Hoover school officials say they don't consider bullying to be a major problem in their schools, but they aren't taking any chances.
The system's bullying prevention committee is working to not only stop bullying from occurring, but to detect and do away with any that exists.
The committee was created in 2008 from the student assistance program, which helps young people and families overcome barriers to learning that could range from social and emotional issues to nutritional problems, said Marion Kellough, Hoover's district intervention counselor.
Bullying committee members include counselors, teachers, building administrators, school resource officers and central office staff, she said.
The committee's first action was to research other anti-bullying programs and begin training sessions for principals, counselors and other faculty to help them identify and act on bullying in elementary through high schools. Bullying is defined as when someone repeatedly and purposefully does mean or hurtful things to another person.
Educational materials were sent to parents, including advice on what to do if their child is bullied or is himself a bully. A tool kit for teachers was developed that contains different means to address the problem.
This school year, the focus is on the bystanders, or those who observe bullying, Kellough said.
"In a nationwide survey, 80 percent of students said while they weren't being bullied, they were witnessing it, didn't like it, but didn't know what to do," Kellough said.
Hoover schools are working on a concept called positive behavior support, she said.
"The schools are charged with rewarding kids verbally or giving extra privileges when they're seen doing something positive," Kellough said. "Most schools are using three rules: be resourceful, be responsible and be respectful, and the
detection of bullying fits right in with this."Other anti-bullying projects this year include the preparation of a video of a Dateline episode about what kids should do when they observe bullying. It will be made available to students in grades 3 through 10 about mid-year, she said.
"Most don't realize these are actors in the piece, and it really helps the bystanders know how to intervene," Kellough said.
Individual schools have launched their own antibullying efforts, including one that has the e-mails and cell phone numbers of administrators posted on walls so students can report bullying without fear of being exposed, she said.
Sonia Carrington, principal of Rocky Ridge Elementary, said her school is dealing with the problem from several angles, including the posting of "no bullying" signs and school-wide broadcasts of bullying prevention information.
"A student bullying prevention committee called 'Be a Buddy' will be in place starting in January," Carrington said. "We want our students to be aware, empowered and have positive, tangible steps to follow whether dealing with a bully or someone who is a bully victim."
The Student Harassment Prevention Act passed by the Legislature last year was signed into law in May 2009. It required local school boards to adopt an anti-harassment policy that coincides with the state act by July 1 of this year and to approve a form by which complaints are to be made.
The Hoover school board approved its anti-harassment policy on July 15 but was not provided a complaint form to approve until its November meeting. Assistant Superintendent Carol Barber said developing the form was a lengthy process that included input from school principals. She requested that input in mid-October.
The complaint form, available online or at any school, is offered to anyone reporting a bullying incident. Hoover's student code of conduct requires that offenses be reported in writing unless the student or parent requests that the matter be handled informally.
"We have always had a procedure in place to handle reports of bullying, intimidation or harassment where a student or parent can report such an occurrence to a teacher, counselor or administrator," Barber said. "The form is available to formalize a report in writing, but the procedure is still the same with or without the form."
Barber said while the school system's bullying problem is not a big one, it does exist and is taken very seriously.
"If necessary, we will bring in crisis counselors and work with both sets of parents," Barber said. "We will administer the appropriate consequences, and we will send a message that bullying will not be tolerated."
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