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Parents, students testify on bullying

Parents, students testify in Concord on bullying legislation

Seacoast legislators sponsor change in law


Jennifer Feals
By Jennifer Feals
jfeals@seacoastonline.com
January 22, 2010 2:00 AM

Brianna Hartford, a sophomore at Littleton High School, sees change in New Hampshire schools. She sees all students being welcome, their differences embraced and accepted, and every student has friends and a sense of belonging.

Hartford was one of approximately 15 students and parents who spoke in support of a rewrite of the Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Act Tuesday, Jan. 19, during a public hearing before the Education Committee in Concord.

"Bullying is an issue that undoubtedly exists in every school, but with awareness, effective policies and communication among educators, parents and students, it is an issue that is far from being unpreventable," said Hartford, the student representative for Bully Free NH. Many students in the state feel their safety and education are hindered by the cruelty of others, Hartford said.

"Unfortunately, many of these situations go unnoticed or mishandled due to a lack of strict policy enforcement, and a common understanding among educators, parents and students about what bullying actually entails," she said.

House Bill 1523 — co-sponsored by state Reps. Donna Schlachman, D-Exeter, and Nancy Stiles, R-Hampton — clearly defines bullying, its characteristics and its impacts, while expanding its definition to fit today's society by including "cyber-bullying." It also creates requirements for schools to adopt a policy prohibiting bullying, harassment, intimidation and cyber-bullying, and provide staff training in dealing with bullying, along with awareness and prevention programs for students, staff and parents. In addition, a provision is added to hold schools accountable for enforcing the law by making them follow a procedure for reporting incidents of bullying or harassment.

The bill will strengthen communication in schools and will change the school atmosphere, said Hartford and Littleton High School Senior Hannah Mitchell.

"Instead of making it so kids are just being bullied, they will actually have hope," said Mitchell, who made a presentation to the committee on the effects bullying can have on a student.

Mitchell, who was bullied herself in the third grade, said a student feels they lose their friends, family and security when they are bullied.

The bill will now most likely move forward to a subcommittee of the House Education Committee where any concerns raised during the public hearing will be addressed. For instance, Stiles said there was a suggestion to eliminate the specificity of bullying subjects within the law and for it to include "all bullying." However this may change the definitiveness of the amendment and will be a conversation that will have to take place, she said. Once the amendment moves through the subcommittee, it will be voted on by the House and, if passed, will then move on to the Senate.

With the support expressed for the amendment, Stiles said, "I have no doubt that it will pass."

The bill has been a labor of love for a group of local mothers who have watched their children suffer the effects of bullying. These mothers questioned whether their school administration acted appropriately to provide a safe environment for their children and decided to effect change by amending the state law.

"It's been totally worthwhile. It's been a labor of love and certainly is just going to make children's lives so much better," said Carol Croteau of Kingston, whose daughter experienced verbal and cyber-bullying at the high school level in 2006.

Mary Michel's son was bullied to the point he contemplated suicide at the age of 9.

"With what happened to my son I just couldn't stand by idly and do nothing," said Michel of Stratham, whose son now attends a local private school. "What happened to my son never should have happened, and I really don't want any other family to go through it."