Harford County Public Schools announced recently it has launched a new page on its website, hcps.org, that will focus on awareness and communication on cybersafety and cyberbullying.
"In response to the ever-increasing trend of cyberbullying facing our students today, now is the time to address cybersafety issues and forge partnerships with parents to increase awareness, so we can work together to protect and guide our children," Harford Superintendent Robert Tomback said in a school system news release,
In February 2011, at Tomback's request, a team was created to review that policy "to ensure that cyberbullying is adequately addressed and to create a Cybersafety Awareness campaign," according to the release.
That team included representatives from the Harford County Sheriff's Office, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Harford County Government Office of Drug Control Policy, the Harford County Boys and Girls Clubs, the Harford County Council Parent Teacher Association and numerous HCPS offices.
In December, Harford's Board of Education voted to add the term "cyberbullying" to the title and to the description of the school's bullying, harassment or intimidation policy, recognizing the growing issue of cyberbullying across the country.
In addition to the new page on the HCPS website, the campaign to create awareness also includes parent surveys, mailed brochures, professional development for staff at each school and an event, currently being planned, on cybersafety and cyberbullying for parents, community members, law enforcement and school staff and administrators.
The access the new webpage, visit http://www.hcps.org/cybersafety.