DHS: Struggling with a bullying problem

I think that there is absolutely a bullying problem for some students at DHS, but at a much smaller scale than most.  Our first class standard has definitely helped, but I personally know two people, two friends of mine, who each claim to be suffering electronic harassment from the other.  I have tried to tell them both to just cut off communication entirely if they cannot communicate in a beneficial way.  The problems are deeply rooted with some people, but I personally think that, in general as a whole, DHS has very good control of the bullying situation. 

An update on the efforts to make schools safer for people like Jamie Nabozny

For so many people, school is not what it is supposed to be.  Rather than a safe place to enjoy a productive learning environment, many people face verbal and physical harrasment at school and without any consequences for those who commit the acts of hatred and intolerance. There is currently a policy waiting for approval from congress called the Student Non-Discrimination Act which is being pushed by the Human Rights Campaign.  If this law were to be passed, it would, in theory, guarantee protection for students against harrasment including that based on gender expression and sexuality.  But, even if this is passed, there would be a lot of work to be done to make sure it is followed and upheld in all schools. 

http://americansfortruth.com/

A great resource for total bigoted bullshit about the 'homosexual agenda'

Bullying; Unnacceptable for any reason

As stated in the title of this post, I believe that bullying is wrong an damaging regardless of the reasoning behind it.  Bullying in itself specifies that it is not any sort of justified reaction of self defense or discipline, but rather harassment, physical, verbal, and often worst of all psychological.  Especially in the event of physical bullying taking place on school property, there is absolutely no excuse for the school not to take action.  Ideally there would never be any instances of escalation to physical violation, but the unfortunate reality is that it often does happen.  Even non-physical can often be fatal, as seen in the news lately with the spree of teen suicides as a result of bullying, mostly for the sexuality of the victims.  I hope that I will live to see a time when this does not occur anymore, and for now I do everything that I can to help work towards that future. 

Follow up to fourth amendment post

In response to the articles found from the following links http://www.aclu.org/drug-law-reform/us-supreme-court-declares-strip-search-13-year-old-student-unconstitutional http://www.onpointnews.com/NEWS/Sexting-Suit-Tests-Searches-of-Student-Cell-Phones.html http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/aclu-settles-student-cell-phone-search-lawsuit-northeast-pennsylvania-school-district http://rutherford.org/articles_db/press_release.asp?article_id=854

Fourth Amendment and Student Searches

 In terms of rights guaranteed by the fourth amendment, I understand that there is reasonable argument against drug testing in schools.  However, I also recognize that in the interest of the safety of the student, drugs are dangerous, especially for athletes in competitive sports.  Therefore, I am too conflicted to say one way or another, whether or not I think that Drug testing policies should be enstated in public schools.