Tell Us: New Anti-Bully Law

RHMcCabe July 6, 2012 at 10:54 am

I would like to know the penalties for kids that bully other children,it seems that often the bully is allowed to remain with children after he or she has terrorized a child.

ricky ricardo July 6, 2012 at 01:09 pm

Bullying is a horrible thing and should be dealt with. DASA, however, goes to far. The wording of the law is very dangerous, especially the use of "perceived". "A PERSON'S ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, WEIGHT, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ETHNIC GROUP, RELIGION, RELIGIOUS PRACTICE, DISABILITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER OR SEX.
The law is designed to silence any and all PERCEIVED harrassment. Remember, bullying is an ongoing form of harrassment, not simply an "off the cuff' comment It has come to the point, however, where one comment has been labled bullying. This law will be used by some to, out of spite, falsely accuse others of bullying. Parents, instead of being responsible, will once again expect the school district to discipline their children. Quite frankly, until people accept the fact that their feces do stink, bullying will always be a problem, and no laws will ever change their hearts and minds.

matteo July 6, 2012 at 01:19 pm

Can kids between 10-14 read and understand this law? It should start at home. Parents have a very important job; instill the virtues of respect, dignity and compassion into their children.

Frank July 6, 2012 at 01:29 pm

Matteo, you are absolutely right. But look at it this way, the apple does not fall far from the tree. There are parents out there that feel their children are entitled to push around others. The kids get this from the parents.

Stone July 6, 2012 at 02:31 pm

Mr young have you ever been bullied? If not keep your comments to yourself. Frank your absolutely right. As a former person who was bullied through my entire school yrs Its time that simething is being done. I never thouggt about killing myself, I was the luckey one, but more &more more kids are doing just that. They think its nevee going to stop, uts not forever. But being young you dint have any cinception if that. I got tough, with words &u sarecasm.

Wendy DeAngelis July 6, 2012 at 02:39 pm

This law is long overdue. Education and training of all ADULTS is essential. Bully Prevention starts at home,MUST be EFFECTIVELY taught and implementedin preschool and continuing in every grade thereafter. Young people throughout this country have been scarred for life and are committing suicide, due to a complete lack of understanding and follow through. Yes, it is a parental issue, a school issue, and a community issue. We can only support our children to be "up standers" and bystanders that support the victim/target, when THE ADULTS fully understand the issue and consequences. Parents, teachers, bus drivers, school lunch and playground aids,supervisors and helping at school functions, school administrators, guidance counselors, and custodians must be trained. Admit and agree that bullies are very smart at NOT being caught; they act under the radar. Bullying is easy to recognize when some PHYSICAL action/harm has taken place. Countless numbers of children are tormented on a daily basis with looks, comments, laughs, stares and silence. Adults, educate yourself on this topic,teach your children values that will serve them in life. Port Washington has a positive reputation for education. Let's take it a step higher and be a MODEL for this country by implementing this law for the betterment of all our children.

Ly July 6, 2012 at 03:08 pm

It starts with the school staff. Here in Port Washington 7% of children with disabilities are sent out of the district. At Sousa School there are no children with sever disabilities (classic autism, mental retardation, deaf, blind, CP or Down's etc.) The schools are segregated there needs to be more integration. How can a child grow up and be accepting of people with disabilities, if they are not exposed to them? Some of the staff and children in Port are not used to people who are different. Some staff members have said rude and hurtful comments to our family. One therapist at Sousa said," Everyone is better than my child in gym. The more I complain no one will listen to me". We also have had letters and phone calls to school district administrators ignored. It seems that the school district cares more about it's test scores and public image than providing the least restrictive environment. What is a parent to do when a school district is not accepting of a child who is different?

Ben July 6, 2012 at 03:40 pm

It is impossible to avoid a bully. The rules of "group process" include the bully, martyr, scaepegoat, slut, put a group of people in a room and a bully will emerge.
This law will be difficult to enforce. We need to learn how to "combat" a bully because it is impossible to eradicate a bully group process in action the role of bully is high. Every office has a bully, every faculty has a bully, every organization has a bully and so teach your child how to combat a bully.

John Chalker July 7, 2012 at 06:16 pm

It is heartbreaking that I never read about righteous and morally endowed kids protecting fellow youths who are being bullied. I told my son to use his strength to protect innocent victims whenever he can. Now we generate more incoherent laws to regulate moral failure. We've created a race of victims. How sad.

John Chalker July 7, 2012 at 06:27 pm

Yea verily.

ricky ricardo July 8, 2012 at 07:39 pm

When it comes to protecting its reputation, the school board along with senior admin will find as many carpets as possible under which to sweep the problems.