My son has been bullied since he was in the 2nd grade. Now he continues to endure harassment from the same bully. This relentless bullying has severely impacted his school experience—both emotionally and academically. In an effort to defend himself, he gets into trouble, and when he seeks help, he's punished for speaking out. This is not the environment any parent wants for their child.

It's heart-wrenching to know that this isn't an isolated incident. Every day, countless kids within the Amarillo Independent School District face similar struggles. Those who are bullied often feel like they have no voice, and tragically, some may resort to self-harm or even contemplate suicide as an escape from thee relentless and unchecked bullying. According to statistics, one in five students report being bullied, and those numbers grow when we focus on specific age groups or districts. The correlation between bullying and mental health issues among youth is undeniable.

One in five high school students in the US seriously considered attempting suicide in 2023.Among teenagers who reported being bullied, 28.5% had depression symptoms, and 29.8% had anxiety symptoms, significantly higher rates than non-bullied youth.One study found that 38.1% of adolescents who were bullied engaged in self-harm during the last 12 months, and 42.1% of those who were both bullies and victims (bully-victims) did so.


The zero-tolerance policies currently in place are ineffective if not enforced properly. This is not just about punishing the bully but ensuring that both the bully and victim are offered the guidance and support needed to resolve these issues. Schools should be safe spaces where children can learn and grow without fear. We need Amarillo ISD to take immediate action.

We urge the Amarillo Independent School District to revise its bullying policies and hold students and parents accountable. It's imperative that the policies include clear repercussions for actions and ensure that both bullies and victims receive counseling and bullies receive stricter consequences for their actions. Moreover, there should be ongoing education for students and teachers to foster a culture of understanding, respect, and zero tolerance for bullying( adopt new policy and hold all districts and educators within the district to the new policy standards no matter what circumstances are). 

The new Bully Policy should include the following: 4 strike rule. 1st strike Verbal warning, Strike 2 and 3 both written warnings and parent meeting with all parents involved to try to discuss solution and adopt a solution. strike 4 final should be expulsion from the Campus to Alternative Schooling( permanent DEAP) Remote Education(campuses were able to do this during COVID should be no different). We are asking for school Amarillo Police Officers to report violent bullying such as bullies who may put hands on their victims to be able to pull the bully into the office and educate them on what assault means and educate them on what can happen if they are seen or caught assaulting another student. Also should be Amarillo ISD letting parents review the cameras if their child claims a bully assaulted them and the district to file a assault report  and take Assault bully cases more seriously as those are the ones that can cause the most physical harm. Harassment consistently by the bully should follow the 4 strike rule and parents should be more involved and that is all parents to each party meeting and working together to prevent the 4 strikes your out from happening!

The following for Victims put into New Policy; Appropriate counseling provided by the school( that’s what school counselors are therefore), Proper and Prompt investigations. Have teachers trained for bullying situations to try and foster a better environment for those that have been victims( Establish trust in the adults), use of in school Mentor Programs to help keep watch to Report possible bullying and be available for the victim to talk to if need be and be there while the healing process begins to help the victim cope better by having good reliable fellow classmates to rely on! Schedules rearranged so bullies and victims do not have same classes together unless an unavoidable situation arises like Athletics or School field trips in which the bully and Victim are separated as best as can be and teachers/monitors carefully keep close eye on bully and victim under those circumstances.

Elementary bully policy: should be separation switching a child to a different class, Bully Lunch detention consistently until bully resolves situation peacefully with victim. Teacher intervention separating a problem before it becomes a problem and reporting incidences immediately to the main office. Utilizing parents of the bullies to attend work shops(if truant parents can do truancy work shops they have to attend parents can be forced to attend anti bully work shops), Holding parents responsible. If all else fails follow 4 strike rule.

Let us come together to protect our children's right to a safe and nurturing educational experience. Sign this petition to demand change and create a safer, kinder environment within our schools. Protect our kids, our future and be the voices for those kids who did not get to have a voice!