Public Invited to Cyberbullying "Road" Hearing

Public Invited to Cyberbullying "Road" Hearing

As the state continues myriad approaches examining cyberbullying and cyberthreat issues, the public is invited to testify before a special Senate commission dedicated to the cause when the panel meets in North Providence later this week. GoLocalProv.com reported on a seminar held last month by David Kane, Esq., founder of the Center for Education Law, Policy and Practices located at the East Bay Educational Collaborative in Warren, and the airing of the most recent “road” hearing of the study commission. This week’s gathering will be the third “road” hearing, chaired by Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Smithfield), who sponsored the bill (2010-S 2871A) that created the panel earlier this year which has already held sessions in Smithfield and Cranston.

Taking on the Challenge

Cyberbullying involves the use of various forms of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated and hostile behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm others. It may be simple, such as continuing to email someone who has said they want no further contact, or it can include threats, sexual remarks or posting false statements as fact intended to humiliate someone. In addition to the week's public testimony, the agenda for the North Providence hearing includes commentary by North Providence School Superintendent Donna Ottaviano, Ed.D.; North Providence High School principal Joseph Goho and assistant principals Christine Magill and Wayne Talbot; District Coordinator for the Anti-bullying Task Force Tonianne Moniz, assistant principal of Birchwood Middle School; Sojourner House program director Kate Reilly; Birchwood Middle School students; Peter and Debbie Michalenka.

The hearing will be held Thursday, December 2, from 6-8pm in the library at North Providence High School, 1828 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence.