Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
A recent Eyewitness News series of reports on schoolyard bullying should be a wakeup call for administrators, teachers and parents throughout Utah. 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.According to a veteran prosecutor who saw the video, adults would be criminally charged with battery and assault for such unlawful behavior.
The intent of the stories was not to point fingers, but to raise community awareness. Let the disturbing images stir concern about such blatant bullying . . . and let it lead to action. Let it be discussed in PTA meetings, at teacher conferences and especially in the home. Indeed, let all who should be concerned consider what is being done at each school, in every community to curtail such alarming behavior. Is it enough? Could they be doing more?
As reported, experts say immediate adult intervention is the first step to stopping bullying before it gets out of hand. In KSL’s view, our children deserve to learn and play in environments that are safe. A more conscientious and resolute effort must be made to lessen the potential for anything else.
