Mechanicsburg PA vs. Cyberbullies
More good news in the fight against cyberbullying that ranges on in local school districts across the US… the school district in Mechanicsburg PA has broadened its policy to include cyberbullying. This is, of course, very good news to help with disciplinary measures.
One thing I would like to point out, however, is a comment by the school Treasurer that notes the school is stepping into more of a social work role, rather than an educational one. While this is somewhat true there are two reasons to cite as the reason: 1. new technology means new ways to students to engage one another and 2. PARENTS AREN’T DOING THEIR JOB AT HOME!! Yes, it is a sad fact that the schools do have to step in and police kids because parents turn their heads on the issue until it’s their child being bullied.
If every parent had PC Pandora at home and cared enough to know what their child was doing online and how they are acting towards others – bullying would go away tomorrow.
Here’s the news…
April 14, 2009
Mechanicsburg schools adopt cyber-bullying policy
By Amanda Palleschi, The Patriot-NewsThe Mechanicsburg Area School District joined the chorus of schools now paying attention to what goes on between students on social networking sites and cell phones Tuesday.
The district’s school board broadened its policy on bullying to include cyber bullying, which it broadly defines as “intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students.”
The new policy takes its language mostly from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) code on bullying. The written policy does not specify specific technologies included in cyber bullying: “We’ll review this policy every three years, which is good because technology will change by then anyway,” said board member Gregory Pappas.
Treasurer Tracy Morgan questioned the policy’s vagueness and its stipulation that bullying acts need not occur on school property to warrant school involvement.
“Where is the fine line? I worry we’re spilling more into social work than we are education,” Morgan said.
Mechanicsburg Superintendent Joseph Hood explained that reported incidents of bullying and cyber-bullying happen in the district rarely, mostly at the middle school level.
“Liability comes when there is no good faith effort to do something about it on the part of the district,” Hood said.