The US Dept of Education released a 10-page letter today reminding school districts and colleges across the country, including Norwalk Public Schools, that they have a legal obligation to prevent bullying. You can read the letter here . Next year the White House will hold a one day session on bullying hosted by the President.
The letter warns administrators that bullying which involves race, gender, sexual orientation or religion violates several Federal laws. School systems that don’t address bullying may lose their Federal funding.
The letter comes in the wake of national stories that several teenagers have committed suicide because they were bullied in school. For example Jamarcus "Marcus" Bell, 14, a freshman in Fishers Indiana, hanged himself last week after years of being tormented. Closer to home, a gay Rutgers student committed suicide last month after being outted by his roommate. A new survey released Tuesday found that half of U.S. high schoolers say they have bullied or teased someone at least once in the past year -- while nearly half say they have been bullied themselves.
Clearly it’s the responsibility of schools not only to keep children safe but also to provide an environment where students are going to able to learn.
The Obama Administration’s letter puts schools on notice – and rightfully so. In any large school district, including here in Norwalk
In New Jersey
Do you think CT schools need to do the same? Is our district doing all it can to prevent bullying?
Posts
As a NPS teacher I can tell you I need serious professional development in this area!
ReplyDeleteAs a district employee for nearly 20 years, I can affirm that we need serious professional development AND support in this area. Basically, we are out there on our own. Don't we have someone who is supposed to be in charge of this??
ReplyDeleteIt's about time the school system takes bullying seriously. Get the teachers the professional development and get bullying out of the school system!
ReplyDeleteI dont know what school the above poster is from and no one is questioning whether the poster is in fact a teacher but from what I have observed bullying, student on student, has been the responsibilty of the building administrator. ie the principles more specifically the vp's andor housemasters.
ReplyDeleteI have observed that bullying is not tolerated at all and is rapidly and effectively addressed in nearly all (known) instances of student on student harassment, often whether there was a complaint or just rumor, action was immediately taken.
Student on teacher bullying as well as, verse a visa well, definately room for more improvement.
Now, as far as professional development goes, that issue has been acknowledged by the new Superintendent and the B.O.E. as well as the state.
How we get from where we are currently to and where we want to be is going to take some work.
Bullying by the previous adminstration against the teachers screaming for help has been well documented.
Getting the reources for training and intergrating technology into the classroom and beyond, ah now where is that rabbit?
I know it was in my hat somewhere down in here.
Don't expect any clear answers or solutions from any candidate. We already know we need fair and equitable funding. How do we get the resources our district, our children need.
Time to hold the feet to the flames people.
What is everyones thoughts on the States responsibilty? Washington's?
It seems like we continue to watch these tragedies occur and we have had dozens of studies and commissions and sub commisions and everyone agrees we need to paint a dividing marker line in the road so people stop from running head on into eachother. No Brainer right?
But wrecks keep on occuring as everyone bickers over who is going to pay for the stripe on the road, from who we purchase the paint, over who gets the contract, what color to use, should it be dotted, reflective, implanted with micro radio traffic transmitters. Is the enviromental study on the first enviromental study completed yet?
Yes, roundabout, we go where we stop no one knows.
Yes teachers need more taraining and not just more credits for powerpoints attended but effective quality interacitve training and the technolgy they need to prepare our students for the immense challenges they will surely face.
Turn out speak out and support the students.
And speaking of the students' hey guys we cant hear you, louder, cmon lets hear that school spirit, LOUDER.
How many teachers are having their students attend the Education forum Thurs night at city hall with nearly all the candidates in attendance?
Lets see and hear some spirit out there.
Appears that at least 3 NPS teachers have stated they need professional development in this area, 8:08 p.m.
ReplyDeleteWe need to keep in mind that this problem extends far beyond our public schools. School officials, teachers, parents, and indeed the whole community needs to come down fast and hard against bullying in any form. Our children can learn much by watching those in authority address this issue in a certain, visible and effective manner.
ReplyDeleteIt is equally important that such policy extend beyond our public schools, into our homes and parochial and private schools as well. All Saints Catholic School for example has a long and sordid history of ignoring and tolerating bullying behavior especially when the individual doing the "bullying" is a member of a family responsible for large financial contributions to their school. This tolerance has led to parents of All Saints students having to request police involvement after children were hospitalized with injuries a year ago.
Kudos to the Norwalk Public Schools for wanting to take this matter as seriously as it needs to be. Let's put those great intentions into training and action.
Children today are in for a very rude awakening when they get out into the "real" world. Life is tough. They are going to work with nasty bullies, they will encounter unpleasant, vulgar students in college. That's just the way it is. By protecting and pampering the kids we are not giving them the tools they need to negotiate and reason with those that go on the attack. There will always be aggressive, alpha types out there that will try to hurt. What we need to do is educate our children and yes (as unpopular as my opinion may be) toughen our kids up. What are you going to say when your child has his/her first job out of college and they work for an SOB and the youngster comes crying to mom or dad. What are you going to say? The kids might as well learn at a young age that there are some very deranged, disturbed and just plain wack jobs out there that will sabotage, put down and yes even lie in order to get their own way or just to destroy a reputation. It's been going on for hundreds of years and it's going to continue. This is an ugly world and there is only so much protecting we can do. I can't apologize for being cynical, just turn on the news. Real life folks. Deal.
ReplyDeleteHowever,if a student is physically attacked in any NPS school the student that has done the attacking should be expelled. Zero tolerance.
Sooooo, 10:44am, are you suggesting that all the recent suicides were just kids who weren't tough enough to make it to adulthood? I guess they wouldn't have lasted in the adult world, so it's a shame but survival of the fittest and all that? Really?
ReplyDelete10:44
ReplyDeleteYou must be an All Saints Catholic School Administrator. Or a parent drinking the proverbial Kool-Aid.