Schools

D47 Looks at New Ways to Address Bullying

District 47 administrators continue to look for new ways to prevent bullying and promote safe environments in schools.

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CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — District 47, like most schools throughout the suburbs, has taken a firm anti-bullying stance and zero tolerance policy toward acts that threaten its students ability to learn and grow in a safe environment. Patch.com has reached out to suburban administrators across the suburbs in recent weeks with the hopes of getting a better sense of how schools are dealing with bullies and those who are bullied.

District 47, like many school districts throughout the suburbs, has enacted a school board-approved policy that lays out procedures school officials should take if a bullying incident is reported. The policy, which was first adopted in 2010 and revised in 2017, spells out what the school district considers inappropriate behavior and also provides specific contacts at each school, mainly assistant principals or social workers, where a victim can turn if he or she needs help.

Even with a lengthy policy in place, every incident and its surrounding circumstances are examined on a case-by-case basis, said communications director Denise Barr. And all reports of bullying are taken seriously. Some also result in an investigation.

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"Each situation is looked at individually and numerous factors are considered. As a result, discipline does not follow a simple 'if this, then that' protocol," Barr said.

And students within the district have been stepping up to report alleged incidents of harassment and threatening behavior. As of Oct. 1, two incidents of bullying have been reported, Barr said. Last school year, 22 total incidents were brought to administrators attention.

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The first step a student should take is to report the bullying "promptly" to an administrator.

"All school employees are required to notify the principal or school administrator or his or her designee of the report of the incident of bullying as soon as possible after the report is received. Anonymous complaints may be directed to the building principals, however, formal disciplinary action will not be permitted solely on the basis of the anonymous report," according to the school district's policy on preventing bullying, intimidation and harassment. The full policy can be found on District 47's website.

What is District 47 Doing to Prevent Bullying?

The Crystal Lake-based elementary school district teaches a minimum of 20 minutes of social emotional learning each week across all grade levels, which is in accordance with Illinois Learning Standards, Barr said.

For middle school students, that could mean extended learning time, which the district refers to as Middle school XLT. The 30-minute class for sixth to eighth grade students provides "academic enrichment, interventions and supports, as well as social-emotional learning opportunities and executive functioning (organizational) skills." XLT is fairly new, still, and was implemented during the 2018-19 school year at all D47 middle schools.

Also, a newly adopted practice brought to the district last school year are restorative circles.

"'Circles' are facilitated discussions led by the teacher with students seated in a circle facing one another," Barr said. "Circles are a restorative practice implemented in the 2018-19 school year across all grade levels and schools to teach students interpersonal skills, empathy and conflict resolution."

Anti-bullying messages are also incorporated through literacy time and books for elementary students. In addition, the district offers Project B3, which stands for Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Kind and is a student-led program that promotes online safety and digital citizenship for students in grades 3 to 8.

Lastly, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports or PBIS, is a student behavioral support program that provides a universal framework for behavior expectations both inside and outside the classroom for all grade levels.

"The program provides incentives for students who lead and model appropriate and positive behavior," Barr said.

How Does District 47 Help Those Who Are Bullied?

As is the case with discipline tactics for bullies within the school district, administrators look at each individual case and consider numerous factors when looking at how to help those who have been bullied.

"As a result, restorative justice and assistance or supports do not follow a simple 'if this, then that' protocol,'" Barr said.

In addition, District 47 actively promotes the MCHELP app to students and parents as a way to report a variety of concerns, such as bullying, anxiety, depression or self-harm. These concerns can be relayed anonymously via text 24/7 to licensed mental health providers in McHenry County.

Within District 47, the school board is tasked with reviewing and updating, when necessary, it’s bullying policy every two years.

The Menace Of Bullies: Patch Advocacy Reporting Project

As part of a national reporting project, Patch has been looking at society's roles and responsibilities in bullying and a child's unthinkable decision to end their own life in hopes we might offer solutions that save lives.

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