OXFORD – No one needs to tell students what bullying is. They see it everyday in the hallways, in locker rooms, on the playground, in classrooms, in emails, text messages, and on social networking sites. What they don’t necessarily know is how to put a stop to it.
“It’s an issue at all schools,” explained Christine Pierce. Since September, the Oxford High School principal has made it her mission to empower students to take a stand against bullying rather than view it as something which needs to be endured as a rite of passage. To accomplish this, she is working closely with the building’s faculty and staff, as well as enlisted the help of the school’s resource officer, Trooper Richard Siefert.
To include students in the discussion, Pierce and Siefert have been going into classrooms to speak with small groups of students about bullying and its effect on the climate and culture of Oxford High School.
“They have to be part of the solution,” said Siefert, a 24-year veteran of the New York State Police who has spent the last 6 years as a resource officer for Oxford and Sherburne-Earlville.
The message he and Pierce have for students is clear.
“This is your school. You control the climate,” Siefert told a group of freshmen during a classroom visit on Oct. 14. “Don’t laugh, don’t participate and don’t perpetuate bullying in any way.”
Bullying can come in many forms, he explained. While physical intimidation and name-calling are common “techniques” employed by bullies, exclusion, intimidating looks, invasions of personal space, the spreading of rumors, harassing text messages or posting on social networking sites can be just as hurtful.
“You see these every day in school,” said Pierce, who asked students what they do when they witness such harassment taking place.
“A lot of people just stay away,” one female student replied.
Rather than just letting it happen, Pierce wants students to take a stand against it. Not by intervening themselves, but by telling an adult.
“You choose who that is,” said Siefert. “You pick the adult you feel confidant will or can help you.”
