NLSD:
Bullying, Smiling, and the Facts
I am Erik Bentzel, Superintendent at Northern Lebanon School District. I am responding to the LD News article of May 15, 2018, which asserted incorrectly that our students are “required tosmile while walking the hallways between classes, while bullying incidents are being ignored byadministrators.”
Because the LD News did not inform us beforehand about specific allegations to be included in the article, the School District was as shocked as everyone else to read statements that bear little semblance to actual facts.
Here are the facts:
Fact: Students at Northern Lebanon are not required or forced to smile, and students are not disciplined if they do not smile. That is, of course, patently absurd. There is no policy, rule, practice or custom involving anything of the sort. Although of course we love to see kids smile, the report in the LD News that smiling is somehow mandated at Northern Lebanon is simply wrong.
Fact: We strive to support our students. If a student feels or acts threatened, confused, or basically out of sorts, we look toward our counseling department for support. We understand the value of providing our students a safe environment to have a conversation with a qualified counselor. Our goal is to have the student meet with guidance within 24 hours of a referral, if that is possible. However, there are occasions when that timeline cannot be met. When this occurs, we do have backup plans.
Fact: Unfortunately, bullying occurs at school districts throughout America. Northern Lebanon is no exception. However, we by no means condone bullying. We investigate every bullying allegation until we are satisfied we have all the facts.
Fact: Sometimes the facts underlying a bullying situation are simple and straightforward, and can be dealt with swiftly. However, very often the facts are more complex, just like many interpersonal relationships. Where the facts are complex, and the answers are not simple and straightforward, it does not mean the school district is uncaring or is ignoring the situation.
Fact: With the ever increasing use of social media, most of our bullying allegations involve situations that occur outside the school day. This makes an investigation even more challenging. However, we have our own School Police Officer who assists in difficult investigations. Mike Koval is a 25-year retired State Police Officer. In addition, he attends yearly anti-bullying seminars. Mike has spent this past year, along with our social worker, researching all the anti- bullying programs available, and has helped to design one that meets our particular needs. This program will be implemented next school year.
Fact: Sometimes parents of students become frustrated if they are not told about consequences imposed upon other students. I empathize with these parents. Students and parents involved in bullying incidents often feel they do not get the whole story. Privacy regulations, though, simply
