We want West Middle School to enforce their zero-tolerance anti-bullying policy, provide more supervision in hallways and after lunch, create support systems. Please sign if you agree!

The Issue

5-21-2014

We as parents and supporters of students at West Middle School would like to see the following items fixed.

1. Board policy states zero tolerance for bullying – We want this policy followed and enforced.

2. Parents and students report that they are fearful of reporting bullying instances for fear of their own safety –

We want anonymous reporting available for students.

3. Students who have been bullied, or have seen others bullied, report that they are often made to feel guilty or like they deserved the bullying-We want reports of bullying to be validated and those involved to be treated with respect.

4. Students have reported that the bullying behavior is seen by some middle school staff and administration as “typical middle school” behavior- We want the zero tolerance policy not just spoken, but believed and followed by all middle school staff.

5. Lack of supervision in hallways allows students to be bullied-We want better supervision in the hallways.

6. The large group gathering area after lunch is too big and too poorly supervised to be productive- We want students to be able to participate in productive activities at this time, in smaller safer groups, with a larger teacher to student ratio.

7. Many of the ways students are grouped and monitored throughout the school day are based on regimented and outdated policies –We want new policies that support the changing individual needs of the students at West Middle School.

8. The idea that all kids should be treated equally does not meet the needs of West students – We want kids treated fairly based on their individual needs.

9. Students at West report that they are often made to feel that they have to tolerate the bullies in their school or being bullied- We want them to be ensured that they do NOT have to tolerate bullying and that they will be protected by all staff at West.

10. Advisories have curriculum that addresses bullying- We want that material modeled, reinforced, taught and expected, not just addressed.

11. Too many students are bullied-We want a consistent and strong system set up, like Natural Helpers or Circle of Friends, so bullies know they cannot and will not be allowed at West Middle School.

12. Parents report that their children have witnessed bullying or been bullied, but their children are fearful of their parents trying to help because they see how other reports are handled. They see students called to the office, made to face their bullies, and the bullies and their friends return to class and the bullying gets worse.-We want a system that makes the victims and those who try to stand up for the victims to feel safe and supported.

We the Undersigned want the above items fixed by the start of the 2014-2015 school year.

The students attending West Middle School Need to know that there is a ZERO Tolerance for Bullying.

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This petition had 77 supporters