DUNMORE - Bullying is a problem that can be stopped by students, and prevented by the federal government, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said Monday morning at a visit to Dunmore Middle School. Mr. Casey called for passage of legislation to prevent bullying and harassment in schools.
The Safe Schools Improvement Act, which Mr. Casey reintroduced last month, would require districts to prohibit bullying and harassment and keep records of incidents. Information on incidents would be available to the public. The bill would also encourage schools to implement anti-bullying programs. Any school that receives federal money would fall under the act, and schools would have the flexibility to spend federal dollars on the efforts.
Mr. Casey originally introduced the bill in 2011 with U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, a Republican from Illinois. The bill failed to go beyond the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
On Monday, Mr. Casey stood between two hand-painted signs welcoming him to the middle school.
Dunmore students and staff members spoke about what they have done to combat bullying. With social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, bullying is now a "24-7" epidemic, said guidance counselor Kim Ahern.
"We all play an important role in combating bullying," she said.
While Dunmore usually has a school climate that is positive, some bullying still occurs, said senior Griffin Gerchman, student body president.
A club was started as part of the Rachel's Challenge program, a national effort to stop bullying, named for a victim of the Columbine High School shooting.
Members of the club complete and encourage random acts of kindness, including a pep rally last year for a special needs student.
At the elementary school level, sixth-graders put on a puppet show about bullying for the younger students. The role of the "bystander," or someone witnessing the bullying, is also a focus district-wide, so that students take an active role in making a difference.
Mr. Casey commended the school community for the efforts.
"All of us can play a role. If we see it, we can do something about it," he said.
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