School Department Writing Policy to Protect Kids From Bullies

Bullying has taken the stage. 

In response to a Massachusetts mandate to update anti-bullying policy in all schools throughout the state, Seekonk is taking the bully by the horns and revising school language with the help of a task force. In addition to community members and school officials, School Resource Officer Steven Kandarian of the Seekonk Police Department is a member.

Seekonk Superintendent Madeline Meyers regards the new initiative as one which strengthens the policies that are already in effect.

"The bullying issue has always been dealt with before the state initiative. In an effort to comply with the new state laws we have developed a task force," she said. "Parents, teachers, community members putting their best minds together to upgrade the present program."

 According to state law, bullying is the "the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a victim."

School officials have said bullying isn't a problem in Seekonk but the law will help enforce behavorial standards should a problem arise in the future.

On May 3, Gov. Deval Patrick signed a comprehensive anti-bullying law that has pushed Mass. school systems to be more stringent against bullying's many forms. Along with No Name Calling Day designated to the fourth Wednesday in January, the bill urges for proactive measures against victimization.

Town meetings are scheduled for the coming weeks to further open the forum on bully-related abuse. The specifics of the new anti-bullying initiative will be voted on come Nov.1, and once the appropriate elements are achieved, will be sent to the Department of Education on Nov. 6.

In concert with Meyers, Director of Curriculum Jane Daly added that to supplement Seekonk's already active meetings about bullying, that their goals is to create a " prevention and intervention plan [including a] task force [concerned with] curriculum, interscholastic activities," as  bullying is not just restricted to the classroom.

A meeting at George R. Martin Elementary School will be held by the Massachussetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) on Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Cyber-bullying is also a hot topic Seekonk High School plans to highlight on their next public anti-bullying meeting on Tues. Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.