East Greenwich to implement new safety measures to protect student-athletes
EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WLNE) — East Greenwich district officials said during a school committee meeting Tuesday that they will implement new safety measures to protect student-athletes.
The committee reviewed a draft of the new “Professional Conduct with Students” policy. That policy would put stricter rules for teachers, coaches, and other staff when interacting with students in and out of school.
Students and staff will have the chance to give feedback on the new drafted set of rules, prior to the final vote scheduled for May 3.
The school department sent a letter to students and parents earlier this month, announcing the firing of two volleyball coaches that had been accused of harassing students.
“I am hopeful that we can begin to move forward as a community, particularly by providing students with the support they need to thrive in school and on the athletic fields,” said Superintendent Alexis Meyer.
Some of the actions that were mentioned in the draft are as follows:
• All coaches will have to undergo a training, mandated by the RIIL, on key policies and procedures related to interaction with student-athletes, as well as training related to substance abuse.
• Every season there will be mandatory meetings to inform student-athletes of their rights, and procedures for reporting any kind of harassment or unwelcome behavior.
• Updates to the Athletics Handbook and mandating signoff every season from all coaches, athletes, and parents of athletes, acknowledging all policies and procedures and committing to safe, appropriate interactions.
• Use of a new mobile app that would limit communication between coaches and athletes to only team matters. The goal would be to rely less on email, phone calls, texting, and social media, for communication.
Meyer said that the district is working to develop a more robust training program that would go into place this summer. The program would highlight expectations for communicating with students and a review of the district’s social media policy.
