WHEREAS, Bullying and violence in the city's public schools have been a persistent problem over the years, and that more recently, have targeted immigrant students from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean and have also targeted gay and lesbian students; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania requires School Districts in the state to have anti-bullying policies and to name a person to whom complaints can be made; and
WHEREAS, Since January, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations has been holding hearings following violence at South Philadelphia High that targeted immigrant students from Asia; and
WHEREAS, One witness who is also a member of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, testified that she had been a victim of teasing and bullying while in school and that cultural insensitivity on the part of District officials caused her to be labeled a behavior problem and to be kicked out of several schools; and
WHEREAS, Studies indicate that more than a half million students nationwide, or seventeen percent of students beyond second grade, were bullied two or three times a month over a period of several months; and
WHEREAS, A District official testified that while the District's recently adopted Anti-Bullying Policy is a good start, it lacks systematic implementation; and
WHEREAS, Experts report that the incidence of bullying goes down significantly, only when schools implement consistent, well-organized, long term programs; now therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, That the Philadelphia City Council Calls on the Council Committee on Education to Hold Hearings on Bullying and Violence in the City's Schools including the Targeting of Immigrant Students from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean and the Targeting of Students Based on Sexual Orientation and Steps Taken by District Officials to Address Bullying and Violence when they Occur.
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