PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:           Lori Sitler
Phone:              (302) 577-8314
Pager:               (302) 247-1132
Date:                March 4, 2003

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S WEBSITE NOW INCLUDES INFORMATION ON SCHOOL CRIME REPORTING LAW AND BULLYING RESOURCES

Information will Assist School Administrators and Teachers

            (Wilmington, DE):         Attorney General M. Jane Brady announced at a press conference today at Hanby Middle School in north Wilmington, that her office has recently completed a valuable supplement to its web site to inform school administrators and teachers about Delaware's school crime reporting law and the Department of Justice's own Bully-Prevention program.  

The update to the web site contains a summary of key laws and agreements affecting school personnel including, among others, the school crime reporting law, the child abuse reporting law, the use of force by school employees, and notification to schools of off-campus felony offenses committed by students.

 The web site now also includes Bully-Prevention information, questionnaires and worksheets for use by teachers.  This material is complementary to the information presented by the Attorney General's School Crime Prosecutor and School Ombudsman in their bully-prevention program that is routinely offered in Delaware schools.

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            At this morning's briefing, Robin F. Case, the Associate for School Climate and Discipline from the Delaware Department of Education, emphasized the need to continue the sharing of resources with school districts and the necessity for districts to continue the diligent efforts to keep schools safe and supportive places of learning, "This cooperative effort requires the Department of Education, Department of Justice, local law enforcement and schools to work together in order to be successful."

             Rhonda Denny, the Deputy Attorney General assigned to prosecute school crimes in New Castle County, demonstrated a bullying skit this morning, with the help of two Hanby students, as a backdrop to explain the many resources now available to teachers, parents and students about bully prevention on the website.  Denny commented, "Now, teachers and administrators can go to our website to get the practical information they need regarding school crime and bullying, from bully-prevention worksheets for their classrooms to directions to the Court House." 

            Attorney General Brady commented, "This website is a valuable resource to school administrators and teachers that is easily accessible and user-friendly.  We plan to keep these web pages updated as new laws, programs and policies are adopted as a ready reference for education officials."

            The new material can be reached through the Attorney General's web site at attorneygeneral.delaware.gov.  Select the button on the homepage that reads "For the Teachers".  Other useful information is available for children and parents on the site's "Kid'z Page", also accessible from the Attorney General's homepage.     

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NOTE:  The Department of Education's (DOE) policy on behaviors required to be reported by school districts now includes bullying.  A link to the relevant DOE policy section appears below:

 http://www.state.de.us/research/AdminCode/Education/Education%20Administrative%20Code%20-%20600%20Discipline.htm