The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Bullying: See It, Stop It

Discussion

February 22, 2011

Anti-bullying legislation would protect victims

By Phyllis Zorn, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

OKLAHOMA CITY — School administrators in Enid and Chisholm are glad for anti-bullying legislation that toughens up the school bullying prevention act.

The House Education Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved anti-bullying legislation written by Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, who said she was inspired by the May suicide of a young bullying victim in Perkins. It will go to the full House for consideration.

The bill cracks down on acts that can physically or emotionally harm a student, damage the student’s property or interfere with the operation of the school.

It also prohibits cyber bullying through e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging and other electronic communications.

The bill requires schools to provide consequences and remedial action to those who bully others.

Amber Fitzgerald, school and community relations director for Enid Public Schools, said while EPS already has strong anti-bullying policies, House Bill 1461 requires schools to be more proactive about anti-bullying policies and to communicate better with the public and parents. As such, it will have the effect of keeping students in Oklahoma safer, Fitzgerald said.

“I think it speaks to the importance of the issue, because there’s not anything that’s more important than the safety of the students,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald pointed to the bill’s provisions regarding bullying on social networking sites and electronic media.

“That is a growing method of communications,” Fitzgerald said.

Chisholm Public Schools Superintendent Roydon Tilley also greeted the bill with gladness. Chisholm has firm policies in place for bullying, but it’s a difficult issue for schools to address, Tilley said.

“I’m for anything that gives us the ability to deal with those kinds of situations a little bit better,” Tilley said.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Text Only
Bullying: See It, Stop It
Featured Ads
AP Video
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
NDN Video
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma RAW: Xbox One debuts VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you Reporter Cries Over Devastation Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school Robert Pattinson Moves Out RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone" Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song Justin Bieber Gets Booed
Poll
House Ads
Facebook