State Senate Passes Safe Schools Package

The following announcement is from State Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville, Medford):

Two bills to ban bullying, promote healthy foods in Mass. Schools

The Senate advanced measures last week for two bills that will ban bullying and upgrade nutritional standards in Massachusetts public schools.

“Children are our Commonwealth’s most valuable resource,” said Sen. Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville). “It is imperative to ensure that children are nurtured and protected in our public schools.”

The anti-bullying bill requires all school districts, charter schools and non-public schools to develop prevention and intervention plans by December 31, 2010 that include procedures for investigating bullying incidents, notifying parents and determining appropriate disciplinary actions.

“Bullying is a real and serious problem, but it is one that can be stopped,” said Sen. Jehlen. “Schools need to be a safe environment for all children, and this bill will take steps toward ending cycles of bullying. The bill also seeks to build camaraderie among students. This is a very important step to strengthening our school system as a whole.”

The bill requires school principals to notify local law enforcement of bullying incidents if there is reason to believe criminal charges may be pursued. It also allows Individualized Education Programs for children with special needs to include provisions that will help them handle and respond to incidents of bullying. The bullying ban extends to all school facilities, school-sponsored functions, school buses and bus stops.

The Senate also passed a bill establishing new nutritional standards in schools to address the problem of childhood obesity in the Commonwealth. Food and beverages in school cafeterias, vending machines and other locations in public schools separate from federal meal programs must be in compliance.

“Healthy foods are a gift that we can give our children,” said Sen. Jehlen. “Many students eat the majority of their meals at school and we need to make sure that cafeterias are using quality ingredients and that the standard is set high. It’s time to not only make these healthy options available to students, but to educate them in making the right decisions for the rest of their lives.”

The standards, to be implemented by the 2012-13 school year, will be developed by the Department of Public Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and include requirements for the availability of free drinking water, fresh fruits and vegetables, and nutritional information for non-packaged foods. The use of deep fryers is banned.

The bill now goes back to the House of Representatives for further action.