Internet List Causes Parental Concern

Several Hammarskjold Middle School parents are alarmed about a list found on the internet this month titled “Annoying People We Are Going to Hurt!!!”

Posted at makealist.com, the list was allegedly made by five students that attend Hammarskjold, and includes 122 students, teachers and parents. In a few cases, there are descriptions about why the person was included on the list, and it even accuses several boys as being the “boyfriend” of other males on the list.

Superintendent Jo Ann Magistro said the “incident” occurred while the students were at home, not in school, and that parents reported it to police. She said the district isn’t even sure if the students listed as its authors actually made it. She also said the district will allow the East Brunswick Police Department to conclude its investigation before rushing to any conclusions.

East Brunswick has an extensive anti-bullying program with specialists assigned to each school. Anti-bullying campaigns are commonplace in schools. District schools establish, implement and document bullying prevention programs every year as well as other initiatives involving staff, students, administrators, volunteers, parents, law enforcement and community members.

According to the East Brunswick School District website: “The East Brunswick School District Board of Education prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying of a pupil.  A safe and civil environment in school is necessary for pupils to learn and achieve high academic standards.  Harassment, intimidation, or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a pupil’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its pupils in a safe and disciplined environment.  Since pupils learn by example, school administrators, faculty, staff and volunteers should be commended for demonstrating appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation, or bullying.”

For more on the district's antibullying program and for resources to help prevent it, click HERE.

For information on cyberbullying and what you can do about it, visit the National Crime Prevention Council's website, HERE.