What is the Calcasieu Parish School Board’s view on bullying in schools? Do the schools talk to the students about bullying?

What, specifically, is being done by the Calcasieu Parish School Board to ensure a “no bullying tolerance” policy at each school?

Sabra Soileau, the school system’s Positive Behavior Support coordinator, said officials are revising their bullying policy.

The Legislature last year passed a law that requires school districts to review their student codes of conduct to ensure they clearly address the effects and consequences of bullying.

Additionally, it mandates the introduction of new practices. Among them is a four-hour annual training session on bullying that must be attended by all school employees.

According to the law, the course must address the following:

How to recognize bullying.

How to identify students “who are most likely to become victims of bullying, while not excluding any student from protection from bullying.”

Techniques for intervention and remediation.

How to report bullying to school officials.

“Information on suicide prevention, including the relationship between suicide risk factors and bullying.”

Soileau said officials in each school will review the no-bullying policy with students during the first week of school, and then each child will receive a written copy of the policy.

“In addition to the new policy, guidelines, and procedures, the Calcasieu Parish School Board is encouraging schools to hold ‘no bullying’ rallies, anti-bullying assemblies, the integration of information regarding bullying into curriculum, and supporting students who take a pledge to stand against bullying,” she wrote in an email.

“The Calcasieu Parish School Board plans to promote more anti-bullying school-sponsored activities and educational opportunities in the future.”

Online: www.cpsb.org.

Law mandates tests after fatal crashes

In the paper on Wednesday, Feb. 20, there were two accidents, with both of them investigated by state police Sgt. James Anderson. One accident involved an 18-wheel truck, and one involved a train.

Neither the driver of the truck nor the train engineer were reported to be in the wrong. The truck driver had to provide a sample for toxicology testing, but a toxicology sample was not required for the train engineer. Why? Both were operating movable equipment.

“Louisiana state law requires law enforcement officers to administer chemical test(s) for impairment whenever a fatal crash is investigated,” Anderson wrote in an email.

“The crash involving the 18-wheeler resulted in a fatality. The crash involving the train did not.”

The law in question is R.S. 32:681.

Online: www.legis.state.la.us.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com

(mgnonline.com)