On October 26, 2010, Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights released a "Dear Colleague" letter addressing public schools responsibilities in addressing bullying. This letter begins:

"In recent years, many state departments of education and local school districts have taken steps to reduce bullying in schools. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) fully supports these efforts. Bullying fosters a climate of fear and disrespect that can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of its victims and create conditions that negatively affect learning, thereby undermining the ability of students to achieve their full potential. The movement to adopt anti-bullying policies reflects schools' appreciation of their important responsibility to maintain a safe learning environment for all students. I am writing to remind you, however, that some student misconduct that falls under a school's anti-bullying policy also may trigger responsibilities under one or more of the federal antidiscrimination laws enforced by the Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). As discussed in more detail below, by limiting its response to a specific application of its anti-bullying disciplinary policy, a school may fail to properly consider whether the student misconduct also results in discriminatory harassment..." more

November in National Diabetes Awareness Month.  Over 185,000 children and youth under age 20 live with diabetes. It is a disease that affects the whole family, especially when a child is diagnosed. Families worry about medical care and costs, how to manage diabetes at school, and how it may  impact a child's life. 

For more information visit:

National Diabetes Education Program

American Diabetes Association