NHS Students Speak To State Legislature Education Committee On Bullying

Connecticut students may soon have more protections from being bullied through e-mail, text message, and on social networking sites, thanks to the efforts of a group of Newtown High School students assisted by Newtown State Representative Christopher Lyddy.

Last week, four NHS students testified at a public hearing conducted by the legislature’s Education Committee on the proposed Act Concerning The Strengthening of School Bullying Laws (HB 1138).

The students, Adam Oelberg, Lydia Post, Mary Hamula, and Katie Peters, and NHS teacher Larry Saladin are part of a student government group that has been working with Mr Lyddy. As part of the project, Mr Lyddy discussed the legislative process, shared information about the problem of bullying, and advised the students about testifying at the legislative hearing.

“It is our great responsibility to ensure that our children have a safe place to live and learn,” said Mr Lyddy, a democrat and Education Committee member. “The emotional distress and suffering that bullies inflict on their peers can no longer be tolerated.”

The legislation adds cyberbullying to the various types of harassment specifically banned at Connecticut schools and school-related activities. The updated law would also require districts to designate someone at each school to monitor bullying complaints, add school buses and bus stops to protected spots, and require administrators to contact police about any bullying that might constitute criminal conduct.

“The Newtown High School students helped illustrate for the legislature just how serious the issue of bullying, particularly cyberbullying, has become in our schools,” said Senator John McKinney, a Republican. “The students did an excellent job presenting their argument to the committee. I am pleased the Education Committee has raised the bullying bill and I’m hopeful the House and Senate will take action.”

Newtown State Representative DebraLee Hovey, a Republican, also spoke in favor of the bill. 

“Bullying is so deadly to a child’s soul we must as a community create a culture that does not tolerate it and go so far as to assure each child feels empowered to be all they can be,” Ms Hovey said.

“I am proud of the courageous students from Newtown who have decided to tackle this issue,” Mr Lyddy said. “Their leadership sets the tone not only for their peers, but more importantly for our community at large. We should look to their example and embrace their spirit of creating a community that is free of bullying.”

A 2009 state report found that one of every four Connecticut high school students said they had been bullied or harassed on school property in the past year. Among freshmen, the number was one in three.

“While this legislation is a giant step in the right direction, we must not lose sight of each of our roles, whether it be in or outside of the school setting, in modeling a healthy dialogue and appropriate behavior,” Mr Lyddy said.