Bullying: How Oswego Schools Handle The Problem

OSWEGO, IL — Bullying is not a new problem, but the issue of bullying has evolved with technology like the rise of social media. As part of its National Bullying Prevention Month coverage, Patch contacted administrators of dozens of public school districts in Chicago area suburbs to see how they handle bullying in their communities.

Across the country, bullying is a problem that affects more than one in three students. 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.

The Bullying Menace: What District 308 Parents Are Saying

Bullying is a problem in most communities. In 2015, the 17,000-student District 308 saw 84 reported allegations of harassing or bullying, according to the Department of Education's civil rights database. There were 109 students disciplined that year for bullying or harassment, including 39 white male students and 29 Hispanic male students.

For comparison, Plainfield's District 202 — a system with 10,000 more students — had six reported allegations of bullying in 2015, according to the federal database.

Patch asked District 308 administration a series of questions on how it defines bullying and how it addresses the problem. Below are the answers submitted by the district, which have only been edited for grammar and clarity.

What is the discipline process for students who bully others?

Administration and staff take all reports of bullying seriously and investigate them with all of the resources available and then act on the information appropriately. This often can include supports and safety planning for students who have been the victim of an incident or incidents, as well as consequences and ongoing safety planning for any offender. The Students Rights and Responsibilities Code outlines bullying and cyberbullying in section VII beginning on page 13. In addition, the Students Rights and Responsibilities Code outlines student discipline (Conduct Interventions and Consequences) in section VIII, beginning on page 15.

How many reported incidents of bullying does the district have this year or last year?

In the 2018-2019 school year, we had 24 reported incidents.

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?

Any incident identified by a victim as bullying can be reported and will be investigated. An incident that would constitute a reportable bullying incident that will result in consequences identified as tied to an incident of bullying meets SD308’s definition of bullying and/or cyberbullying. Those definitions are outlined ... below.

B. Bullying Defined - Bullying is any type of physical or verbal act or conduct, including any communication made in writing or electronically, that is severe, pervasive, and often purposeful and repeated, directed toward a student that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one of the following: 1. Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or
property; 2. Causes a substantial detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health; 3. Substantially interferes with the student’s academic performance; or 4. Substantially interferes with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the school. C. Bullying includes “cyber-bullying.” Cyber-bullying includes the following: 1. Bullying through the use of technology or any form of electronic communication,
including without limitation any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part, including without limitation social media, electronic mail, Internet communications, text messages, instant messages, or facsimile
communications. 2. Creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages if the creation or impersonation creates any of the effects enumerated in the
definition of bullying in this section. 3. Distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on any electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons if the distribution or posting creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying in this Section. D. For purposes of School District 308 policy, “bullying” (which includes cyber-bullying) may include: 1. Physical acts, such as inappropriate, unwanted, uninvited, or injurious physical contact with another; harassment, threats, intimidation, theft, public humiliation, retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying, stalking; sexual assault; and destruction or damage to property of another. 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(b). 2. Written and electronic communication of any type that incorporate language or depictions that would constitute bullying, using any medium (including, but not limited to, cell phones, computers,websites, electronic networks, instant messages, text messages and emails); 3. Verbal threats made to another, or blackmail, or demands for protection money; 4. Non-verbal threats or intimidation such as aggressive or menacing gestures; 5. Direct or indirect, relationally aggressive behavior such as social isolation, rumor spreading, or damaging someone’s reputation; 6. Expression of ideas or beliefs in a way that is lewd, profane, or intended to intimidate or harass another;
7. Any of the above conduct which occurs off school grounds when such conduct creates, or can reasonably be expected to create, a substantial disruption in the school setting and/or at school sponsored activities and events. 8. Transmissions from a computer or device accessed at a non-school-related location, activity, function, or program and/ or from use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by a school district or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the education process or orderly operation of a school. (105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(a)(4)) The examples listed above are meant to be illustrative and are not exhaustive of conduct that may or may not be considered “Bullying.” Nor are they intended to limit the exercise
of discretion granted to school administrators under Sections 5/10-20.12(d) or 5/10-22.6 of the School Code for addressing instances of student misconduct.

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

The school district utilizes various proactive measures regarding bullying. The district utilizes SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) curriculum, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Character Counts initiatives, Elements of Restorative Practices, implements Significant 72 that focuses on establishing relationships and foundations of rapport during the first week of school, and explicit teaching of school wide expected behaviors. While this list may not encompass all efforts throughout the district, it is a great starting point.

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

Taking each report seriously and investigating each incident thoroughly. Applying a range of interventions, supports, consequences, and restorative measures (when appropriate) for students that report or commit bullying. Schools are also engaging in school-wide instruction in social-emotional learning curricula in grades PreK-8, using Character Counts expectations, positive behavior interventions and supports, "say something" campaigns, signs of suicide programs in junior highs and high schools, and/or other age-appropriate interventions or programs for all
students to encourage a positive and safe school climate that supports learning and does not tolerate bullying. After a pilot program at the junior high level last year that embedded a Restorative Justice program for students in grades 6-8 at one school, this year efforts are being made to support and expand this practice and intervention for students to all schools. Restorative programs are not used in place of discipline that is serious in nature, but they are research-based practices to provide a voice to the victims of school bullying. Individual students and their parents or guardians engage in conversation with school staff to discuss individualized safety plans
when appropriate or needed.

Some schools use apps or some other system that allows students to anonymously report bullying? Does your district do this? What kind of volume are schools seeing? Has the increased or decreased?

We are in talks with a few of these reporting system vendors, still learning about the differences to choose the one that will best assist our district.