By John Dobberstein, Editor
A lengthy statement released by a parent Friday on social media says the Broken Arrow Public Schools has actions “in motion” or planned in the future to address concerns about bullying at the district’s schools.
Students and parents protested at the Broken Arrow Freshman Academy last week and a prayer gathering was held at the district’s administrative offices. Students also staged a walkout at Broken Arrow High School Friday regarding bullying, inclusivity and suicide prevention at the district.
“On behalf of the parents and supporters we are proud of each of them for taking a stand,” said the post on Facebook. “It is not always easy to take that step and many resort to just accepting things and only hope that a change would happen.”
The Sentinel was unable to reach BAPS for a comment Friday evening.
A group of parents and students on Monday met with BAFA Principal Beth Gilbert, Assistant Principal Larry Lewis and BAPS Executive Director of Student Services Derek Blackburn.
The meeting reportedly lasted almost 2 ½ hours and the post said there was open communication, “which the parents and students felt was productive and gave way to a path forward.”
Bullying, physical and sexual assault and harassment, inclusivity, suicide prevention and mental health were all touched on and discussed. The post said school administrators “asked a lot of questions, heard everything out and were fully invested. We left the meeting cautiously optimistic.”
According to the post, part of the discussion centered around bullying being a “systemic issue throughout BAPS, not unique to BAFA.”
The post said parents provided a printout with many comments from parents and students regarding issues they have had with bullying in BAPS and the feeling it was not addressed.
The parents said that “the culture of BAPS is one which the students feel that bullying, harassment and assault is the ‘norm’ so why report everything.”
The post said Blackburn planned to follow up on incidents and with individuals about incidents on the printout.
According to the post, parents and students felt their concerns, situations and recommendations were “all heard fully” by school officials and administrators at the meeting and that they want to “provide a safe environment for each student and the ability to learn comfortably.”
The post shared an overview of some items recommended or were being put into motion right before the meeting at BAFA, based on age and school appropriateness:
· LGBTQ+ Club, after school to replace one that disbanded.
· Since BAFA is a single grade the students do not have an older grade available to be mentors, the post said. The rincipal has been in communication with the BAHS COLABASH Program and working on having the students in the program come to BAFA for mentorship and leadership events. COLABASH stands for Committee on Life at Broken Arrow Senior High is a group of senior leaders.
· Training and education for teachers on handling students reporting of bullying, harassment and similar issues.
· Best method for reporting and how to ensure report is sent through to principle and vice principal to investigate.
· Principal or vice principal sitting down with “representative” students from all the different groups/cliques that exist and speaking with them on “what they are seeing, hearing, where it is happening” and suggestions they have for how to address it.
· Request for follow up to students and parents following reporting, investigation and conclusion, the post said. “It is understood and appreciated that the school cannot inform a parent or student what consequences the perpetrator student may have,” the post said.
· Holding small groups in class to have group discussions, “which could be on a basis of what is going on in your life or a given topic by the teacher,” the post said. “This is something done at BA Options Academy and students have found it helpful.”
· Looking at resources the school offers to determine if they are best suited or if something is missing or not needed.
“Parents and students look forward to collaborating with BAPS to make a change for current and future students,” the post said.
Last week, BAPS Supt. Chuck Perry detailed what the district already has in place to connect students and their families with resources including:
- School counselors who serve as educators, collaborators and consultants in meeting students’ needs and achievement outcomes.
- School-based social workers who assist in removing barriers to school success by connecting students and their families to helpful community resources.
- Embedded-therapists in each of our schools who provide individualized therapeutic support to students during the school day.
- Partnership with the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma to offer parents the option of consenting to a mental health check-up for their student.
TIPS FOR ADDRESSING BULLYING
· Any situation a student wants to discuss can be done by sending message through Canvas to the principal, vice principal or counselor if the student doesn’t feel comfortable going in themselves.
· If a student wants to go report but doesn’t feel comfortable going by themselves a friend can go with the student to report the issue.
· Bullying, violence, drug use or school threat can be reported anonymously on the BAPS website by going to Broken Arrow Public Schools – Report It! (baschools.org)](https://www.baschools.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Report%20It%20-%20Bullying/Threat)
This can be found by going to the BAPS website, put mouse over Students, then click on Report It – Bullying/Threat. If its vital that when a report is submitted as many details and information be added as possible. Reports that are too vague cannot be investigated or addressed.
· If a student knows of a situation that a peer has told them about, they can report it. The report does not have to be from only the victim.
Leave a Reply