Tomorrow is the first ever Bully Free DC Day, designed to raise awareness about bullying in schools, and to promote new anti-bullying legislation currently pending before the DC Council.
A rally is being held tomorrow at noon on the front steps of the Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW). The mayor, several council members, and community activists — including DCTC’s Sadie-Ryanne Vashti — are scheduled to speak. Please join us tomorrow!
A brief snapshot of the DC anti-bullying bill, from our partners at GLSEN:
This anti-bullying measure will emphasize preventative education and will require DC Public Schools and other District agencies that work with youth to pass comprehensive anti-bullying policies. The bill will help provide teachers with the tools they need to prevent bullying, harassment and cyberbullying and encourage these agencies to establish bullying prevention programs.
- DC Public Schools, DC Public Charter Schools, the Department of Parks and Recreation, DC Public Libraries, and the University of District of Columbia are the entities required under this bill to adopt anti-bullying policies and encouraged to establish prevention programs.
- This bill provides protection for ALL students while specifically identifying those characteristics that are frequent targets of bullying and harassment. Listing these enumerated categories is critical to ensure protection for all students. Research has shown that students who attend schools with policies that enumerate categories report less bullying and harassment than students who do not.
Click here to RSVP for the rally on facebook. See you tomorrow!