School takes stand against bullying

By Sarah Leavenworth / Leader staff

ST. IGNATIUS — Educators at St. Ignatius schools are hoping a school-wide anti-bullying campaign will reinforce the district's message of the impact individuals can have on creating a positive, caring school climate.

"The message is the same for the whole district: We have a responsibility to treat each other with respect and to continue to create a caring and safe environment for all students," said St. Ignatius school counselor Carrie Stefanatz. "It is up to each one of us every day."

Today (Thursday, March 20), St. Ignatius administrators and counselors will launch a school-wide anti-bullying campaign asking students and staff to take a stand against bullying, according to school counselor Carrie Stefanatz. Stefanatz said elementary, middle and high school students will participate in multi-media assemblies focusing on positive choices and facilitating a safe and respectful school environment.

Teachers and counselors will be reinforcing the importance of responsibility and respect during the elementary assembly.

T-shirts will then be provided to students and staff, all of whom will be encouraged to take a stand for each other against bullying. Students will be asked to sign the back of their T-shirts as a pledge.

At 12:45, over 500 staff members and students from all grades will gather together on the school's football field to spell out an anti-bullying message.

Stefanatz said the counselor and administrative team typically observes an influx in bullying behavior during the late winter and early spring.

"This is the first year that we are asking students to stand up and pledge not to be a part of bullying and to share in the responsibility of continuing to create a safe and caring environment for everyone," said Stefanatz.

Stefanatz added that anti-bullying polices and procedures have been in place at St. Ignatius schools for years, and administrators and a counseling team meet regularly to address bullying.

"In our district we have a proactive, preventative program that is a part of our district's mission and school policy," Stefanatz said. "The basic premise is that every student has a right to attend school and to be treated with respect.

School staff, she said, were working on a comprehensive anti-bullying plan when they received information on the "Stand up and pledge" t-shirt campaign.

"Our team liked it because it focuses attention on each student and personal responsibility to report bullying behavior," said Stefanatz.

Stefanatz said St. Ignatius' anti-bullying message is instilled in students beginning on the first day of school each year.

"The administrative and counseling team have worked for years to create positive school climate that encourages students to help each other out when bullying occurs," said Stefanatz. "For St. Ignatius Schools, it is about continuing to build a positive, caring environment for all students."