What are the problems and perspectives?
Jerica's mom's problem
She is very worried about her daughter's safety. She wants Principal Weather's to expel Jack because of the severity of his actions.
Jerica and her Mother
(1) Jack's consequences
-Decisions regarding Jack's consequences are confidential as are any other student.
(2)Make sure Jerica feels safe.
- Jerica will complete a "my side" form
-For now, Jack will not be in the class for three days.
-After all sides/perspectives have been investigated and communicated, Jerica will be able to decide if she would like Jack to be removed from the class.
-(2)Helping them see her contribution to the situation, and how her actions were not acceptable, and why.
-Read the messages Jerica wrote about Jack to Jerica's mother, and explain to her this pattern of behavior from Jerica.
-Explain to Jerica that her persistent comments about Jack, and post on social media, are also considered bullying.
-Talk to Jerica about the organization "Racheal's Challenge". Show her "Racheal's video" from the website
-(3) Consequences
Jerica will become one of the student representatives on the newly formed Anti-Bullying committee and help oversee the implementation of the Rachel's Challenge Program
Investigation
Discussed with two assistant principals
The consensus was after all evidence is gathered and interviews are complete, it should be turned over to the SRO officer.
At that time, a threat assessment should be administered with Jack.
Which theory did we apply to much of our solution process?
Utilitarianism
Jerica's problem
She feels threatened.
She doesn't want to be around Jack at school anymore.
Jack
(1) Understand the severity of his actions
-Explain to Jack, there is a difference between bullying statements and a threat of severe violence. Because of the severity of the threat, we will be turning the social media posts and all other information to the SRO officer. Law enforcement will determine if this was a criminal act.
(2) Acknowledge Jack's feelings and get to the core of what triggered him.
-complete a "My Side" form
-Ask counselor or school psychologist to perform a threat assessment
(3) Consequences
-Three day ISS
-Arrange anger management, and/or other types of restorative management measures to help Jack learn how to deal with his anger in a better way
Learning by Doing
- Because there is no policy and no mention of anti-bullying resources in the school, we felt reactive to the situation.
-In an effort to be proactive, we realized we would need to cultivate a culture of kindness and sensitivity as it relates to social media and bullying.
-"If moral virtue is something we learn by doing, we have somehow to develop the right habits in the first place" (Sandel, 2009)
Which philosopher influenced our "Learning by Doing approach?
Aristotle
Jack's problem
-Jack maintains that he is the victim and the post was in response to of bullying, and his post was in response to Jericas postJack made a social media post that insinuated violence.
He communicated the threat of bodily harm to a classmate.
Administration/Student Body/Stakeholders
(1) No policy
- Create a committee to analyze various resources and perspectives in order to develop a policy.
-Once established, the policy needs to be clearly communicated to parents, and the student body
(2) Culture of the school
-Establish an anti-bullying committee. The first course of action is to implement Rachel's Challenge program
-Create a mentoring program. This would allow high school students to mentor elementary school or middle school children who have been victims of bullying. This could also be a "consequence" of demonstrating bullying behavior.
-In weekly homeroom meetings, the focus will be on anti-bullying videos, activities, lessons, and responsible social media posts.
-Find community resources and partners to offer support and insight.
h community
What is the administration's problem regarding the students?
Principal Weather's
Give due process to each student and conduct an investigation.
Determine the disciplinary action needed in this situation.
Communicate fairly and effectively with both sets of parents.
Establish a school-wide policy for this unprecedented disciplinary action.
What is the administration's problem regarding the parents?
Communicating openly and fairly about the investigation with both sets of parents.
Thoroughly explaining the facts of the case as well as actions considered and the reasons for actions taken to both sets of parents.
What is the administration's problem regarding all stakeholders?
Principal Weather's is tasked with making the appropriate decision in this unchartered territory that will set a precedent for his high school going forward.
He has to create clear guidelines and expectations dealing with this form of bullying, cyberbullying, and communicating deadly threats.
The administration has to be proactive in establishing a culture-sensitive to bullying of all forms and aware of the consequences.