Schools

WI Schools Look to Curb Bullying

Bullying Awareness Committee seeks to raise awareness

On May 20, State Senators Owen Johnson and Kemp Hannon held a roundtable discussion on bullying. In a tradition sense, bullying is thought of as a student being picked on in the playground, cafeteria or on the bus. But, the problems has gotten much more complex with the advent of social media websites. 

Appearing at the roundtable was Mary Kate Bell of West Islip, who said she had been cyberbullied  and bullied to the point that she ended up hospitalized for three days and in need of reconstructive surgery on her face. 

It's clear from recent discussions that both educators and lawmakers believe that bullying has become a serious problem in Long Island schools. The question is what should educators, parents and lawmakers do to at least help curb the problem if it cannot be totally eradicated?

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Udall Middle School Principal Dan Marquardt believes the West Islip Schools are taking a proactive approach to preventing bullying. "This is on a lot of people's minds," he said. "A lot of administrators feel strongly about doing something to combat this epidemic."

A Bullying Awareness Committee has formed in the West Islip School District as a way to bring together ideas of how to stem the tied of bullying. One program the West Islip Board of Education is considering is the Olweus Bullying Prevention program, which is currently being implemented in Garden City Middle School.

Find out what's happening in West Islipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We've seen more students step up to let us know when a situation occurs. The program has definitely raised awareness," Garden City Middle School's anti-bullying coordinator Kim Greenwald told Garden City Patch.

Marquardt said West Islip is considering this program because it changes the culture of the schools so that bystanders are empowered in a bullying situation. "If you empower the bystanders, you're removing the power from the bully," he said. "West Islip has strong sense of community. It's an issue that we take very seriously. We're moving in the direction of making changes that are going to be long-lasting."

Bullying, with advances in technology and the ever-constant pressures put on students by peers, is a complex problem that may require a complex solution, but many educators believe that education should be a part of that solution. 

"Culturally, kids are taught that bullying is just a part of growing up. It's important to educate them from a very young age that bullying is not just part of growing up. There are strategies they can use so that know how to handle a bullying situation; they know the resources available to them in case they feel bullied," Marquardt said. "But I think education should go forward into the community. Many parents would benefit from some type of educational program about the various types of bullying. It will enhance their ability to help their child."

If a student is being bullied, Marquardt recommends that student tell a member of the school faculty, a guidance counselor and the principal about it. "Go to someone they trust and let them know something is happening," he said. "Tell someone about your ordeal because there are lot of people who can help you."

Lawmakers are also taking bullying seriously. The Suffolk County Legislature this week considered a bill that would make cyberbullying of a minor under that age of 19 a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to a year in prison. The legislature closed the hearing on the bill and could vote on it at its June 22 meeting. 

 


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