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Belleville diocese keeps eye on issues of bullying in catholic schools

By LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

The Diocese of Belleville, through its diocesan school board, adopted a policy in 2004 to design a “safe environment” for students to prevent Harassment, intimidation and bullying (policy 5142.2).

“This is an issue in all schools,” Thomas Posnanski, diocesan director of the Office of Education, said. “Our schools are always looking for ways to address (these) problems.”

In earlier years, bullying could be limited to a school day or a school function, which was bad enough, but now cyber bullying has expanded the time to “any time” with texting, facebook, emails and any other electronic communications available.

Canvassing Catholic school principals produced a number of responses, including one from Russ Hart, principal at Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo.

“Bullying is a serious problem in American schools and workplaces — now and in the past,” Hart said. “Internet, cell phones and our increased sensitivity to the subject has rightfully placed it center stage.”

At Holy Childhood in Mascoutah, principal Deacon Ron Karcher, said the school has a “comprehensive policy on bullying.”

The school had presentations for students and a faculty workshop and produced descriptions and a policy they put into place to deal with bullying.

At Cathedral Grade School in Belleville, principal Dr. Kay Bennett, said no bullying behaviors are tolerated.
The school has also instituted a way to single out students with a program to recognize “Random acts of Kindness.”

At Immaculate Conception School in Columbia, principal Mike Kish said “we have hit this topic hard over recent years,” and the school continues to monitor student behavior and raise awareness about problems of bullying.

Principal Sandra Kabat at St. Bruno’s in Pinckneyville said it is important to investigate any incident because it’s not always a clear case of bullying. Sometimes both parties are guilty of wrongdoing.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Herrin is developing a school policy this year, principal Cheryl Patterson-Dreyer said.
While not all schools were able to respond by press time, they are all aware of the problems associated with bullies and the victims of such behavior.

Although it is difficult to document bullying and respond as quickly and decisively as schools would like, one key factor is to report bullying quickly to school officials so they can take action.

“Applying a pastoral approach to the situation is important, especially in a Catholic school,” Hart said.

We will follow up this article with more comments from school officials.