School Safety Law Blog – Page 148 – News and Information for School Safety

Safety Law News for 6/4/12

by Bernie James • June 4, 2012

The Atlantic asks: Do Cell Phones Belong in the Classroom?

A new FCC condition on federal technology funds — combined with a new anti-cyberbullying law in Ohio — mean that educators face new imperatives in teaching students about social media use.

A Wisconsin sixth grade class lobbied its city council to outlaw cyberbullying – and, as a result, the city ordinance on unlawful use of electronic systems was amended to include online harassment.

After educators strip searched a girl for drugs, they learned that the tipster had a personal motive for saying the girl possessed drugs. The district “may or may not” have obtained permission to search from the girl’s grandfather, but her family is now suing the district for acting unreasonably.

Georgia educators banned a student from attending his own graduation, after he appealed his punishment for a senior prank. A federal court says that the student has a First Amendment right to criticize the school — and that he can walk in graduation.

Safety Law News for 6/1/12

by Bernie James • June 1, 2012

Connecticut educators discuss how to define bullying, even as they acknowledge the perception that, “Anything that happens, it all becomes bullying.” They note the need to distinguish bullying, civil rights violations, and criminal actions. In addition, a video provides details on how police fight online misconduct.

After a Maine student wrote a letter to educators explaining how she was bullied and sharing her frustration at the school’s apparent lack of response, she posted the letter online. The response to her was international, and thanks to the action of educators in her district, she is on the way to resolving her concerns.

A Pennsylvania school board has expelled students for bomb threats, while allowing the students to apply for readmission in twelve months. There was no actual danger, but educators said they had to respond seriously.

A senior prank became a safety hazard when students threw baby oil-filled water balloons at school—not to mention the food fight, crickets, and snakes. Some prank participants are banned from graduation. Others, who were less involved, will be escorted by their parents and monitored during graduation.

School Safety Law News for 5/31/12

by Bernie James • May 31, 2012

San Antonio schools will track students with chips embedded in ID cards, which only work on buses and on campus, in an effort to increase attendance funding. Student privacy is a concern, while one board trustee says that she does not want administrators to begin tracking teachers’ movements with imbedded chips.

New York educators face new obligations in dealing with on-campus and online harassment, as the Dignity for All Students Act takes effect July 1.

School Safety Law News for 5/25/12

by Bernie James • May 25, 2012

A student was disciplined for a “death list,” in which he named people who would die by driving off Mount Rushmore and by being run over by a moose. He called it a joke between classmates, but Massachusetts educators suspended him for almost an entire school year.

A Facebook post lead to a campus fight, after someone questioned a girl’s sexual orientation. At least one mother was involved in the brawl.

When a student brought a track and field starter gun to school, some students reported it as a handgun and the school went into lockdown. The district is reexamining how it notifies parents about emergencies.

School Safety Law News for 5/24/12

by Bernie James • May 24, 2012

Two Ohio elementary school students are facing criminal charges after one of them brought a loaded gun to school on Thursday. Both of them tried to hide it, but got caught.

Georgia school police use Facebook to keep schools safe.

School resource officer intercepts a student with a gun and a loaded clip on campus.

Colorado middle school student planned to plant a bomb at school, and he had the materials to do it. Another student turned him in.

School Safety Law News for 5/21/12

by Bernie James • May 21, 2012

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 4 percent of students were “afraid of attack or harm at school” in 2009 — a threefold decline from the 12 percent who were thus afraid in 1995. Educators discuss how they use character curriculum and an emphasis on friends to prevent bullying from even starting.

California lawmakers — concerned that too many students are suspended and expelled — are revisiting zero tolerance laws.

Positive Alternatives is an alternative to suspension for middle and high school students. Students referred to the program go to the club daily and get at least a portion of their school work under way so they do not fall further behind.

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