Substantial Disruption » Laws

Georgia school district seeks board approval for new policy to crack down on cyberbullying

Mike Tully — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:18:37 +0000

Glynn County School System (GCSS) has drafted a new policy to address the use of electronic communication devices, such as computers and cell phones, by students to bully others, says Education Week. GCSS’s policy tracks the state’s more clearly defined definition of bullying verbatim and will incorporate the new wording in the 2010 Glynn County Student Behavior Code pending board approval at the end of the month.

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Illinois schools find ways to curb bullying

Mike Tully — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:52:10 +0000

ELGIN, Ill. —

To some it may seem innocuous, even good for building character — the playground taunts from that group of kids “that think they’re better than everyone else,” as Larkin High School student Michael Engebretson puts it.

But Linda Engebretson noticed the effect on her 16-year-old son.

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Bedford Schools Approve Cyberbullying Policy (NY)

Mike Tully — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:57:12 +0000

Bedford schools became the latest district to develop and approve policies addressing cyberbullying earlier this month.

The Bedford school board approved a policy on bullying and cyberbullying during its last meeting on June 16. The policy covers any intentional activity that is unwelcome and involves repetitive physical contact, personal communication or electronic exchanges.

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New York Anti Bullying Bill Goes To Governor, But No Mention Of Cyber Bullying

Mike Tully — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:50:32 +0000

Supporters of the bill consider it a partial victory only because of two major omissions, protection for children in private schools, and protection from cyber bullying.

After what seemed like a lifetime, on June 22, 2010 The New York Senate passed the Dignity for All Student Act by a vote of 58 to 3. The Bill in its design is an anti-bullying bill that includes protection from bullying and discrimination on the basis of race, gender, weight, and expression.

Supporters of the bill consider it a partial victory only because of two major omissions, protection for children in private schools, and protection from cyber bullying.

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DOE Proposes Changes to Disciplinary Policy on Sexting, Cyber Bullying (NY)

Mike Tully — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:48:50 +0000

(NOTE: The lack of parent attendance is appalling. – Mike)

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The city’s Department of Education held a public hearing Wednesday night regarding changes to its disciplinary policy.

No parents or students showed up to offer comments on the proposed changes that would include punishments for sexting and cyber bullying during and after school hours, according to 1010 WINS reporter Al Jones.

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KISD approves code of conduct (TX)

Mike Tully — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:28:26 +0000

The Katy Independent School District board of trustees approved several changes to the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct for the 2010-11 school year at Monday’s meeting.

New sections in the code of conduct include paragraphs outlining cyber-bullying, sexting, dating violence and foods of minimal nutritional values.

The new code introduces bus probation as an available punishment for level three offenses in high school and also includes short lists of guidelines for parents on dealing with student illness and social networking sites.

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NYC Wants Teen ‘Sexting’ Ban, In School And Home

Mike Tully — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:31:14 +0000

(NOTE: Joel Klein will be surprised when a court strikes down this ban. It clearly goes too far and extends school discipline well beyond any reasonable jurisdictional limit. Watch for a restraining order in a matter of weeks, if not day. – Mike)

Dept. Of Education Targets Sexually Explicit Text Messaging Outside Of School Hours With Up To 90-Day Suspension

NYCLU Slams Idea, Says It’s A Violation Of Freedom Of Expression
Parents and schools struggle with the role technology plays in kids’ lives. But a new push to keep them safe has some saying it goes too far.

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SHRM opposes anti-bullying Healthy Workplace Bill (NY)

Mike Tully — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:48:51 +0000

(NOTE: Since this blog also tracks workplace bullying issues — after all, school bullies frequently become workplace bullies — I wanted to share this piece, Dr. Namie’s excellent dissection of the misleading and fraudulent attack against the Health Workplace Bil as introduced in New York and passed by that state’s Senate. We used to see arguments like this against school bullying. Fortunately, that is rarely the case anymore. But there’s clearly a steep learning curve when it comes to workplace bullying. – Mike)

The advocacy group for Human Resources (HR) issued an alert for SHRM members in June 2010 to oppose the NY versions of the HWB. In brief, Bob Carragher, SHRM’s manager of government relations (chief national lobbyist) and Susan Corcoran, NY state legislative director (state lobbyist) claim our legislation is “bad for business and bad for New York.” The two issued a “Talking Points” memo related to the bills that fell into our hands. Here is the text verbatim with WBI counterpoint in italics:

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Bullying now officially illegal (NH)

Mike Tully — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:56:07 +0000

CONCORD — Gov. John Lynch declared that a new law he signed Tuesday would protect students from all forms of bullying — both in person and via the Internet.

A large group of educators, human service advocates and students packed the Executive Council chambers, where Lynch celebrated the anti-bullying policy that strengthened and updated existing law.

“As governor, I have made the safety of our children a priority, and today, we are continuing our efforts to protect our most important resource — our children,” Lynch said.

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Lynch Signs New Anti-Bullying Law (NH)

Mike Tully — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:09:52 +0000

Gov. John Lynch on Tuesday signed a new anti-bullying law into effect that strengthens existing laws and updates them to deal with cyberbullies.

Parents and students were on hand as Lynch signed the new law. Parent Mary Michael said her son, David, asked to be home schooled and then complained of illness because he was a target of bullying.

“And all those doctor trips because he was sick,” she said. “Well, really it was because he couldn’t take it anymore with the bullying.”

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