This week's safe schools snippets

Parents say schools blame victim, avoid bully

Parents across the metro area, in different school districts, have similar stories to tell when it comes to the way their children were treated after reporting they were bullied. Watch more in a 7NEWS series on bullying in schools.

After-school program tackles bullying

Laughter fills the gymnasium in a Friday night at Most Precious Blood Catholic School. So do games, snacks and serious conversations. The eighth-grade girls are hosting a slumber party for their younger classmates. Watch the 7NEWS report.

Douglas County Schools responds to bullying report

The Call7 Investigators opened a week of dialogue, stories and call centers to expose the problem of bullying in schools, hold administrators accountable and offer parents support. Watch the 7NEWS report.

Students learn anti-bullying skills starting in kindergarten

Eavesdrop on just about any classroom inside Most Precious Blood Catholic School in Denver and you may hear some funny things. Assistant Principal Roxie Mountain-Weed has the undivided attention of a packed class of third-graders. She’s talking about dropping sugar bombs and even stranger things. Read more on 7NEWS.

Mom demands daughter’s safety

“We got a call that Ashely was running through the halls from room to room hiding. I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ I didn’t understand what they are talking about,” said mother Irene Rockwell. Rockwell said she had no idea her 12-year old daughter Ashely was running away in fear from a classroom bully at Roxborough Intermediate School. Watch 7NEWS.

Teacher accused of threatening students still on leave

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A Sand Creek High School science teacher accused of threatening students is still on leave. Richard Wasserman, 49, was put on paid leave on Jan. 25 after students told police Wasserman threatened to shoot, stab and run them down with his car, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. Watch this 7NEWS report.

Aurora shuffles boosts officer presence at high schools

Police are shuffling the schedules of the city’s school resource officers, a move that will mean a more-regular police presence at area high schools and fewer cops at local middle schools. Read more in the Aurora Sentinel.

School Safety Summit planned

Sen. Steve King invites school staff and the public to the 3rd School Safety Summit at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver, on Friday, March 25. The opening topic will be “Improve Your School with Safety: Cut Costs, Build Public Trust, Boost Academic Achievement.”

Feature presenter will be international school safety expert Michael Dorn, who will show examples from across Colorado and around the country. The event will also feature a forum to discuss objectives, resources, opportunities, and strategies related to new legislation for Interoperable Communications in Schools.

If you plan to be an active participant, notify event organizers before the meeting so that they can give you special seating for the forum.

New federal anti-bullying website announced

Check out StopBullyingNow, a website run by various government agencies. This new site contains valuable resources about bullying awareness, prevention and intervention for kids and adults.

About our First Person series:

First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others trying to improve public education. Read our submission guidelines here.