Laurel: To seeing the problem. When you talk about bullying and programs to address it, the scope is generally broad.

The instinct is to talk to the whole school or the whole class. You want to tell bullies not to bully. You want to tell the bystanders to speak up and say something.

What often gets lost is that sometimes “bullying” isn’t active. It’s exclusion. It’s a kid who eats alone every day in the cafeteria because no one wants to see them.

Emma Kobelenske knows the importance of supporting these outsiders. Today she is a 23-year-old about to graduate from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies. Ten years ago, she was a just a kid whose muscle disorder made her walk sideways.

In 2020, she started a nonprofit, “Your Friend, E,” reaching out to kids who weren’t included, sending them care packages and coordinating events. For two years, her studies have kept the nonprofit from being a priority. She wants to bring back the outreach, starting with a January crafting event.

Kobelenske’s understanding of what these kids go through is not just a window to seeing them. It’s a door to invite them in.

Lance: To political petulance. Sometimes words can be mistaken. For example, “affect” is about influence; “effect” is about outcome. The principal runs the school; principles are taught in class.

Perhaps that is what is happening in Norwin School District. Perhaps board member Alex Detschelt is confused about the difference between the words “censor” and “censure.”

Censoring is a restriction on speech or ideas. Detschelt might remember this as he attempted to censor a book in 2023 and stop use of a CNN-produced news program in 2022.

Censuring is an expression of disapproval. That’s what the Norwin board voted to do after Detschelt published a blog tirade against five board members who won in 2023 over a slate he supported. The board found the post inappropriate and voted to say so officially.

Detschelt’s federal suit claims the board and six individual board members retaliated against his free speech with the censure.

The board never censored Detschelt, which would be inappropriate for a government body. What they did is the same thing Congress has done to elected officials of both parties for statements or actions deemed unacceptable.

Censure is not censorship. It does not take back words. It muzzles no one. It is a highly transparent statement of position taken in an open vote.

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