New Local Cyberbullying Policies in Houston and Madison
Two larger cities (well, one metropolis and one good-sized city) have adopted new cyberbullying policies to help curb student aggression. This is of course a fantastic step and something we will see a lot more of for sure over the next couple years…
But you know it really shouldn’t be the job of schools to curb and deal with this problem. If parents were doing their job at home of monitoring what their kids were doing online and how they were acting towards others, maybe the problem would be curbed to begin with. Schools should be acting as police, not police, judge, jury and parents all in one.
There is a solution. Put PC Pandora computer monitoring software on your computer so you can KNOW what your child is doing online, where they are going, who they are talking to, how they represent themselves and how they treat others. It is essential to know. If you don’t know, you are just guessing… and how can you be a strong parent based on guesses and assumptions.
Check out the stories below…
July 16, 2009
HISD bans sexting and cyber-bullying
By Erik BarajasHOUSTON (KTRK) — The Houston Independent School District is now taking steps to stop students from “sexting,” the act of sending each other explicit text messages. They’re also making moves to deal with “cyber-bullying.”
In an effort to try and keep up with the information age, HISD board members made some new rules to deal with terms like sexting and cyber-bullying. For the upcoming school year, the district is now banning these behaviors with some stiff punishments.
HISD is addressing the issue of sexting after teachers and principals say cell phones are omnipresent on every campus. One teacher told Eyewitness News this week that at least 80% of her eighth graders have cell phones. Teachers also say nude photos have been discovered on cell phones at school. That prompted a vote to ban sexting and it passed unanimously.
“This was an issue that was brought up by some principals and they felt it was prudent enough that we needed to take some proactive measures to make sure that we don’t have any interference with the learning environment of our kids,” said HISD Board Member Greg Meyers.
According to the HISD 2009-2010 code of conduct handbook, students caught sexting each other will find themselves in a student-parent administrator conference. After that, they face punishment ranging from suspension, loss of district transportation and computer use, and referral to the alternative education program.
In addition, the board banned cyber-bullying and students caught face similar punishment.
July 17, 2009
Madison board to hear bullying policies
By Chuck Clement, Staff ReporterThe Madison School Board will hear the first reading of new policies regarding student bullying and cyber bullying during its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Room 117 at the Madison Middle School.
The new policies were written so Madison schools can avoid a negative environment in which bullying would interfere with students’ academic performance.
The bullying policies would remain in effect when students are present on school district property, in school vehicles and at school-sponsored activities. The policies would cover situations in which the students are away from the schools but any misconduct would affect school district operations.
The district’s cyber-bullying policies would prohibit students and school staff from using all forms of electronic communication to harass and stalk each other. The school district would hold adults and students accountable if they electronically transmit any antisocial behavior, including harassing messages, hate mail and discriminatory remarks. The policy would cover complaints in which the cyber bullying originated from a school district-owned computer or a nonschool computer if the message disrupts teaching or daily school operations.
The regulations related to the new policies outline the reporting and investigation processes and punishments related to bullying charges.
The school board members will hear the first readings of the bullying policies near the end of the meeting, according to the agenda.
First, the school board members of the Madison Central School District will close out the 2008-09 school year and then immediately start working on business for 2009-10.
The board members will hold a regular meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. and review financial transactions. Bud Postma, district athletic director, will present a soft-drink vendor contract.
At the completion of that business, the board will adjourn the regular meeting and call its annual meeting to order. Officials will swear in Michelle Tucek and Steve Nelson to new three-year terms and Paul Weist to a one-year term. Then the board members will elect a president and vice president for the 2009-10 school year and conduct other annual business.
In addition, members will:
- Discuss personnel changes that include Monica Campbell serving as the executive director for the Madison Central School Educational Foundation.
- Hear two open-enrollment applications.
- Listen to a presentation concerning alternative education from Patrick Mullen.
- Appoint Robert Oas, Elizabeth Avery, Jennifer Gross, Jeff Heinemeyer, Lori Norby, Donna Fawbush, Ed Fiegen, Rod Goeman and Mike Lynch as directors to the Madison Central Educational Foundation.
- Appoint Vernon Schultz, Curt Ebsen, Bob Oas and Leland White as surplus property appraisers.
- Declare a TV, air tank and 120-gallon air compressor tank as surplus property for sale by sealed bid.
- Approve additional summer hours for Janie Rook and Sandy Bauer.
