Bullying: How District 146 Tackles The Issue

TINLEY PARK, IL — As part of its coverage for National Bullying Prevention Month, Patch reached out to school districts across the Chicago suburbs to see how they handle bullying in their communities. Across the country, bullying is a problem that affects more than one in five students. And while some boil it down to the idea that "kids will be kids," studies show that students who are bullied are at increased risk for anxiety, depression, poor self-image, mental health and behavior problems and poor school adjustment.

Tinley Park Patch reached out to Community Consolidated School District 146 to take a look at how the district handles and reports bullying. Patch asked the following questions:

• What is the district's policy with regard to bullying and cyberbullying? What is the discipline process for students who bully others?
• How many reported incidents of bullying does the district have this year/last year (could also break this down by grade level)?
• What constitutes a reportable bullying incident? How does the district define bullying? In other words, when does it rise to the level of being reportable?
• What measures is the district taking to be proactive about bullying?
• What is the district doing to help students who have been the victim of bullying?
• Some schools use apps — Ok2Say, STOPIt, BullyTag, etc. — or some other system that allows students to anonymously report bullying. Does your district do this? What kind of volume are schools seeing? Has that increased/decreased?

District 146's responses can be found below:

• What is the district’s policy with regard to bullying and cyberbullying?

Neither are acceptable at District 146. Each complaint is investigated by staff and, if bullying is identified, appropriate restorative actions are taken. The District’s Student/Parent Handbook has specific policy information.

• What is the discipline process for students who bully others? How many reported incidents of bullying does the district have this year/last year (could also break this down by grade level)?

Each incident is handled based on the outcomes of the investigation. Discipline for bullying may include social probation, detention, or other restorative actions.

It is difficult to provide numbers on incidents of reported bullying, as reports are only filed if they are found to be true. Therefore, the District would not have record of an incident reported to the teacher if the teacher finds after thorough investigation that there was no bullying.

That being said, each of the District’s schools have had fewer than five verified incidents of bullying when you combine last year and this year so far.

• What constitutes a reportable bullying incident? How does the district define bullying? In other words, when does it rise to the level of being reportable?

Students are encouraged to report all incidents that they believe to be bullying. Witnesses of bullying are also encouraged to report such incidents. You can view our Student/Parent Handbook for a thorough definition and examples of bullying.

• What measures is the district taking to be proactive about bullying?

Please see the attached press release about steps the District takes to proactively stop bullying before it starts. If you have any questions about the measures, don’t hesitate to get a hold of me.

• What is the district doing to help students who have been the victim of bullying?

Students have access to social workers whenever necessary. Plans are created for bullying victims with each differing depending upon the circumstances. We strive to assure all students feel safe and welcome in school. Students also have advisory and classroom teachers who are trained in focusing on the whole-student, including social/emotional. Staff is also trained to identify possible bulling and to stop it before it starts.

• Some schools use apps — Ok2Say, STOPIt, BullyTag, etc. — or some other system that allows students to anonymously report bullying. Does your district do this? What kind of volume are schools seeing? Has that increased/decreased?

Anonymous reports are accepted via note or phone call. Third party witnesses are also encouraged to report bullying and may also do so anonymously. At this time, no apps that offer anonymous reporting are in use.

“We work hard at all of our buildings to proactively stop bullying before it starts,” said Kelly Voliva, director of student services at District 146. “Multiple resources with a focus on social emotional learning are integrated into our curriculum. Our teachers and support staff take very seriously the task of educating the whole child.”

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.

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