Partnership at Drugfree.org provides resources and helps equip parents with tools to prevent their children from using drugs and alcohol.

Just Think Twice provides information for both teens and parents on the facts, fiction and consequences of drug abuse.

Bacon Street is a local resource that provides services to young people and families affected by substance abuse and/or mental health issues.

Abovetheinfluence provides information about over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse facts.

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Colonial Behavioral Health, the local community services board, providing substance use and mental health services to youth and their families.

NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides a family guide to keeping youth mentally healthy and drug free.

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

VDOE Resources for Executive Order 28

VDOE Fentanyl Awareness

Eating Disorders Notification

Eating disorders are serious health problems that usually start in childhood or adolescence and affect both girls and boys. With early diagnosis, eating disorders are treatable with a combination of nutritional, medical, and therapeutic supports. Recognizing the importance of early identification of at-risk students, the 2013 Virginia General Assembly passed a law requiring each school board to provide parent educational information regarding eating disorders on an annual basis to students in the fifth through twelfth grades.

It is important to note that eating disorders are not diagnosed based on weight changes as much as behaviors, attitudes, and mindset. Symptoms may vary between males and females and in different age groups. Often, a young person with an eating disorder may not be aware that he/she has a problem or keeps the issues secret. Parents/guardians and family members are in a unique position to notice symptoms or behaviors that cause concern. Noting behaviors common to people with eating disorders may lead to early referral to the primary care provider. It is important for eating disorders to be treated by someone who specializes in this type of care.

If you think your child may be showing signs of a possible eating disorder, please contact your primary health care provider, school nurse, or one of the resources listed below.

Toll free, confidential National Eating Disorders Association Helpline, 1-800-931-2237

Additional Resources

Voluntary Student Accident Insurance

York County School Division has partnered with K&K insurance to offer Voluntary Student Accident Insurance. Student accident insurance can reimburse you for your child's eligible medical expenses due to accidents that occur at home or at school. Interested families will pay a one-time payment for the coverage option of their choice.