BUT I WAS ONLY KIDDING!!

 

In the not-so-distant past, as long as school personnel thought there was no real intent, comments and language containing threats to harm others were often dismissed. "But  I was only kidding" was the common defense to "I'll kill you!" Bullying comments were supposed to be ignored, and we were instructed to feel sorry for the offender and not be concerned for the victim.  Things have changed!  The Amherst Middle School continues to devote a lot of energy to educating and informing our students of the District's commitment to provide a safe environment in which to learn.  Last year, an evening Parent Coffee was devoted to bullying, and student safety was included in the discussion.  In the Middle featured articles on bullying, threats, and our efforts to educate our students about the seriousness of such behavior. This year, as well as the last three years, the Administration met with each grade in the cafeteria on the first day of school to go over the Student Agenda.  Emphasis was placed on the laws regarding student safety, particularly those pertaining to threats, bullying, and harassment.  Students were instructed to read and familiarize themselves school policies and procedures.  We then met with individual teams over the last three weeks to further discuss these issues in a smaller setting.  Included was a question and answer session.   In our discussions with the students, we engaged in a candid conversation around school safety issues and the reasons why we have adopted a "Zero Tolerance" for violence, the threat of violence, and bullying in a Safe School Zone.  We gave specific examples of wording that constitute a violation of student safety rules, and informed them of the serious consequences for each.  Our intent is to be proactive, to educate, and hopefully prevent students from engaging in such language and behavior.  Our goal is to keep kids in school. We need your help!

 

Schools must be a safe place to learn.  None of us would be happy if the school knew of threats and bullying and simply dismissed them.  Tragic events at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, and in other schools across the country require that we change the way we deal with bullying and threatening behavior at school.  We are no longer afforded the opportunity to make arbitrary determinations as to the intent of students making threats to the safety of themselves or others.   We are required to treat all threats the same, regardless of intent.  If any student draws pictures depicting violence, displays any type of harmful behavior, or makes any type of comment threatening the safety of our school, others, or self, regardless of intent, the school is obligated to take action in the best interest of the entire school population.  A recent change in School Board policy has reduced the minimum number of suspension days, but we need to stop the threats from occurring.  The Administration must suspend the child from school for at least three days, and he or she will not be allowed to return until appropriate medical personnel hold a lethality interview to make a professional determination whether there is a continued threat.  The lethality interview must be arranged by and paid for by the child's parents.  The Amherst Police Department will also be notified in all cases. 

 

Please take some time to have a conversation with your child around bullying, harassment, threats, and general school safety.  If your son or daughter is being bullied or harassed, give us a call.  We are in different times, and what children do and say in school can be serious.  Working together, we can create a safer and happier educational environment for all.