Austin, Texas (October 9, 2009) –   Every student in Texas schools deserves an education free from the harmful physical and emotional effects of harassment and bullying.  However, every day thousands of Texas children dread going to school to face the taunts, jeers, humiliation, physical intimidation and pain inflicted through harassment and bullying.

The Equality Texas Foundation is concerned that many school districts’ current policies on bullying and harassment may be inadequate, or inadequately enforced.  Although Texas’ schools have worked to make safe schools a reality by putting in place bullying and harassment policies required by the Texas Education Code, we believe current statutes do not yet adequately address the prevention, intervention, and elimination of bullying and harassment from our schools.

Although well-defined and communicated policies help deal with bullying and harassment when it happens, a comprehensive program is necessary for prevention. Programs that integrate a data-tracking system for bullying and harassment incidents, a robust district-level policy that is consistently enforced, and a research-proven program to educate both students and staff about bullying and harassment have been found to be the most effective.

On Wednesday, October 21, 2009, the Equality Texas Foundation will host the third of several statewide open community forums on safe schools.

Safe Schools Forum

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
UTSA Downtown Campus

Durango Building, Southwest Room
San Antonio, TX  78249

Panelists:
Deborah Healy – Director of Guidance & Counseling, Northside ISD

Megan Flowers – Coordinator, No Place for Hate program of the Anti-Defamation League
Marry Libby – Former President, Texas Counseling Association
Ginger Yachinich - Senior, Wagner High School, Judson ISD

Rick Gipprich - Director of Prevention Education & Training, The Rape Crisis Center of San Antonio

Moderator:
Chuck Smith – Deputy Director, Equality Texas Foundation

Parents and students are encouraged to join us for this important open discussion on school safety. 

This forum is presented by Equality Texas Foundation, in collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League, the Texas Civil Rights Project, and the Texas GSA Network – a project of Out Youth.  

Additional Community Forums on Safe Schools are scheduled for El Paso and Dallas/Fort Worth.