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Dear (Contact First Name),
Wow! Things are happening at break-neck speed at the Capitol and we are just a little more than one week into the 2014 session. It's been called "Fast & Furious" and it feels very much like that. The session is a short one with the first deadline on March 21st. We want to get you updated on what has happened thus far and what we expect in the coming weeks.
No one - no parent or educator - want to see anyone bullied. And there is some thought that not supporting this bill is going against "mom and apple pie". The fact is, there are some parts of this bill that are over-reaching and unfunded. The LAC is advocating for the following position points:
- Provide a clear, concise definition of bullying.
- As the bill is currently written, there is no clear definition of bullying included. For school to implement the bill's requirements, teachers and administrators must have clarity on what is and what is not considered bullying.
- Limit volunteer training to those with regular student contact.
- The current bill mandates all volunteers to undergo bullying training. While on the surface it would seem like a reasonable thing to do, take a moment to consider if you would volunteer to help at a classroom party for an hour if the training were equal time. How about the scenario where you volunteered to sort library books, or help with school pictures? Or perhaps the group of volunteers from the local corporation who volunteer to help with a family night; is it necessary for these volunteers to put forth the extra time in training when there are licensed educators in the same space? It may limit the volunteer time we receive from our parents, community &/or businesses.
- Cyberbullying - what is it and where does it start or stop?
- Our children/students are much more sophisticated with electronics than many of us were, or for that matter, are. As this bill is written, Cyberbullying is "bullying" (remember we don't have a clear definition) using any technology or other electronic communication ( to send a sign, signal, image or sound). More students than not now carry a smartphone or iPod like device to school, sports and may even sleep with it under their pillow. There are endless social media applications and often students are using more than one to communicate with their friends. Snapchat, Kik, Instagram and Vine are just a few. Don't forget the standard email communications (school assigned email accounts and sometimes other accounts such as hotmail or gmail) our students utilize. Mix all of this "communication" (signs, signals, images or sounds) together with what is perceived by one person to be an innocent comment and offensive to another and you may have a bully and a victim.
- Provide resources, don't mandate staff development
- Again, sounds like a great idea to provide our educators with more information and training. Take pause to think of how few staff development days teachers already have and all of the material they currently have to cover. Is there a better way to get this done?
Robbinsdale Area Schools currently has a very comprehensive Student's Rights and Responsibilities policy. We feel that districts should have resources but leave policies and procedures in the area to our licensed administrators.
What you can do!
Since the bill has already passed in the House, it now moves to the Senate. HF 826 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Education Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 11th at 8:30 am at the Capitol. Please note, these times do change, so best to check in the morning. If you would like to attend with us, please contact Kim at 763-504-4087 or kimberley_lewis@rdale.org. If you can't attend, please email your senator (see right side bar) and/or the Senate Education Committee members asking them to take the points above into consideration when enacting this legislation.
The LAC invites you to participate with us in whatever way works for you! Please let us know if you are interested in:
- Joining one of our discussions with our representatives
- Working with us to share your personal story on how public education impacts your family or community
- Attending periodic workshops offered with our partners
- Like us on Facebook
- Share our information with friends
Please call 763-504-4087 or email for more information.
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Current Events
School & Student Advocacy Boot Camp
Monday, March 10, 2014 6:30-8 pm
Citizen Advocacy
Eisenhower Community Center
1001 Highway 7
Hopkins, MN 55305
All sessions are free; however we ask you to register so we know to expect you.
Voices for Children MN
Voices for Children MN is holding their "Day at the Capitol" event on Wednesday, March 26th at 9:30 am. Bring the kids! It will be a fun "field trip".
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