For Immediate Release                   
January 8, 2009

Contact: Nancy Parello, (609) 777-3479 or (609) 954-5347

NJ Commission on Bullying in Schools to Host Three Public Hearings

TRENTON – The New Jersey Commission on Bullying in Schools has scheduled three public hearings on the effectiveness of current bullying laws and policies.

All three hearings will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the following dates:

  • Jan. 28,  Lincoln High School, 60 Crescent Avenue, Jersey City
  • Feb. 18,  Lawrence High School, 2525 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville
  • Feb. 25,  Gloucester County College, Tanyard Road, Sewell, NJ, Health Sciences Building, Room 500

    "New Jersey is a state that takes bullying seriously and has made sincere efforts to address the problem,” said Commission Chairman Dr. Stuart Green, a clinical educator at Overlook Hospital and founder of the NJ Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention.  “However, bullied and vulnerable children need even stronger support and protection. We must do more. 

    “We encourage parents, teachers and other interested parties to attend the hearings to express their concerns and offer solutions for improving the safety of all New Jersey children,” Green added. “Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear testimony from experts in related fields, including child development and behavior.”

    The New Jersey Commission on Bullying in Schools was created by the Legislature and Governor Jon S. Corzine in 2007 and is charged with recommending ways to strengthen New Jersey's approach to the problem of bullying in schools. The Commission expects to issue a report in July.

    The Commission consists of 14 members representing educational, clinical, advocacy, academic and public entities, including representatives from the Department of Education and the Division on Civil Rights.

    The Commission was created through an amendment to New Jersey’s bully law, which mandates that public school districts adopt harassment and bullying prevention policies and requires the Commission to hold public hearings on the issue.

    Each public hearing location will be accessible to people with disabilities. Preregistration is strongly recommended for those who wish to testify at the hearings. To preregister, request assistance with language interpretation or hearing facilitation or submit written testimony outside of the public hearings, please contact the New Jersey Office of the Child Advocate, P.O. Box 092, Trenton, NJ 08625, (609) 984-1188, bullycommission@childadvocate.state.nj.us. 

Download the flyer for distribution to your community. 
Department of the Public Advocate