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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Campus Safety, Regulatory Compliance

  I wrote a couple blogs in December 2010 about importance of solving bullying problems and about the importance of awareness, accountability and measurability in solving problems.  The underlying message in each of those 2010 blogs was to point out the need to SOLVE problems rather than just talking about what SHOULD be done. So in honor of Groundhog Day and the movie Groundhog Day, today is the perfect day to shed some light (or shade) on the dreaded “should all over yourself syndrome”. And for you Tony Robbins fans, you may have heard Tony tell us all to:  “Stop shoulding all over yourself”. SoRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, School Safety

  Much of the media spotlight in 2010 was given to bullying, cyberbullying, bullying legislation, bullycides, bullying lawsuits and more.  However, most of the attention was focused on reacting to problems and consequences. In 2011, rather than continuing to discuss how to address bullying once it occurs, reading about young children driven to suicide after countless years of bullying and debating over states implementing anti-bullying laws, perhaps school and community leaders can work together to prevent and mitigate this escalating challenge? In 2011, hopefully schools will be focused on solving bullying related problems, preventing bullying and preventing bullying consequences. The OCR “Dear Colleague” letter inRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Incident Reporting, School Safety

  In a recent Boston Globe article, several Massachusetts school administrators discussed how they were implementing (or not implementing) the new state requirements for bullying. The new anti-bullying law can potentially expose schools — and individual staffers — to lawsuits by parents or state authorities if incidents of bullying are not handled properly. One of the key requirements is for school leaders to thoroughly investigate all reports of bullying and document actions taken.  One superintendent claimed, “I like to keep the informal stuff in my head.”  But, keeping informal reports and incidents in one faculty member’s head provides no documentation of a student skipping school,Read More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, School Safety

  Natasha Alam from True Blood has joined the growing list of celebrities speaking out publicly against bullying.  Celebrities are raising awareness and bringing attention to this escalating challenge. Alam recently filmed an anti-bullying public service announcement (PSA), click here to learn more. Canada recently targeted bullying with their National Bullying Awareness Week and the UK recently promoted the Big March to bring attention to bullying, violence and harassment in schools. Each of these efforts encourages people to speak out about bullying and victimization, and adults are being urged to listen.  These campaigns also mention prevention, the need for awareness and how everyone (students, parents,Read More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Emergency Management, Incident Reporting, Information Security, Legal, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management

  How is your incident reporting system working for you?  Or perhaps the question should be – Is your incident reporting system working against you? Lessons learned continue to show that organizations find themselves in ‘reaction mode’ more than they are in ‘prevention mode’.  How can this be when most every organization claims to have an incident reporting system in place? Are traditional incident reporting systems obsolete? Multiple surveys reveal that 90% of bystanders who witness a bullying incident DO NOT report the incident.  So why aren’t bystanders not reporting incidents? Perhaps bystanders are not reporting because of one or more of the following reasons:Read More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Regulatory Compliance, School Safety

  Legislators in New Jersey have proposed what may be the toughest anti-bullying law in the nation with a “bill of rights” as its charter.  On the heels of the recent tragedy at Rutgers University when freshman Tyler Clementi jumped to his death, the proposed legislation builds on current laws that have not adequately protected students who are intimidated every day. New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights would: Apply to bullying at school, near school and on school buses and to cyberbullying. Require training for nearly all school employees on how to identify, prevent and report acts of intimidation Set deadlines for incidents of bullyingRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Risk Management, School Safety

  I read a couple online articles recently that boggled my mind.  The title of a recent blog from ZDNet was: Does cyberbullying exist, and is technology to blame? My responses: Does cyberbullying exist?             YES Is technology to blame?                NO Blaming technology for cyber bullying is like blaming the swing set or the teeter totter for playground bullying. Cyber bullying is very real, very hurtful, very serious…and only the tip of the iceberg. The effects of bullying and cyber bullying on students can lead to suicide, loneliness, low self-esteem, aggression, vandalism, weapons, truancy, lawsuits and much more. Student safety is a HUGE passionRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, School Safety, Workplace Violence

New data released this week revealed: 17 percent of American students report being bullied 2-3 times a month or more within a school semester. Over 9% of girls and 14% of boys just watch their fellow classmates get bullied. Over 30% of girls and 22% of boys think they ought to help the bullied students, but don’t do anything about it. 80% of bullying is witnessed; but only 10% of witnesses/bystanders report incidents. Why are bystanders not reporting incidents? There are many reasons and some of the most common include: Some feel threatened or intimidated when reporting a bully or suspicious incident. Some do notRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Incident Reporting, Risk Management, School Safety

  Do you know what the legal definition of “deliberate indifference” is? The conscious or reckless disregard for the consequences of one’s acts or omissions. If you are a school leader, school board member or community leader, you might do a quick web search using the words below:                 deliberate indifference lawsuit school 2010 Over 8,000 results came up from my search and many of the results were related to lawsuits being brought against schools and universities under violation of Title IX.  I heard the term “deliberate indifference” over the weekend when one of the national news channels did a bullying feature on a schoolRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Incident Reporting, Workplace Violence

  What is your first thought when you hear the word WHISTLEBLOWER? Whistleblower definitions commonly say a whistleblower is any person that reveals wrongdoing or malpractices taking place within an organization.  And in many cases a whistleblower may face retaliation or other negative ramifications and by law may require special protection. What is your first thought when you hear the word HERO? Hero definitions run from mythical and legendary figures to a person that is admired for their achievements or noble qualities to a central figure in an event, period or movement. When is the last time you heard an organization promote their Hero Line? Read More →