Highland Middle School Posts Bullying Form Online

A new form that will allow students and parents to report bullying incidents anonymously is up and running on the Highland Middle School website.

The new form asks six questions: The report wants to know who is being bullied and who is bullying (names and grades), where and when it is happening, if others are witnessing the event (names and grades) and what exactly is going on in the bullying incident.

The form is the first of its kind in area public schools and may set a trend as a tool to help curb bullying. Administrators say the new bullying report did not stem from an increase in bullying incidents in the school but that a new strategic plan approved this school year lists “fostering safe and caring environments” as a goal. 

“This is a tool that works toward both goals,” said Lorenzo Cervantes, the dean of students for the middle school. “I don't think there is an increase in concern over bullying, but there is no amount of bullying that is acceptable.”

always has taken bullying reports seriously, noting that it would be irresponsible to say there was no bullying on school grounds. For years, has offered special programs for students on ways to stop bullying, as well as programs on how to address bullying for parents.

School Proactively Addressing Bullying

The bullying form was created to allow anonymous reporting, as the only method now requires students to fill out a form in the school office, Cervantes said. It also addresses the numerous bystanders who are not directly affected by bullying and may want to help but are unsure of how to go about it.

“We wanted to be proactive about preventing the effects, both tragic and minor, of bullying, and bring out the unheard voices of the witnesses,” Cervantes said. “Nationally, in 2007, close to 30 percent of all sixth- through 12th-graders reported being involved in bullying. It'd be irresponsible for us to not help those 30 percent who struggle socially.”

Cervantes talked to all three middle school grades during an indoor recess in November, and will inform parents in the school newsletter. Teachers were asked for their input before the form was made live. If the new reports help one person, Cervantes said school officials would consider it a great success.

Within the first week of going live with the form, students already are using the new format, said Assistant Principal Kerri Bongle.

“It does seem like it’s serving its purpose already,” Bongle said. “I hope students and parents use it to find a voice that was not available to them before.”

When talking with students, Cervantes emphasized that the reports will be completely anonymous.

“Nowhere on the form does it ask who you are,” he told students. However, he noted, identities will be revealed if someone abuses the system. “Nothing on the Internet is ever truly anonymous,” he reminded the students.

School Encourages Parents to Use Form

In encouraging the students to use the form, Cervantes said they also could show it to their parents.

“Parents can fill this out too, if you don’t want to,” he said. “This is my plea that you help me. This is a way, a measure, to be proactive. This is truly your way to be a super hero.”

Principal Jon Hallmark says this is another opportunity for students to report bullying behavior.

"Part of middle school is teaching students to advocate for themselves," Hallmark said. "Knowing how much middle school-age children are online, creating a forum like this just seemed like a natural fit."

Information provided by .