C7M-Accept Recomm Implement Citywide Anti-Bullying Program For 2013-14 School YCOMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, accepting the
recommendation of the Neighborhoods/Community Affairs Committee to authorize the City of Miami Beach
to partner with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Anti-Defamation League to implement a
citywide Anti-bullying program for the 2013-14 school year and authorizing the implementation of the
program as set forth herein.
Key Intended Outcome Supported:
Enhance Learning Opportunities for Youth
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.):
The 2012 Community Satisfaction Survey shows that 91% of residents with children in public schools
are very satisfied or satisfied with our City's public schools compared to 51% in 2007.
Item Summary/Recommendation:
At the February 6, 2013 City Commission meeting, a request was made for discussion regarding the
current policy against bullying and harassment in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) in support
of the City of Miami Beach Education Compact to Enhance Learning Opportunities for Youth The City's
Education Compact with M-DCPS supports the eradication of bullying and harassment in its public schools
and community by providing awareness, prevention and education in promoting a school atmosphere in
which bullying, harassment, and intimidation are not tolerated by students, school board employees,
visitors, or volunteers. The ADL, through the generosity of the Harriet and Jack Rosenfeld Foundation, will
support anti-bullying/cyberbullying trainings required to obtain designation at a cost of $1,200 per school for
the 2013-14 school year for Miami Beach Senior High, South Pointe Elementary, North Beach Elementary,
Biscayne Elementary, and Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center for either 30 students or 35 faculty/staff. The City of
Miami Beach will earn the ADL's prestigious Community of Respect designation by sponsoring Nautilus
Middle School at a cost of $1,200 and by implementing one community-wide event that raises awareness
and/or addresses bullying prevention, diversity, and respect for all at a City-owned facility. The goal of
the community-wide activity is to bring together residents of Miami Beach to support students, teachers,
educations, and parents in creating a safe, peaceful, and respectful community for all via M-DCPS
designated staff and M-DCPS providing the documentary "Bully". Due to the serious content of the film, the
M-DCPS Division of Student Services does have specific recommendations regarding the use of the film in
public schools. As such, the most appropriate audience to view the film is adult (staff, administrators,
parents, and community members) and high school age youth per the M-DCPS Division of Student
Services. Staff from M-DCPS Division of Student Services will be present at this event to provide support
and information regarding bullying and violence prevention efforts being implemented throughout our
District. The Administration recommends the approval of this Resolution.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
Neighborhoods and Community Affairs Committee April 29, 2013 directs administration to reach out to
Nautilus Middle School and Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center to implement the program and sign the ADL
resolution of respect; target the ADL anti-bias activity during the month of October, which is National
Bullying Prevention Month; and seek the endorsement of a sports personality that children will want to see.
Financial Information:
Amount Account
$1,200.00 011-0310-000362
Clerk's Office Le islative Trackin
Leslie Rosenfeld
Si n-Offs:
Department Director
MIAMI BEACH e!.7M
320 DATE 7---/7""/3
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Me
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: July17,2013
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYO AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACC PTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
NEIGHBORHOODS/COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO AUTHORIZE THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH TO PARTNER WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE TO IMPLEMENT A
CITYWIDE ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAM FOR THE 2013-14 SCHOOL YEAR
AND AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM AS SET
FORTH HEREIN.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Resolution.
BACKGROUND
At the February6, 2013 City Commission meeting, a request was made for discussion regarding the
current policy against bullying and harassment in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) in
support of the City of Miami Beach Education Compact to Enhance Learning Opportunities for
Youth. The Education Compact, implemented in January 2008, reflects the desire of the Miami
Beach community to support excellence in the City's public schools and enhance the health and
well-being of our City's youth.
The City's Education Compact with M-D CPS supports the eradication of bullying and harassment in
its public schools and community by providing awareness, prevention and education in promoting a
school atmosphere in which bullying, harassment, and intimidation are not tolerated by students,
school board employees, visitors, or volunteers. The Neighborhood and Community Affairs
Committee recommended the administration reach out to Nautilus Middle School and Fienberg
Fisher K-8 Center through the M-D CPS Division of Student Services to support, in partnership with
M-DCPS, the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) No Place for Hate® Program with the intent of each
City public school receiving the applicable designation for the 2013-14 school year. M-DCPS
supports public schools becoming No Place for Hate® schools.
The ADL, through the generosity of the Harriet and Jack Rosenfeld Foundation, will support anti-
bullying/cyberbullying trainings required to obtain designation at a cost of $1,200 per school for the
2013-14 school year for Miami Beach Senior High, South Pointe Elementary, North Beach
Elementary, Biscayne Elementary, and Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center for either 30 students or 35
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Page 2 Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission accepting the recommendation of the
Neighborhoods and Community Affairs Committee authorizing Anti-Bullying Program
faculty/staff. The City of Miami Beach will earn the ADL's prestigious Community of Respect
designation by sponsoring Nautilus Middle School at a cost of $1,200 and implement one
community-wide event that raises awareness and/or addresses bullying prevention, diversity, and
respect for all at a City-owned facility.
The goal of the community-wide activity is to bring together residents of Miami Beach to support
students, teachers, educations, and parents, in creating a safe, peaceful, and respectful community
for all via M-DCPS designated staff and M-DCPS and will include the showing of the documentary
"Bully". Directed by Sundance and filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, "Bully" is a cinematic, character-driven
documentary. "Bully" follows five kids and families over the course of a school year. Stories include
two families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old
daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus. With an intimate
glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias, and principal's offices, the film offers insight into the
often cruel world of the lives of bullied children.
The "Bully" film was filmed and depicts stories of particular students as they live and are educated in
a school system that did NOT have an Anti-Bullying Policy or State Law contrary to the State of
Florida and M-DCPS. On June 10, 2008, the Legislature passed House Bill 669, the Jeffrey
Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act. This act requires that all Florida districts adopt a policy
prohibiting bullying and harassment of students and staff on school grounds, at school-sponsored
events, and through computer networks.
The film does document and vividly depicts losses due to school violence and suicide. Due to the
serious content of the film, the Division of Student Services does have specific recommendations
regarding the use of the film in public schools. As such, the most appropriate audience to view the
film is adult (staff, administrators, parents, and community members) and high school age youth, per
M-DCPS Division of Student Services. Staff from MDCPS-Division of Student Services will be
present at this event to provide support and information regarding bullying and violence prevention
efforts being implemented throughout our District.
The City will work with M-DCPS in scheduling this activity which will take place on or around the
month of October at a City owned facility and will include a panel discussion after the showing of the
video "Bully". The City will also reach out to local sports personalities to support this initiative and
encourage community participation.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends the approval of this Resolution. This approval will assist the
Department in accomplishing its measurable objectives linked to the City's Key Intended Outcome of
Enhancing Learning Opportunities for Youth.
~LDR
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RESOLUTION TO BE SUBMITTED
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