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Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Reminder: Debbie Johnston invited you to join Facebook...
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Check out my photos on Facebook
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saferschools - 1 new message in 1 topic - abridged
SaferSchools
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* Video SEX online? - 1 new
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Video SEX online? - 1 new
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My name is Inga Marley, I am a girl 21 years old. Today I feel inclined to
have sex. Or at least sex video chat! Im here, someone wants to see me? [link]
- Wed, Sep 30 2009 11:30 am
1 message, 1 author
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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
saferschools - 1 new message in 1 topic - abridged
SaferSchools
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Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T - Mon, Sep 28 2009 2:21 am
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
saferschools - 2 new messages in 2 topics - abridged
SaferSchools
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* See $Money$ come in like clock ,easy money while you sleep... - 1 new
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See $Money$ come in like clock ,easy money while you sleep... - 1 new
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See $Money$ come in like clock .WORK FROM HOME! easy money while you sleep... [
link] - Sun, Sep 27 2009 11:17 am
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Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T - Mon, Sep 28 2009 2:21 am
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
Back-to-School
Thank you to all the parents and kids that stopped by our table today to learn more about Jeff's Law, and how we can help make our schools BULLY FREE for all students! There were several questions about how to get a workshop or program going in your school, and how to support the efforts of Students for Safer Schools. Today was all about getting kids thinking about what they can do to end bullying in their school, and how they can enjoy all the benefits of social networking while still staying safe from predators and cyber-bullies. I am so glad that we could help get the word out about Safe Wave and iLand5 because they have sure come up with a great way to provide even young kids with a safe way to network with their friends online without having their parents freak out about all the risks! While we really weren't set up to schedule events or take donations today, educating kids, parents, and schools is extremely important to us. There is no doubt that it takes money to accomplish even the most worthy goals, and we depend on the generosity of the community to help us get the job done. If you would like to inquire about setting up a workshop for your school or organization, please email me at sfsscc@msn.com or jeffreyjohnstonlaw@msn.com. If you would like to donate to our cause you can find a link to Paypal here on our site. Thank you again for your love and support. Together, we CAN change the world...
Friday, August 7, 2009
Internet Hoaxing Mother returns to the web
A judge has granted permission for Lori Drew, the Missouri mother whose cruel internet hoax lead to the suicide of 13-year-old Megan Meier, to go back online now that her conviction was overturned. While I am a firm believer in the right to free speech, I also think that there must be some limitations when it comes to the use of technology. We cannot abdicate our personal responsibilities just because we sit behind a keyboard; anymore than we can allow carte blanche when behind the wheel of a car. There is a tremendous difference between an accident, and an intentional act. This distinction is made all the time in accidents involving a motor vehicle. Hitting a child that dashes into the street, while a tragedy, is not a criminal offense. If a person chooses to speed through a residential neighborhood after downing a pint of gin, however, it is a totally different story. I am very thankful that the state of Florida has chosen to pass legislation that recognizes that there are people that will use the internet or other forms of technology for malicious purposes; and have made these acts a crime! I only wish that the rest of the country will wise up, and pass laws to protect the innocent from acts that serve no purpose other than to terrorize or humiliate another human being. 
Saturday, August 1, 2009
FASA Conference
I attended the Florida Association of School Administrators Leadership Conference this past week, and it has inspired me to get back to the business of safer schools. The President of FASA challenged all of the participants to get involved in the political process, and made the very real observations that "If the educators of Florida could all come together in support of on issue, it could not fail because there is no larger or more powerful group anywhere in the state." I felt like he was talking directly to me...
Monday, April 20, 2009
Take a moment today to remember...
It has been awhile since we talked, but now that I am no longer frantically trying to get Jeff's Bill through the Senate I have time to reflect on the loss that so many others sustained that terrible day in April at Columbine High School. While there can be no excuse for the acts of violence carried out that day, their can be some insights gained and lessons learned from the knowledge that has come to light in the years since. Teachers and administrators MUST be vigilant in the protection of all students, and lawmakers must all educators to use common sense when it comes to decisions concerning students that raise red flags through things written in class and through the use of technology. Parents MUST put pride aside and heed the warnings of professionals when a child displays symptoms of suicide, depression, or violence. Communities MUST make access to professional mental health care for anyone that needs it a priority, and support those that choose to seek help rather than shunning them like they had done something shameful. Above all, we must demand more from ourselves as parents, and our children as human beings. It is up to the adults to set the standard for acceptable behavior, and as long as we are willing to tolerate violence, disrespect, and foul language from our role models, it seems unlikely we will be able to eliminate these from our schools. The best way strategy I can think of for raising good kids, is to teach by example. I pray that the students that pass through my classes will learn that there are positive ways to deal with pain, anger, and frustration. These are the emotions that my precious son lived with for three years, and he never raised his fist much less a weapon, in retaliation. These are the emotions I have lived with since the bully targeted Jeff as an outlet for those same emotions. How much different all our lives might be today if the school had been empowered to act in time to save my son! Let us NEVER lose sight of the consequences of witnessing evil, and allowing it to continue.
It also seems like an appropriate time to thank the media for the wonderful job they do in telling the stories of the victims and the loved ones whose lives will be forever changed. I know that it cannot be easy to listen to the stories, dry the tears, and relate the facts that are painful just to hear, much less speak of. To all those journalists that I have spoken to these past years, I want to say that you have done the job with compassion, and you have done it with heart. While "America Bashing" may be the current fad with many people, I think they should remember that this is one of the few countries where we have the freedom to speak out about what we feel is wrong. Where there is injustice, we have a strategy for making it right. There cannot be too much bad in a country where a heartbroken and disillusioned fifteen-year-old is given a voice; even after his death. You did that for my Jeffrey, and because of the dedication of the media in telling his story, we have a better chance of avoiding future tragedies like the shooting at Columbine. I have been invited back to Washington D.C. again in May to share Jeff's story at a National Summit on Suicide Prevention, and once more, I will be meeting with members of Congress to ask for their help in passing federal legislation that will extend this protection to ALL children. In June, a film crew from the UK will be traveling to Cape Coral to film a documentary about Jeff for the BBC. Because of your contribution, Jeff's dream of making the world a better place is slowly becoming a reality. As you go about your work today, please know that the community is YOUR classroom, and the lessons you teach are just as important as anything our children will learn in school today. It wouldn't hurt to toss in a reminder to "pay it forward," and help make the world a better place for everyone.
Hugs, Debbie Johnston (Jeff's Mom)
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A Call to Arms...
I have been sadly negligent in blogging in the months since Jeff's Law was passed in Florida. A part of me was relieved that life could return to some semblance of order, but I also knew that I would miss working with all the wonderful people that helped make Jeff's dream a reality. After a relatively quiet year while the worsening economy took precedence over other troubles, I am receiving a number of disturbing emails about cases of bullying from all over the state. It seems that it is back to business as usual in a lot of places, and this just isn't acceptable! It isn't enough just to have a law, we have to hold our schools, our teachers, and our students to that standard every day of the year! As yourself what you can do to raise awareness and keep Jeff's memory alive in your school... Then go out there and do it, and let the rest of us hear about it!
Hugs, Debbie
Hugs, Debbie
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
What a Wonderful World We Live In...
Bless you, People Magazine, for keeping Jeff's dream alive, and giving it the wings to fly to the national level! To everyone that has visited the website, thank you for taking time to care about the injustice of what was done to our sweet, sweet boy. At a time when so many of his classmates are headed off to college, or just starting their lives in the real world, it is good to have something to hold on to! If you are one of the many that have sent an email of encouragement or written to share your own story, please be patient with me. Reading and responding to everyone takes time, but each is special in its own way and I am trying to put as much thought into my response as the writer put into theirs. Please know that they are greatly appreciated, and that I will get back to everyone as quickly as I can. Bless you all... Debbie
Monday, September 8, 2008
If you are asking yourself "How can I Help?"
I am positively pink at all the attention the article in People Magazine has received, and would like to thank everyone that has taken the time to write an email of support. It hardly seems fair to be singled out for "hero" status, when there are so many friends, colleagues, and supporters that have held me up every step of the way. Even more amazing are the people that never knew Jeff, but reached out to comfort those of us who have mourned him these past three years. You are the true heroes, and I thank God for you every day.
For those of you that have come to this site because you were moved by our story and wondered what you can do to help support the cause of eliminating bullying from the daily life of a child, please consider making a donation to our Pay Pal account. Your gift is not sent to some corporation where 90% of it goes to cover the cost of professional fundraisers. It goes to pay for gas, hotels, food, or airfare to send one more kid to Congress to explain what school is like when the "terrorist" sits in the desk behind yours, eats in the same lunchroom, and pursues you even into the virtual world of technology. We will never eliminate weapons in school until we eliminate the reasons why children feel they will make it safely through the day without them! Be part of the solution...
Hugs,
Debbie
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Article in People Magazine...
I just wanted to give everyone a "heads-up" about the article (Heroes Among Us page 150) in this week's issue of People Magazine on Jeff and the law. I think we finally have a shot at national legislation, and this type of exposure certainly helps, and we definitely know that "people" are aware of how hard we worked to get this passed.
Hugs,
Debbie
Friday, August 8, 2008
FDOE MODEL POLICY
The Florida Department of Education has done a great job! Now it is up to all of us to ensure that these changes are implemented... Here are the links to the model policy listed below. For more information, you can contact is Brooks Rumenik at Safe and Drug Free Schools. Their office stands ready to address any and all questions that may arise concerning this new legislation. You can email them directly at <Brooks.Rumenik@fldoe.org> or call their main office number at (850-245-0416).
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Someone is posting where they don't belong...
You may have noticed that every so often, a blog comes up on our site that does not come from me, but says that it has been posted by Students for Safer Schools. Please know that anything
I post to our official site will be limited to information on the recently passed Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, upcoming activities, or updates on new legislation. If someone
wishes to add a post to the blog, please send it directly to me at jeffreyjohnstonlaw@msn.com for review. The blog feature is to be used specifically for discussion purposes or comments. We
will remove all inappropriate material or advertising.
Hugs,
Debbie
I post to our official site will be limited to information on the recently passed Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, upcoming activities, or updates on new legislation. If someone
wishes to add a post to the blog, please send it directly to me at jeffreyjohnstonlaw@msn.com for review. The blog feature is to be used specifically for discussion purposes or comments. We
will remove all inappropriate material or advertising.
Hugs,
Debbie
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