It has come to our attention in recent days that there have been separate instances in which some of our students have been the object of bullying behavior. Some of these incidents involve emotional bullying conducted anonymously through Internet blogging and/or social networking websites, such as Instagram, and may involve several students acting in concert with one another. These behaviors cannot and will not be tolerated. The consequences that can be suffered by both the victims of bullying and those who have inflicted distress on their peers have been well documented in the media. We are clear that very few students-- if any – who engage in these behaviors are fully aware of the horrible short-term and long-term scars of students targeted by bullying behavior. Last week, we invited Office Franklin and Kenya Hildreth, Compliance Manger of Bardwellgroup, to speak with our middle school students to explain the seriousness of these actions and their impact. As new laws have been passed, students need to understand that these actions are criminal and punishable by law.
We urge you to take time to speak about this very important issue with your children so they can be clear that cyber bullying is not at all an innocent behavior and that it can have devastating consequences to both its perpetrators and victims. Please discuss what it means to be a bystander, and empower them to take a stand when witnessing cruel behaviors in person as well as on the internet.
We urge you to take time to speak about this very important issue with your children so they can be clear that cyber bullying is not at all an innocent behavior and that it can have devastating consequences to both its perpetrators and victims. Please discuss what it means to be a bystander, and empower them to take a stand when witnessing cruel behaviors in person as well as on the internet.
Sincerely,
Alicia Reed, Dean of Students