This shows how violent bullying and cyber-bullying can become. There was a story on the Today Show this morning about several teens beating another girl because she "trash talked" them on MySpace. They videotaped the beating so that they could "splash it all over the internet" later. They felt no remorse, even laughing about it. The beating left the young teen with a concussion, loss of hearing in one ear, loss of vision in one eye and black eyes and bruises all over. I don't care if the girl did "trash talk" them on MySpace (which to high school girls is a horrible thing to do to someone), no one deserves to be beaten the way that she was and videotaped! And a parent of one of the girl's that did the beating said it was "blown out of proportion". Another reason that parents need just as much education on bullying and cyber-bullying as the teens do.
The Bullying Prevention Consortium assists school districts in creating a comprehensive plan to address bullying in accordance with Kansas HB 2310 which indicates that each school district will survey students and implement a strategic plan to address bullying.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
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Anti-Bullying Legislation
K.S.A. 72-8256
The following has been approved by the Kansas legislature:
Here are the provisions of the anti-bullying legislation:
New Sec. 4 (a) As used in this section:
1) “Bullying” means: (A) Any intentional gesture or any intentional written, verbal or physical act or threat that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student or staff member that a reasonable person, under the circumstances, knows or should know will have the effect of:
i. Harming a student or staff member, whether physically or mentally;
ii. Damaging a student’s or staff member’s property:
iii. Placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of harm to the student or staff member; or
iv. Placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of damage to the student’s or staff member’s property; or
(B) any form of intimidation or harassment prohibited by the board of education of the school district in policies concerning bullying adopted pursuant to this section or subsection (e)of K.S.A. 72-8205, and amendments thereto.
(2) “School vehicle” means any school bus, school van, other school vehicle and private vehicle used to transport students or staff members to and from school or any school-sponsored activity or event.
(b) The board of education of each school district shall adopt a policy to prohibit bullying on school property, in a school vehicle or at a school-sponsored activity or event.
(c) The board of education of each school district shall adopt and implement a plan to address bullying on school property, in a school vehicle or at a school sponsored activity or event. Such a plan shall include provisions for the training and education for staff members and students.
(d) The board of education of each school district may adopt additional policies relating to bullying pursuant to subsection (e) of K.S.A. 72-8205, and amendments thereto.
(e) The requirements of this section shall be implemented by school districts on or before January 1, 2008.
New Sec. 5 (a) Upon request of a school district, the state board shall assist in the development of a grade appropriate curriculum for character development programs which may be offered to students in the school district. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring the state board to develop a new curriculum or a new character development program.
(b) As used in this section:
(1) “Character development program” means a program which is secular in nature and which stresses character qualities,
(2) “Character qualities” means positive character qualities which include, but is not limited to, honesty, responsibility, attentiveness, patience, kindness, respect, self-control, tolerance, cooperation, initiative, patriotism and citizenship.
(3) “State board” means the state board of education.
