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Bullying In Skokie Schools: Here's What Parents Are Saying

Local parents responded to a Patch survey about bullying and efforts to prevent it in Skokie public school districts.

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SKOKIE, IL — Bullying prevention programs in Skokie public schools received mixed reviews in an informal survey of Patch readers. The unscientific sampling of self-identified respondents who said their children attend local schools provided anecdotal feedback about how parents feel administrators are doing in countering the menace of bullying in elementary and high schools in Skokie.

In Skokie School District 68, one parent said bullying creates a less unified school. Bullying "doesn't get addressed" unless it is reported by a student. Another parent in the district said bullying has led to lower self-esteem, racism and anti-Semitism in the district.

"I think they don't give credence to relational bullying amongst girls," the respondent said.

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A parent in Skokie/Morton Grove School District 69 who said the district's discipline policy was "too light" said that when teachers are made aware of bullying they take action by bringing it up and discussing it.

"Parents should be informed when bullying is happening," the respondent recommended.

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Several responses from families in Fairview School District 72 said families have moved away, leaving the district or choosing to homeschool due to bullying.

One parent said their child had been bullied for months — including having books knocked down in class multiple times a day and being called names — but principals and teachers claimed to be unaware. The elementary school principal left and the middle school principal tried to help, but the behavior continued, according to the respondent.

Superintendent very skilled at giving parents tasks instead of taking responsibility to to make school policies solid. I was asked to document former schools recognition program and to work on the new family orientation program when I came to discuss bullying issue. New in 2019 elementary principle (2nd in 3 years) is being trained by the former principle that retired multiple years ago. Bottom line most policies at Fairview are unclear, unpublished and misunderstood by administrators, teachers, parents and kids. Other examples that administration leadership is lacking skill set is that even school policies that aren't as gray as defining bullying: new family orientation and gifted program requirements. Superintendent is skilled at talking people down from the ledges and public appearances. Not up to task of implementing others.

The District 72 board and administration "turn a blind eye and the teachers are not supported," describing its anti-bullying prevention and discipline as "non-existent," another parent said.

"Listen to the parents. Address issues as they happen. Stop pretending like it doesn’t exist," they recommended.

Survey respondents in East Prairie School District 73 said the district is now implementing social-emotional learning policies. One said previous policies had been "incomplete and ineffective" but was hopeful a new administration could implement better policies.

"We did changed administrations last year, and i think that will have a big impact on addressing bullying. But also I think being open and honest about it happening is key, and appropriate level of consequences for the bully are also very important," the respondent said. "Simple suspension does not teach the bully why his/her behavior has such a big impact. Meaningful consequences like being made to admit to the behavior in a group and listen while the victim shares the impact have been shown to be a more effective strategy."

Parents in Skokie School District 73.5 described troubling responses by administrators to reports of bullying.

"Bullying was addressed by asking the pupils to make a list of class bullies. They were given about a week to compile the lists. During the week, the children sometimes used the lists as leverage to threaten other students with being named on the the list, or, in other words, by trying to coerce, frighten and intimidate, or, in short, bully others," in one case. In another, a parent said administrators were told a child was struck with a metal thermos on the sidewalk after school and nothing was done. The parent said their child had been bullied in the school building with staff present, with their property destroyed while surrounded by other pupils.

"In all cases, the behavior continued, and the school's responses probably just helped demonstrate that school really is a dangerous place, where anyone can be accused and bullied on the basis of innuendo only," the parent said.

Their child became depressed, anxious and suicidal and now avoids areas surrounding District 73.5 schools "out of fear of encountering the grown staff and administration bullies whose only response when asked to help make school a safe place for everyone was 'Thank you,' and that advisory time provides opportunities to talk."

The respondent said former classmates yelled racial slurs at their child and that their advocacy and intervention in the district had led to a diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I also suspect other negative effects, including that the bullies' social development has likely been stunted. With a a lack of guidance and models of good treatment of others, they may be at risk of ending up involved in unhappy, abusive relationships as adults, which, of course, could just cause the bullying to continue," they added.

In Niles Township High School District 219, reviews of anti-bullying policies and discipline ranged from "good," to "OK but I don't think it is often executed," to "useless," to "unacceptable."

"There ought to be mandatory seminars that parents must attend. The problem starts at home with the values parents aren't teaching," one respondent said.

Bullying in the district has led to "self-esteem issues, cutting, eating disorders, depression, but also there have been kids who have cried wolf when they really weren't bullied," according to the parent. "This is a trend and a very negative impact."

District 219 was the only Skokie school district where administrators did not respond to questions about bullying prevention policies. Three days after Patch posted responses from other local districts, administrators instead issued a press release proclaiming that the district "strictly prohibits" bullying.

Read More: Bullying: How Skokie Schools Tackle The Issue

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The regional parent survey, timed to coincide with National Bullying Prevention Month in October, was posted on dozens of Patch sites in Illinois and in the Midwest. The survey is not scientific, but could be considered a broad indicator of parents' feelings about the seriousness of bullying in their schools and communities.

Take the Patch bullying survey »

As of Friday, Oct. 18, more than 460 parents responded to this regional Patch survey. The key findings were:

  • Nearly 71 percent of parents said their children had been bullied at least once.
  • Nearly 65 percent had been bullied this school year.

These informal findings should be compared to statistics compiled in more scientific surveys, which note that:

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.

Do you have a story to tell?

Are you concerned about how your local schools handle bullies and their victims?

Email us at bullies@patch.com and share your views in the comments.

Selected Stories From The Project

From No Bully, Patch News Partner

From The Experts

What We've Learned

Patch staff contributed. Spelling and punctuation have been corrected in some parent responses.

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