Morris County Prosecutor’s Office visits Green Hills School to talk about bias, bullying
NEWTON, NJ (Sussex County) – Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri and Sergeant Patrick LaGuerre last week visited the middle school students of Green Hills School in Newton, and lead a presentation on bias issues, cyber harassment and making smart choices about social media.
The presenters stressed exercising good judgement when it comes to how you interact with others or what you post on social media, because how you conduct yourself online could potentially impact your future. Social media and technology today document everything, even photos and messages you believe are deleted or only temporary can be accessed and potentially shared after being deleted.
SAP DeNegri and Sgt. LaGuerre explained the difference between bias crimes and bias incidents, walking students through the reporting and investigation process. They explained that school administrators can choose to take disciplinary action even if an incident isn’t considered criminal.
Students were able to ask questions of the presenters during and after the program.
The MCPO routinely conducts presentations at schools throughout Morris County to present on these important topics, and to talk directly with students. Last month, Sgt. LaGuerre and SAP DeNegri visited Byram Lakes Intermediate School and Copeland Middle School.
“Students today are growing up in a very connected digital world. It’s the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s goal to enable our students to make smart choices about how they interact online and in school and especially identify the often significant negative consequences that can occur by hurtful comments or behaviors,” Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said.
