One of the main concerns this time of year is dressing appropriately for winter conditions. I have had bus drivers tell me that some students must not know that it is winter, getting on the bus for a route or activity with no coat, hat or gloves. With temperatures as extreme as they have been, a bus breaking down on a route or during an activity may take some time to get to or evacuate. Hypothermia would set in quickly, not to mention frostbite.
We have a responsibility to maintain the safety of our students at all times and dressing appropriately would really help. If students continue to come to the bus without winter apparel, they will be asked to go back in the building and get some. I really hope that they did not come to school that way.
On another issue, bullying is on the docket for the state legislature this session with the certainty that stiffer legislation will be added to our already existing mandates. Bullying is on the rise nationwide, and yes, it is clearly evident in our smaller communities as well.
Lb 205, the proposed bullying bill, defines bullying as any ongoing pattern of physical, verbal, or electronic abuse on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose by a school employee or his or her designee, at a designated school bus stop, or at school-sponsored activities or school –sponsored athletic events.
Bullying disrupts a school’s ability to educate students and threatens public safety by creating an atmosphere in which such behavior can escalate into violence. LB 205, the proposed bulling bill, if passed, would amend the Nebraska Student Discipline Act by expanding the grounds for long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment to include “engaging in bullying”. I am sure that all of us can remember back to our high school days to the class bully or certain students that got that reputation. It has been occurring for as long as I can remember. The problem that exists today is that with the infusion of wide-spread media including the internet, this type of behavior is no longer an isolated or occasional problem.
We can no longer use the phrase “nock it off”, and expect that to take care of the problem every time. So what can be done to help our small schools? Educating the children at an early age is probably the most effective. Parents can be extremely effective as well. Be aware of your child’s activities as much as possible. Be involved with their decisions in school and out. Together, we can make the school setting a safer atmosphere to be in. The worst feeling in the world is to be afraid to leave the house and go to school because you don’t feel safe. It does happen in our small communities and it is on the rise.
Category: News
