All-Star Transportation Learns About

New State Bullying Updates

By Eliza Hallabeck

As part of All-Star Transportation’s efforts against mean behavior, Reed Intermediate School Assistant Principal Anthony Salvatore, who is also the district’s safe school climate coordinator, spoke with assembled members of the bus company’s Newtown branch on Thursday, October 4.

Earlier in the week, on Monday, October 1, All-Star participated in a Blue Shirt Day, a part of the World Day of Bullying Prevention, and the drivers and administrative staff for the transportation company wore their shirts again for Thursday’s meeting. The shirts had a picture of a school bus on them and said, “Be Nice on My Bus!”

As Dr Salvatore explained on Thursday, “If you don’t have a positive climate, you will still have poor behavior, or mean behavior.”

For most of his presentation, Dr Salvatore outlined Connecticut state law, Public Act No. 11-232, “an act concerning the strengthening of school bullying laws.” He also explained changes in the newest version of the law that effect adults in a school district, including drivers for All-Star Transportation.

Bullying is determined by whether there is an imbalance of power, an intent to harm, and if actions are repeated over time. The old version of the law defined it to only happening on school grounds, but in the new version schools are mandated to inspect all reported possible incidents that inflect emotional or physical harm to a student or a student’s property, whether on or off school grounds.

“The state legislature wants to send the message to kids that you are protected no matter where you are,” said Dr Salvatore.

Adults working or volunteering in the school district are now mandated reporters with the changes, including bus drivers. Dr Salvatore told the All-Star Transportation Newtown drivers that they should report suspected incidents of bullying to both All-Star and to the school district.

“You have a tremendous impact for the kids on your bus,” said Dr Salvatore.