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School Climate

Non-Discrimination Statement PDF

Position Statement on School Climate

Griswold Public Schools always has and will continue to foster an academic environment that is safe, comfortable, and tolerant of all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or other discerning characteristics. In order to maintain a safe school climate everywhere on campus, the district does many things to educate and promote positive and respectful behavior; the district also has a comprehensive response system (which includes discipline and intervention) when a person or persons are disrespectful or mean to anyone else.

The district has agreed to take a strong stance against bullying and harassing behavior both on and off school campus that would cause any person to feel unsafe or uncomfortable while on campus. This type of behavior includes actions taken in school, on school buses, at school-sponsored activities, on and off school property, electronically (through the use of cell phones, social media, or other electronic means), and any other circumstance that fits the definition of bullying as set forth by the State of CT.

 

Definitions

"School climate" means the quality and character of the school life, with a particular focus on the quality of the relationships within the school community, and which is based on patterns of people's experiences of school life and that reflects the norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching, learning, leadership practices and organizational structures within the school community. 

"Challenging behavior" means behavior that negatively impacts school climate or interferes, or is at risk of interfering, with the learning or safety of a student or the safety of a school employee. 

"Bullying" means unwanted and aggressive behavior among children in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. 

"Restorative practices" means evidence and research-based system-level practices that focus on (A) building high-quality, constructive relationships among the school community, (B) holding each student accountable for any challenging behavior, and (C) ensuring each such student has a role in repairing relationships and reintegrating into the school community. 

 

Students who engage in any act of challenging behavior, on school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by the Board of Education, or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by the Board of Education, and outside of the school setting if such challenging behavior:

A.  Creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom such behavior was directed, 

B.  Infringes on the rights of the student against whom such behavior was directed at school,

C.  Substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

Students and/or parents/guardians may file verbal or written complaints concerning suspected challenging behavior, and students shall be permitted to anonymously report to school employees. Any report of suspected challenging behavior will be promptly reviewed.  If acts of challenging behavior are verified, prompt disciplinary action may be taken against the perpetrator, consistent with his/her rights of due process.

In order to minimize incidents of challenging behavior, harassment, and intimidation, and to fully address incidents once they occur, each school will develop a comprehensive reporting and response plan that will include several sections:

  • A convenient, thorough, and manageable reporting system that can be used anonymously or not to report a possible incident of bullying to building administration and the school’s climate specialist

  • A clearly defined procedure to be followed when investigating every report of alleged challenging behavior

School Climate Data

Please see the Griswold Public Schools School Climate Data slides presented to the Griswold Board of Education on September 11, 2025, below:

 

District Safety, Health/Wellness & Climate Committee Meeting Dates and Minutes

The District Safety, Health/Wellness & Climate Committee meets regularly throughout the school year.

District-Wide Safe Schools Climate Coordinator: Katy Sawaryn, Assistant Director of Student Services

Committee Members from each school include: 

  • Griswold Elementary School
    • Joseph Bordeau, Principal
    • Jacqueline Love, Assistant Principal
    • Jamie Anderson, School Psychologist
    • Jordyn Drabinski, School Counselor
    • Alyssa Hancock, School Social Worker
    • Alyssa Rubino, Special Education Teacher
       
  • Griswold Middle School
    • Louis Zubek, Principal
    • Steven Bourque, Assistant Principal
    • Kristen Butremovic, Health Teacher
    • Laurie LaBossiere, Library Media Specialist
    • Caitlin Pinchette, School Counselor
    • Caitlin Valentine, Physical Education Teacher
       
  • Griswold High School/Griswold Soule Street Academy
    • Erin Palonen, Principal
    • Art Howe, Associate Principal
    • Meghan Davis, Special Education Teacher
    • Nate Moore, Spanish Teacher
    • Laura Wraight, Social Worker at GSSA
    • Julia Zawacki, Math Teacher  

District Safety, Health & Wellness Committee Meeting Dates and Minutes

The District Safety, Health & Wellness Committee meets regularly throughout the school year.

2025-2026 Meetings

  • September 25, 2025: Meeting Notes
  • October 30, 2025: Meeting Notes
  • December 4, 2025
  • January 29, 2026
  • February 26, 2026
  • March 26, 2026
  • April 30, 2026
  • May 28, 2026
     

2024-2025 Meetings

2023-2024 Meetings

2022-2023 Meetings