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Mostly Cloudy N.Y. Senator Kemp Hannon looks to pass anti-bullying legislation
Baldwin schools helping to educate students
New York is one of just a handful of states in the nation with no anti-bullying laws on the books. State Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) is looking to change that with legislation that would prohibit bullying and cyberbullying in schools and encourage districts to take more action.
Hannon’s bill would increase penalties for hazing and establish a hotline for children who are being bullied and feel they have no place else to turn. He noted that many nonprofit agencies on Long Island already offer interactive anti-bullying workshops, and the legislation would help direct those resources to schools.
One such organization is Child Abuse Prevention Services of Long Island, or CAPS. Executive Director Alane Fagin said that the group hosts programs in about 200 Long Island schools each year. Workshops include Steer Clear of Bullies for third- and fourth-graders, Step Up and Speak Out for middle-school children and Relational Aggression for female students. CAPS also offers several cyberbullying workshops.
“These programs are not assemblies,” Fagin stressed. “They’re given in classrooms. There’s a lot of interaction and critical thinking.”
There is no law on the books prohibiting bullying or cyberbullying in schools, but Baldwin School District officials say they have given much attention to the issue.
Each October, Baldwin Middle School marks Anti-Bullying Week, during which students combine an assembly presentation with reinforcing activities in the classroom. Last year, seventh- and eighth-grade students participated in two presentations by Camdel Productions: “Trust Me” and “Balance of Power.” The programs taught self-reflection and focusing on reaching one’s potential rather than one’s limitations.
Last year, John Halligan — whose son committed suicide after experiencing extensive bullying both at school and online — told his tragic story to Baldwin middle schoolers.
In addition, bullying awareness is part of the Home and Careers curriculum for sixth-grade students before they enter the middle school.
