The chairwoman of the Baltimore County Council is hoping legislators in Annapolis will put more effort into anti-bullying efforts in local schools.
Vicki Almond is sponsoring a resolution calling on the General Assembly to "provide the necessary resources to school systems and appropriate agencies who work with young people and allow them to establish multi-disciplinary teams in each jurisdiction, to include but not be limited to school personnel, and representatives from the local police department, the appropriate local mental health agency and the local State's Attorney, to address bullying, harassment, and intimidation." [A copy of the resolution is attached to this story.]
The resolution does not specify programs or a desired funding amount. It does not carry the force of law and state legislators are not required to comply.
"It brings it to the attention of the General Assembly in a broader way," said Almond. "This is just a way to encourage our delegates and senators to look for funding to address bullying.
Almond said she'd like legislators to approach the issue on a larger scale than simply each local school system.
"I'm not sure we have a statewide way of handling bullying," she said.
Almond said her efforts in Baltimore County mirror those of Howard County Councilwoman Courtney Watson and another effort in Montgomery County.
While once unheard of, this is not the first time Almond or other Baltimore County councilmembers elected since 2010 have taken a stand through their public office.
In 2011, Almond and four other councilmembers issued a letter urging their constituents to sign a petition to place the Maryland DREAM Act on the 2012 ballot.
That same year, Almond was part of a group of four freshman councilmembers who signed a letter calling a school board task force to reconsider a vote it took on the issue of elected school boards.
In the past, the council has abstained from such public declarations on state and federal issues.
While on the council, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz frequently lectured his colleagues about not following the lead of the Baltimore City Council and refraining from getting involved in state and federal issues.
He said it can become a distraction.
In 2011, Kamenetz urged Almond and others to stay away from issues like the DREAM Act.
"Once you open that door then it's hard to say 'No,' to other issues that come along," Kamenetz said at the time. "Next thing you know we're passing resolutions on United Nations issues."
His assistant Ms. Slazek seems to think that anything goes and that if you choose to go on the internet it's - oh well. So if I'm to believe him and Ms. Slazek there is no crime such as cyber bullying and you can say anything you want. I'm working on a PIA to see just how many such crimes the SA has not only investigated but prosecuted as well. I wonder how he would like it if someone were to attack him, and his family on a daily basis. I wonder how Ms. Slazek would like it to be the talk of the office at the water cooler every day. Mr. Schellengerber is so confused that when I confronted him about my case he told me to get a warrant for the suspect. I said that's great but who is the suspect since neither your office nor the police even investigated it. Now here is the crazy part. Chief Jim Johnson makes a big announcement about the police and their new - cyber crime unit - and when I call the SA they don't know what I'm talking about. http://dundalk.patch.com/blog_posts/full-agenda-vip-speakers-greet-annual-norwoodholabird-community-meeting Another fine example of our local government at work. I called the new cyber crime unit and told them of the situation and there were ready to move quickly and go after the bad guys. Never heard from them again.
I don't need the state of Maryland spending anymore of my money trying to address Bullying. There is more bullying now because of the ways it can happen (twitter, facebook , texting, etc.) and the absolute lack of parenting. Our schools refuse to call parents out on their failure to parent, and like to act like they can really make a difference in this department. Not the job of schools and government; stop taxing me to make up for stupid people, bad decisions, and an absence of parenting.
Bullying isn't happening because we aren't talking about it; it is happening because parents aren't raising,supervising, and teaching their children. PFLAG, GLSEN, and the State of Maryland aren't going to change that by taking more of my money. I don't hear about it daily; I see it, work with it, and address it. I work in a public school in Baltimore County. You should see the foolish programs that are implemented to discourage bullying. The kids laugh at it. I suppose you'd consider it money well spent, since we are 'talking about it'.
Maybe you should do your homework before you comment. You handle it where, in you class? How's that going to solve the problem for the rest of the suffering? Parents! Look at the stats on that issue. http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-suicide.html http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bs-ae-book-lanier-20121117,0,333480.story If it is not a problem that needs to be addressed at the legislative level put your name and school out there and see how long it takes for you, and adult to become a victim. You need a lesson in reality.
"Bullying" is merely the latest code word for the political correctness du jour. Imagine students in Baltimore City schools being expected to adhere to this nonsense. And as Perry Hall and Stemmers Run will attest, it's not limited to the city. Kids are willing to go so far as to blow each other away with shotguns these days.
2. I'm assuming you mean, "in your class." Yes, and elsewhere. I occurs in many different forms, both in and out of school. 3. Stats are stats. I know what goes on; not saying it doesn't. Your comprehension skills are still lacking. I'm saying that I disagree with the approach here. What we need to do, is start holding parents criminally responsible for allowing these behaviors; especially online. 4. I'm well connected to reality. Which is why I don't use my last name; I don't need some overzealous internet hero peeping through my blinds at night. 5. I find it surprising (you spelled that wrong too) that you would take the opportunity to bully someone on the message section of an anti-bullying article.
I think Evets and others are making the point this is an important subject that takes over 4,000 young lives a year and needs to be addressed seriously, even at the adult level. I think her point is that she demonstrated in a nice way along with some others the impact of this topic. I sure could use an editor like Evets, I haven't seen an adverb sine I got whacked with a ruler.
The one thing that is missing is adults can be bullied on the internet also, although Mr. Shellenberger does not think it's a crime. Wait till he gest my PIA and I kept my notes on our conversation. The police say yes we do while Shellenberger says no we don't. Jim Smith's money went to his head. It will lead to a good blog.
The sate passes laws to defend the defenseless. If the laws were strict and held those accountable and the schools stop coddling these kids it might stop. Read up on the Catholic Church and Penn State. They did nothing and look where it got them. Bankruptcy and jail time. Many parents are not capable or responsible of raising children when they themselves have severe problems. You make people on this site use their real names and provide contact information and see how civil they would become. Most people don't speed past marked police units.
This issue can be stopped easily for one simple word to stop bullying - ACCOUNTABILITY! It's not PC to suspend students. Bad publicity for the mayor and superintendent. Maybe you should read this account buy a teacher. The county is no different. http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bs-ae-book-lanier-20121117,0,333480.story
Money won't solve the problem, accountability will. And I mean accountability not some feel good program that coddles these kids. You think that by not holding them accountability in school will change them all of a sudden when they graduate? Why allow a few to disrupt the whole system and that could lead to large scale violence like Columbine. Tim is right there is no need for this bullying on this site if the comments are removed prior to being posted or making sure of a registration that can identify the offender.
Guess what, there are not stats on this matter in the county, no records, no nothing. Why, because it's a Resolution and it means nothing. IT IS NOT LEGISLATION! It's a feel good piece or propaganda. Ms. Almond did not do her homework and she is the Chairwoman of the Council. All she would have to do is read Patch and some of the vile comments posted against adults. I guess she feels that these types of crimes, stop once you out of school. I guess commuter harassment, and libel are OK as long as your under 18. I wonder how long they would take someone accusing them of criminal conduct without a way to stop them. Like Schellenberger and Slazek said there is no crime, it's OK to say anything. Ms. Almond and Mr. Schellenberger I'll repeat to you what was said to me and do it day after day. See how well you handle it? You'll be hearing a lot from me. I can't believe the president of the council could write a resolution like that without any thought of other consequences. A simple Google could have helped I guess I'll have to get the state AG to do Schellenberger's and Chief Johnson's job.
Proactive! How, where's the stats. I just filed a PIA to find out. Filled in 08? Then why do we still need cops in the schools?
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