Take a Stand Against Bullying at Wake Forest High School
The Issue
March 8, 2017
Petitioning:
Dr. James Merrill, Wake Co. Superintendent of Schools
Mr Donald Agee, Wake County School Board District 1
Ms. Patti Hamler, Principal, Wake Forest High School
To take additional steps as required under Federal law as well as the Wake Co. Board of Education Bullying policy, to provide the Wake Forest High School students and staff additional training and resources needed to address bullying issues.
We are writing as concerned parents of Wake Forest High School students, and members of the Wake Forest community. We are proud of the place Wake Forest High School holds in the hearts of many alumni, community leaders, students, staff and parents. It is for this reason that we come together and request a more thorough response to the incident which occurred on campus last Thursday, March 2, 2017.
While the school has understandably not relayed specific details to the community, it has been widely shared on social media and news outlets that a student, Micah Speed, reacted physically to alleged long standing bullying and racial slurs, as well as alleged threats to himself and his family from another student, Larry Walsh. As a result of this physical outburst, Micah was immediately suspended for a lengthy period, which has subsequently been reduced by half. Discipline for Larry was delayed pending additional review of the situation.
National News Regarding WFHS Bullying Incident
We are concerned that allegations of racial harassment may have been raised to school personnel and not adequately investigated or remediated. Students need to feel confident that if they speak with an adult about a bullying issue it will be handled with the seriousness that it deserves. Moreover, federal law requires this. It is the school’s duty not just to speak with the students allegedly involved in the harassment but also to speak with other students about whether racial animus is pervasive in the school. Based on the passionate response from the students with widespread peaceful protests at the school on March 6th, it is clear that students are concerned with the sufficiency of the school’s response.
This is a prime opportunity for our school leaders to show the community that there is zero tolerance for bullying and racism. We ask that the administration go above and beyond what is simply required, to reassure students that they will work to promote inclusiveness and equality, and embrace the diversity of the student body by following the guidelines laid out for bullying by the Wake County Board of Education and Federal Law.
Finally, we request that the teacher who intervened in the altercation and attempted to prevent any further conflict be supported by your administration. Additional training and guidance on how to appropriately handle bullying and other conflicts is needed for all personnel and students. Will the administration address these concerns in a parent and staff meeting, and work with parents, the PTSA, the School Board and Superintendent to offer training and guidance to students and staff?
We look forward to engaging in dialogue and working together to create a safe, supportive environment for teachers, staff, and all children.
Signed,
Concerned Community Members
Wake Co. Board of Education Bullying Policy
E. TRAINING AND PROGRAMS
The Board directs the Superintendent to establish training and other programs that are designed to help eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, and bullying and to foster an environment of understanding and respect for all members of the school community. The training or programs should (1) provide examples of behavior that constitutes discrimination, harassment, or bullying; (2) teach employees to identify groups that may be the target of discrimination, harassment, or bullying; and (3) train school employees to be alert to locations where such behavior may occur, including locations within school buildings, at school bus stops, on cell phones, and on the Internet. Information about this policy and the related complaint procedure must be included in the training plan.
As funds are available, the Superintendent is also authorized to provide additional training for students, employees, and volunteers who have significant contact with students regarding the Board's efforts to address discrimination, harassment, and bullying, and to create programs to address these issues...
Federal Law on Bullying
...When the behavior implicates the civil rights laws, school administrators should look beyond simply disciplining the perpetrators. While disciplining the perpetrators is likely a necessary step, it often is insufficient. The school’s responsibility is to eliminate the hostile environment created by the harassment, address its effects, and take steps to ensure that harassment does not recur. Put differently, the unique effects of discriminatory harassment may demand a different response than would other types of bullying...
The Issue
March 8, 2017
Petitioning:
Dr. James Merrill, Wake Co. Superintendent of Schools
Mr Donald Agee, Wake County School Board District 1
Ms. Patti Hamler, Principal, Wake Forest High School
To take additional steps as required under Federal law as well as the Wake Co. Board of Education Bullying policy, to provide the Wake Forest High School students and staff additional training and resources needed to address bullying issues.
We are writing as concerned parents of Wake Forest High School students, and members of the Wake Forest community. We are proud of the place Wake Forest High School holds in the hearts of many alumni, community leaders, students, staff and parents. It is for this reason that we come together and request a more thorough response to the incident which occurred on campus last Thursday, March 2, 2017.
While the school has understandably not relayed specific details to the community, it has been widely shared on social media and news outlets that a student, Micah Speed, reacted physically to alleged long standing bullying and racial slurs, as well as alleged threats to himself and his family from another student, Larry Walsh. As a result of this physical outburst, Micah was immediately suspended for a lengthy period, which has subsequently been reduced by half. Discipline for Larry was delayed pending additional review of the situation.
National News Regarding WFHS Bullying Incident
We are concerned that allegations of racial harassment may have been raised to school personnel and not adequately investigated or remediated. Students need to feel confident that if they speak with an adult about a bullying issue it will be handled with the seriousness that it deserves. Moreover, federal law requires this. It is the school’s duty not just to speak with the students allegedly involved in the harassment but also to speak with other students about whether racial animus is pervasive in the school. Based on the passionate response from the students with widespread peaceful protests at the school on March 6th, it is clear that students are concerned with the sufficiency of the school’s response.
This is a prime opportunity for our school leaders to show the community that there is zero tolerance for bullying and racism. We ask that the administration go above and beyond what is simply required, to reassure students that they will work to promote inclusiveness and equality, and embrace the diversity of the student body by following the guidelines laid out for bullying by the Wake County Board of Education and Federal Law.
Finally, we request that the teacher who intervened in the altercation and attempted to prevent any further conflict be supported by your administration. Additional training and guidance on how to appropriately handle bullying and other conflicts is needed for all personnel and students. Will the administration address these concerns in a parent and staff meeting, and work with parents, the PTSA, the School Board and Superintendent to offer training and guidance to students and staff?
We look forward to engaging in dialogue and working together to create a safe, supportive environment for teachers, staff, and all children.
Signed,
Concerned Community Members
Wake Co. Board of Education Bullying Policy
E. TRAINING AND PROGRAMS
The Board directs the Superintendent to establish training and other programs that are designed to help eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, and bullying and to foster an environment of understanding and respect for all members of the school community. The training or programs should (1) provide examples of behavior that constitutes discrimination, harassment, or bullying; (2) teach employees to identify groups that may be the target of discrimination, harassment, or bullying; and (3) train school employees to be alert to locations where such behavior may occur, including locations within school buildings, at school bus stops, on cell phones, and on the Internet. Information about this policy and the related complaint procedure must be included in the training plan.
As funds are available, the Superintendent is also authorized to provide additional training for students, employees, and volunteers who have significant contact with students regarding the Board's efforts to address discrimination, harassment, and bullying, and to create programs to address these issues...
Federal Law on Bullying
...When the behavior implicates the civil rights laws, school administrators should look beyond simply disciplining the perpetrators. While disciplining the perpetrators is likely a necessary step, it often is insufficient. The school’s responsibility is to eliminate the hostile environment created by the harassment, address its effects, and take steps to ensure that harassment does not recur. Put differently, the unique effects of discriminatory harassment may demand a different response than would other types of bullying...
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on March 8, 2017