• Bullying Reporting Procedures

    Bullying of any kind, by any person, is unacceptable. All students should be free from worries about being bullied. Students who bully others must be taught other, appropriate ways of interacting with peers. The purpose of this letter is to provide information concerning the School District’s anti-bullying program and to encourage everyone to help us identify students who are being bullied.

    The District 126 School Board policy on bullying begins with this goals statement:

    Bullying, intimidation, and harassment diminish a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate. Preventing students from engaging in these disruptive behaviors is an important District goal.

    Bullying is defined as follows:

    Bullying means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

    1. Placing the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.
    2. Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.
    3. Substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance.
    4. Substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

    Bullying, intimidation, and/or harassment may take various forms, including without limitation: threats, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, theft, public humiliation, destruction of property, or retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying.

    We asked our school staff members to respond immediately and with compassion to a student who reports bullying or school violence. After evaluating the situation to determine if an immediate referral to an administrative office is needed, a staff member will give the student a Report Form for Bullying and School Violence. Parents will be informed whenever their child is involved in a bullying report.

    We also asked our staff members for their feedback and concerns specifically regarding locations that may be bullying hot spots needing additional supervision or monitoring or if there are any known bullies or targets of bullying in our building. We ask parents/guardians to do the same thing. Please inform us if you know of any bullying hot spots in or around our school, or if you are aware of a known bully or target of bullying.

    Finally, staff members are requested to intervene immediately to stop a bullying incident. They will immediately contact building security and or law enforcement if the incident involves a weapon or other illegal activity.

    Below are some of the signs that a young person is being bullied: 

    • Does not want to go to school and refuses to explain the reason
    • Talks about not having any friends
    • Has unexplained bruises, cuts, scratches, or abrasions
    • Has unexplained damage to clothing, possessions, books, etc.
    • Frequently loses money or possessions
    • Loses interest in school and/or has declining grades
    • Becomes withdrawn and/or has stress or depression symptoms

    These signs do not necessarily mean a student is being bullied, but if present, be sure to ask the student whether he or she is being bullied.

    REPORTING BULLYING

    Please immediately report any concerns that a student shows signs or expresses concerns of being bullied or if bullying is witnessed, to a member of the District 126 administration.  This can be done by phone call, email, or by clicking on the "Anonymous Alerts" link on the school's website.  

    Click here to access a Report Form for Bullying.  Complete the form as soon as possible, providing details of what was observed, and turn it into the administration.  Together, we can all put an end to bullying in our schools.

    Board Policy 7:180 provides details regarding the School Board's policy on Bullying.