BULLYING: exposing a student to intentional negative actions on the part of one or more other students, which adversely affect the victim’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s educational programs or activities.
While growing up as a kid, I remember “Bullying” was considered a minor occurrence, because in most cases it was minor verbal innuendoes to make one look cooler or tougher. Unfortunately our kids today do not just worry about insecure joking bullies but at times violent, out of control or harassing bullies. Incidents of bulling have caused increasing concerns among our school system personnel, students and parents.
In July of 2005, the “Safe Reporting Act” became effective. This act was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed by the Governor. This law requires the development of a Form to be used by students and parents to report incidents of bullying. The law also requires all local school systems to record specific information and to report it to the Department of Education. During the 2007 – 2008 Maryland school years there were 1,257 students expelled or suspended for bullying in the state of Maryland and these are only the victims that reported such incidents.
On July 1 2008, the Maryland General Assembly directed the Maryland Board of Education to advise local school systems to develop and adopt “Model Policy” prohibiting bulling. My investigation reveals that only two Worcester County Schools have adopted their own policy. First being the Pocomoke Elementary School which implemented the program “Second Chance.” The Second being the Pocomoke Middle School which implemented their program “Project Wisdom, Night Out and others.”
Our kids need protected in our schools.
If elected, intend to educate and train the sheriff’s office School Resource Officers (SRO’s) and the Dare officer in “Identifying, Prevention, Intervention, Remediation, and Consequences and then educate” students of bulling. The Officers will also work with the school’s staff and students to ensure the most positive outcome. I will also have an area on the sheriff’s office web page to allow parent and students to report anonymously of any acts of bullying. I personally want to thank and give my appreciation to all those who work with and for our children. I realize your jobs can be very tough and challenging, if elected I will do everything I can to support you and listen to your concerns. The numbers of bullies are increasing every school year especially with the new use of technology and I say now is time to act and move forward for a safer tomorrow.
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Wow it is about time that someone is thinking about our kids. Good for him. I now know who I will be voting for. Just due to this plan alone.
ReplyDeleteWow! This sounds terrific! Now, maybe we can get parenting legislated as well....please note my sarcasm...working in the Worcestor county schools as a middle school teacher, I see this mess happen every day. The truth is, there is so much of this going on, we can't get to all of it. A much simpler and IMO a better idea is to make parents responsible by having stiff penalties for parents who do not attend to their children. Sure, schools need to address this as well, and we do when we know about it, but either nobody tells us, tell us anonymosly and then we can't investigate as effectively, or tell us about every little thing.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%....I'm glad to see that Mr. Brittingham is concerned about our young kids. It is a very serious issue and the bullies need to have consequences for their actions.
ReplyDeleteI believe he will stand true to his words...although he is not as widely known as the other candidates I truly believe he is one of the sincerest. Let's give him a chance!!!