Families of the Pine-Richland School District, please join us in urging the board and administration to improve the district's response to complaints of bullying by signing this petition.

This petition is specifically a call to change the Pine-Richland Discipline Code to move "bullying/cyberbullying" from a Level 1 offense (the lowest level of offenses, for example:  tardiness, hygiene issues, littering, and being unprepared for class) to a Level 2 or higher offense.  

The objective is not to impose harsher penalties, but rather to ensure that all reports of bullying are referred to administrators and are documented in (confidential) school records.  This will improve students' confidence that reports will be equitably handled.

Presently, the Pine-Richland Discipline Code has 4 levels of offenses.  "Bullying/cyberbullying" are Level 1 offenses, described as "minor misbehaviors" typically handled by teaching staff.  PROSPR Now has been made aware of staff bringing bullying reports to administrators but being told to handle it themselves.  

Level 2, 3, and 4 offenses are incrementally more serious and require the intervention of an administrator who would investigate and document the incident. 

Bullying is a serious form of misconduct which clearly aligns with Level 3’s description of “acts directed against persons or properties that could endanger the health or safety of those in the school.”  According to the CDC, students who are bullied are more likely to experience low self-esteem and isolation, perform poorly in school, have few friends in school, and to experience mental health issues such as depression, suicidal thoughts and anxiety.

Bullying in K-12 schools is a pervasive problem nationwide.  Studies show 20% of students are bullied every year, which equates to nearly 1,000 Pine-Richland students.

The placement of bullying as a Level 1 offense is unique to Pine-Richland.  The discipline codes in both our neighboring Hampton and North Allegheny school districts classify bullying as a Level 2, 3, and 4 offense.

We can make no progress on addressing the pervasive bullying in our school district without correcting this glaring deficiency in the discipline code. Soon, the board and administration will consider revisions to the discipline code for the next school year.  Now is the time to speak up.

We are asking you, our community, to stand up for students in Pine-Richland schools by adding your name to the petition and helping to spread the word. Please continue to report any issues regarding student safety at Pine-Richland to contact@prosprnow.org or at www.prosprnow.org. Your confidentiality will be respected.

PROSPR Now (PRotect Our Students in Pine and Richland Now) is a volunteer family alliance focused on improving the safety of students in the district. The 501(c)(3) organization seeks to provide concerned parents with knowledge and support and work constructively with the district on issues of student safety.