Bullies beware
By LARRY PETERSON - CNA assistant managing editor lpeterson@crestonnews.com
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| St. Malachy Principal John Walsh shares results of a bullying survey with members of the school's Parent-Teacher Organization. Data from the survey is being used for background in developing a bullying prevention plan at the school. (CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON) |
According to a survey of parents last spring, 30 of 66 parents of St. Malachy students said their child had been verbally bullied at least once or twice in a month’s time.
Nearly as many reported instances of social bullying, while 15 of the 66 knew of their child being bullied physically.
While these numbers may not be unusual among children and adolescents, it was enough for Principal John Walsh to begin a plan to implement bullying prevention program at the school.
“The information isn’t necessarily real surprising,” Walsh said. “They are children. This is behavior that occurs. But, the numbers tell us we have an issue here and we need to do something about it. We don’t want any kid not wanting to come to school. We want it to be a safe place for all children.”
On Tuesday, Walsh led a presentation on bullying for the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization. Results of the parent survey were shared, as well as plans for developing a prevention plan.
Statewide, the 2007 Iowa Safe Schools law requires public schools to have in place anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies that protect all students. Yet, a state survey of students showed almost 40 percent of respondents reporting some kind of physical harassment, with nearly half of those reporting physical assaults.
While the number of incidents may be lower at St. Malachy, Walsh said any discomfort felt by students due to aggressive behavior runs contrary to the school’s primary guiding idea — “St. Malachy School is a place where you can receive a top-quality Catholic education in a loving, caring environment.”
The parent survey produced some responses that will help school officials target their attention. Some mentioned incidents occurring in music class. Other said children were shunned or bullied on the playground and the school bus. Another concern was scorn for “tattlers,” which inhibits opportunities to discover bullying sources.
“Where does it happen?” Walsh asked PTO members. “Well, the responses tell us it happens everywhere. Perhaps we can identify a couple of locations. Bathrooms and playgrounds are areas where a majority of it occurs, but you can’t ignore the rest of the facility.”
Unstructured times such as passing between classes, lunch periods, and restroom breaks are some of the primary bullying opportunities, Walsh noted.
Bullying is certainly not a new phenomenon. Parents at the PTO meeting reported their own experiences. One said she was bullied by eighth-graders while she was in seventh grade. Another said she frequently feigned illness during the school day to get out of the building early. Another said his stuttering as a youth led to harassment problems.
The difference now, Walsh said, is that schools are working to become more proactive on the matter.
St. Malachy’s plan, for example, calls for a bullying prevention presentation to students and a survey of students’ current experiences before the holiday break. A committee will be formed to draw up the plan.
“I am looking for three parents to assist with this task,” Walsh said. “I would like a parent with a child in the K-2 grade band, a parent with a child in the 3-5 grade band, and a parent with a child in the 6-8 band. The committee will include a teacher from each of these bands as well as a board member and myself.”
Walsh hopes the present a bully prevention program to the Board of Education for approval in January, allowing implementation during the spring semester.
The committee will be guided by a policy already adopted by the Diocese of Des Moines regulations for its Catholic schools. That policy also includes “electronic” bullying via use of cell phones, e-mail and Internet sites.
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