Several Countywide Anti-Bullying Workshops to be Held

The Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD), in partnership with all 21 local schools districts, is sponsoring three workshops to address policies regarding bullying in today's schools.

Lisa Swem, an attorney with the Thrun Law Firm, P.C. in Lansing, brings her expertise to Genesee County to speak directly with area educational administrators in the first workshop. Pre-registration is required, and topics to be discussed today include:

• PA241 of 2011 ("Matt's Safe School Law") which enacted Section 1310b of the Revised Schools Code and requires all Michigan school districts, ISDs, and PSAs to have statutorily-compliant anti-bullying policy in pace no later than June 6, 2012
• Legal distinctions between bullying, hazing, and harassment
• Cyberbullying and First Amendment implications

The second opportunity for educational awareness and school district policy updates will occur on March 22, 2012 at GASC's Weekdays Conference Center. Attorney Lisa Schwem will continue her work with the Genesee County Association of School Board Members (GCASBM) and local district superintendents by focusing on cyberbullying.

Then on April 12, 2012, GISD will offer training and information for teachers, counselors and other school staff.