Student A was a typical teenager. He liked to hang out with friends, skate on his long board, go hunting and fishing with his dad, and play video games. He enjoyed these things up until he took his own life on February 12, 2015, at the age of 16, after enduring horrible bullying by a fellow student. It is unclear at this time if Student B received any disciplinary action even though he has admitted to bullying Student A, and other students, repeatedly.

At the beginning of every year, every student in the school is required to sign the student handbook code of conduct, stating that “Participants shall practice good citizenship in all environments respecting the property and the rights of others” (High School Code of Conduct 69). Any violation of this, it states, results in suspension of all competitions, meetings, events, contests, and post-season events for up to 50% of the school year; yet, this has not been carried out in this situation.

Another infringement of the code of conduct is the Verbal Confrontation rule. This states that a verbal confrontation is “A face-to-face hostile disagreement resulting in one or more individuals feeling fearful, belittled, intimidated, or disrespected” (High School Code of Conduct 65). In Student A’s case, it also resulted in a hopelessness that this problem would never get better and the only way out of it was to commit suicide. If this continues, the same thing will happen to more students. This is why clear and specific rules need to be created, not only to punish those who don’t follow them, but to help those who do.

Student B isn’t the only student who bullies others at school. While most people choose to ignore it, pretend it doesn’t happen, or stay a bystander, bullying is a major problem that happens at the school. Bullying will continue, and possibly get worse, because Student B did not face punishment. This is a moment we need to take action to stop the bullying and prove that students, staff, and administrators will not tolerate it. This is the time for the school district to prove they are serious about putting an end to bullying. The Code of Conduct states multiple punishments for occurrences, such as:

· 1-10 days PMA/AMA/BSS/IBS/SS/ Suspension

· Loss of privileges

· Community service

· Recommendation for expulsion

(Student Handbook 65)

Yet, none of these actions were taken. One common phrase that you can find all over the school, from the backs of t-shirts to the backs of the IDs, is “Together, We can Prevent Suicide.” In order to live up to this, “together” has to mean everyone. In order to end bullying and the harassment that goes on at schools, it will take the full cooperation of the students, the teachers, the office staff, the secretaries, and the custodians. Most of all, though, it will take the full cooperation of the school administrators.

"St. Charles CUSD 303." St. Charles CUSD 303. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.

Student Handbook: http://north.d303.org/sites/north.d303.org/files/pdf/North%20Student%20Handbook.pdf