Board of Education

Pictured left to right:

Madonna Kramer

Steve Overacker

Dina Horne

Dennis Devlin

Paul Aldridge

Lisa Ashcraft

Jeff Lauinger

Spotlight on the Board…
Steve Overacker, Trustee

“Matt’s Safe School Law”

On December 6, 2011, Governor Snyder signed anti-bullying legislation into law to help protect students from intimidation and harassment. Matt Epling, a Michigan teen who committed suicide shortly after a hazing incident, inspired “Matt’s Safe School Law.” At the time of its passage, Michigan was one of only three states without anti-bullying laws. The law created a three-step process that all schools in Michigan must now comply with:

• Districts must hold at least one public meeting about potential anti-bullying policy.
• Districts will then approve and adopt a policy tailored to their students.
• That plan will then be submitted to the Michigan Department of Education.

The law defines bullying as abuse that interferes with the victim’s ability to take part in educational opportunities and other benefits and programs offered by the school. It includes actions that place victims in reasonable fear of physical harm or emotional distress. The policy applies on school premises, school buses, and off-site school activities.

I am happy to report that a review of the current practices here in Spring Lake shows that many of these new requirements are already in place. The on-going efforts by our staff have been focused on not only teaching about the harmful effects that bullying has on others but to also teach the skills needed to keep our kids from being a victim. Our schools place a daily emphasis in showing “respect,” have provided school wide assemblies, classroom discussion/activities are facilitated by our Guidance Counselors, students receive instruction on how to report harassment, and several staff have been trained in conflict resolution. Some of your schools have implemented school wide positive behavior support plans that encourage students to engage in positive behaviors. At the high school, students have been made aware of the definition of bullying as well as the existing process to report any bullying that they have experienced or observed. Our staffs have already established a “safety” link/tab on the district web page that allows students to privately report bullying by sending a text message to the number listed. This information is then electronically delivered to the high school assistant principal.

We often hear complaints about “another mandate from Lansing,” however when it comes to providing students with a “safe school environment,” it would appear that Lansing is finally catching up to what we have had in place for a long time.
 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed above do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Spring Lake Board of Education.