BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO BULLYING

 To the Editor:

 I am writing with a somewhat unusual request for your readers – their help in stopping bullying in schools.

 Dear Readers:

  If you were bullied in school, or if your child is being bullied in school now, please take a few moments to put your story into a letter and send it to your state legislators. When you write to them, tell them that you would like them to take action to ensure that all schools are actively engaged in a battle to end student bullying.

 As the legislature returns for the last part of the 2005-06 Legislative Session, your help is needed in advancing the issue of student bullying prevention. I am sponsoring legislation (S.B. 1013) that would require school districts to put in place bullying and intimidation prevention programs and to ensure that all students are made aware of the programs.

 Unfortunately, the two-year legislative session is drawing to a close in a few months, and if we do nothing many Pennsylvania students will have to face bullying for another school year.

 Student bullying is the underlying cause of school violence, truancy and even teen suicide. Some school districts have put in place district-level policy to deal with bullying. In fact, Upper Merion Area School District has a wonderful program in place. I've had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Karen Geller, Principal Grades 5 and 6 at the Upper Merion Area Middle School who started the program in the high school in 1998 and brought it with her to the middle school. I'm sure they are not the only school district that recognizes the need to prevent bullying and that have a program in place, but until there is a state-level policy to require all school districts to do so, not all of Pennsylvania's children will be safe.

 Student bullying is not a rite of passage and it should not be tolerated. Please help me do something about this issue and protect all of Pennsylvania's students.

 Sincerely,
Connie Williams
State Senator
17^th District