Morris County Prosecutor’s Office​ Takes On Bullying In Netcong

NETCONG, NJ — When it comes to halting bullying, one can never start too early. That's why Netcong Elementary School, along with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, is educating students in grades 4 through 8 about the consequences and impacts bullying can have on oneself and others.

According to a release from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri and Detective Supervisor Patrick LaGuerre visited the school on Friday, Feb. 21.

While there, DeNegri and LaGuerre educated students on what constitutes bullying, the possible repercussions of being a bully, online etiquette and the importance of properly reporting bullying.

"It is important to my office that the students of Morris County are properly educated on the dangers of bullying and bias crimes. We believe that all students have the right to attend school each and every day without fear," Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said in a statement.

Bullying is a confounding national problem that affects one in three school children and causes as many as 160,000 kids to stay home from school every day to avoid their bullies. Their grades may suffer, and they may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Kids who are bullied can carry the burden with them throughout their lives, and at more at risk for negative physical school and mental health issues, experts have told Patch as part of a long-running national advocacy reporting project, "The Menace of Bullies."

'The Menace Of Bullies'

Read more about Patch's national advocacy reporting project.