Cyber-bullying

How many of your students have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media accounts?  How many of them text daily?  In this era, most of our students have plenty of access to online or electronic communication.  At times, we have issues that arise due to students posting inappropriate, mean, private or untrue information about others.  This can lead to cyber-bullying.  I encourage you to monitor your child's online social life.  I know as a parent of a high schooler, it's often difficult to do this because we want to trust them and to give them a certain amount of privacy.  Still, it is important that we maintain our role as parents and guardians and continue to stay abreast about how and with whom our kids are communicating.

A new state cyber-bullying law is in place as of December 1, 2012 (Session Law 2012-149, Senate Bill 707; Section 4).  This law protects school employees from being victims of cyber-bullying.  For example, it makes it unlawful for a student to build a fake profile or web site as a means of torture or intimidation of a school employee.  The same is true for students posting or encouraging others to post private, personal or sexual information pertaining to a school employee.

At Salisbury High School, I want all students and staff members to feel safe!  In the coming months, our school will have access to an online bullying reporting system called Sprigeo.  We will use this system to respond to reports from parents or students involving bullying or harassment. In the meantime, students should always know that if they have a problem or are being bullied, they can talk to me, another administrator, guidance counselors, teachers and any staff member.

Thanks for your continued support!  Have an Incredible Weekend and Go Hornets!