Panel kills bill to require school bullying policy
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090211/UPDATES/90211058/1001/NEWS
Well, it looks like South Dakota lawmakers don't care about their kids. Somehow they think they were elected to "delagate" to the schools to set their own anti bullying rules...like they believe the government-run schools will on their own? One can only pray that they care about anyone's safety in South Dakota... I don't know why I thought this, but I thought the number one job of our state and federal lawmakers was to protect it's citizens. Maybe in South Dakota kids aren't considered worthy to be considered citizens - they are 2nd class, I guess. ...Can you tell I'm disgusted? My comments in blue
Here's the article.
PIERRE – A legislative committee says bullying is a school and community problem that won’t be ended with state laws. (Yes, and car accidents won't be prevented with good roads and road signs)
The House Education Committee voted 11-3 on Wednesday to kill HB1279, which would have required every school board to develop a policy that prohibits bullying and harassment and provides safe ways for victims to report incidents. Supporters said school children sometimes stay away because they fear bullies. Uniform policies would help schools deal with the problem, they said. Opponents said the issue is a community one that state law won’t solve. (Opponents have never had to fight a school district living in la-la land - "bullying doesn't happen in our school")
Well, get ready South Dakota - you are going to see lawsuits against school districts instead of laws - a good law could have prevented the wave.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Bully Police USA has a new Co-Director
Kevin Epling has agreed to be the Bully Police USA Co-Director and serve with myself, Brenda High, to move BPUSA into the forfront of volunteerism and activism for the kids of America.
A little about Kevin...
Kevin is the father of Matt Epling, whose story is featured in the book, Bullycide in America: Moms speak out about the bullying/suicide connection. (This book can be found at http://www.bullycide.org/.)
After the loss of his son Matthew in the summer of 2002, forty days after a hazing incident, Kevin and Tammy Epling began to work for an anti-bullying law in Michigan. They want to make sure that children were safe from bullying, hazing and harassment in Michigan’s schools and that the trauma they endured would not happen to someone else. The law will be named "Matt's Safe School Law" in memory of their son.
Locally, Kevin and Tammy have led the charge to establish a community based awareness program: Safe Schools, Safe Communities.
The Eplings have been actively telling their story to numerous civic, educational and parent groups, have been featured on CNN, The Mitch Albom Show and several other local and regional news outlets. Kevin and Tammy have established an art competition for middle school students to explore the arts and assist in building self esteem
Kevin and Tammy also serve as Legislative Liaisons for Bully Police Michigan as well as doing some consulting and speaking engagements. Kevin can be contacted by email at kepling@gmail.com.
A little about Kevin...
Kevin is the father of Matt Epling, whose story is featured in the book, Bullycide in America: Moms speak out about the bullying/suicide connection. (This book can be found at http://www.bullycide.org/.)
After the loss of his son Matthew in the summer of 2002, forty days after a hazing incident, Kevin and Tammy Epling began to work for an anti-bullying law in Michigan. They want to make sure that children were safe from bullying, hazing and harassment in Michigan’s schools and that the trauma they endured would not happen to someone else. The law will be named "Matt's Safe School Law" in memory of their son.
Locally, Kevin and Tammy have led the charge to establish a community based awareness program: Safe Schools, Safe Communities.
The Eplings have been actively telling their story to numerous civic, educational and parent groups, have been featured on CNN, The Mitch Albom Show and several other local and regional news outlets. Kevin and Tammy have established an art competition for middle school students to explore the arts and assist in building self esteem
Kevin and Tammy also serve as Legislative Liaisons for Bully Police Michigan as well as doing some consulting and speaking engagements. Kevin can be contacted by email at kepling@gmail.com.
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