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Resolutions coming out of the legislature may not be binding, but they can certainly send important messages. Such is the case with SCR 1 - a resolution encouraging a more cohesive statewide approach to dealing with the perplexing problem of schoolyard bullying.
You may recall a series of Eyewitness News reports about a year ago on schoolyard bullying. Over a period of days, KSL's cameras focused on schools, randomly chosen, in three different districts. KSL documented more than 90 incidents of bullying on the playgrounds at nine of the ten schools observed.
The reports stirred widespread community concern.
Since the airing, the Utah State Board of Education formalized a statewide plan for dealing with schoolyard violence and aggressive bullying. And many schools are already engaged in efforts to prevent bullying.
The legislative resolution continues the momentum.
As stated in the resolution, "it is long past time for society . . . to acknowledge that bullying is not some sort of right of passage to be simply ignored or tolerated.
Along with the legislature, KSL urges the education community to continue to work together to more effectively address the issue, to better identify and assist victims, and to get help for perpetrators, with the goal of making Utah's schools safe havens for learning.
