FLINT, Michigan — The Flint School District is launching a new tool to combat bullying in schools.
Starting Jan. 31, students will be able to report bullying via a dedicated, confidential telephone line.
“The hot line provides another avenue for our students,” said Larry
Watkins, director of Pupil Personnel Services in a news release. “Of course, we urge all
of our students to notify a teacher, a principal, their parents, a
safety advocate or even a maintenance worker if they’re being threatened
or bullied in school. But if, for some reason, those options aren’t
suitable for a student, we now have a hot line for that student to call
us directly.”
FILEA stock image of a telephone.
The anti-bullying hot line – 810-391-3989 – will be staffed by a
district employee from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Callers
will be asked a few questions about their complaint and the information will be entered into a report.
The district will then investigate the alleged offense. The Office
of Pupil Personnel Services will also contact the parents or guardians
of both victim and perpetrator in the case.
Those calling outside the regular business hours
will be able to leave a voice message.
The district reports is will allow anonymous
calls and complaints, but the caller should be
willing to provide enough detail to facilitate an investigation.
The idea for an anti-bullying hot line came from the district’s 2011 Bullying Awareness Week in November.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/01/flint_school_district_sets_up.html