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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2021)
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon BULLYING: Peer programs seek to help with problem solving Continued from page 14 rolling out a program called Sources of Strength (SOS), first at the high school, then the middle school. <How do we rely on kids9 strength as part of their prob- lem-solving so we can build a toolbox of responses and sup- port systems, not just adult support systems along the way?= he asked. SOS helps make progress in that regard. SOS works to prevent sui- cide, bullying, and substance abuse, according to program materials. It9s also <about building networks for kids to talk with both adult and peer networks and to build on their strengths on problem solv- ing,= according to Scholl. When a kid gets in a diffi- cult situation, ideally they will have people they know they can reach out to, people who recognize their strengths and potential, <instead of making poor choices.= Scholl is frank about the difficult task the district faces. <Our real work is, how do we support all kids in our buildings? How do we make all kids feel welcome? That is the interesting or challenging work that is never finished.= He said, <We know that kids who are more con- nected to their systems are more successful; that9s the support we need to provide. The more I learn the more I understand it9s messy and interconnected.= Scholl and the district have become more immersed in these issues since Oregon Department of Education (ODE) investigated the Natalie Soleim case and found evidence of discrimination. ODE mandated a follow-up timeline of items for the dis- trict to achieve, along with meetings between the district, an ODE representative, and the Soleim family. During this process, Scholl said, <I reflect more on my childhood and things we would not even say today that were part of the vernacular... grandparents and the way they would refer to things.= Changes in how people speak represent <a reflection of how far we9ve come, yet we9ve still not come far enough.= For parents of kids who experience bullying or harass- ment, Scholl encourages reporting first to the teacher involved. He said of the pro- cedures for reporting and then following up on an inci- dent, <I believe they should be clear. We9ve done work to improve our website, to put up information about what the next step is or communi- cate that verbally when people come to us.= On the district9s website at www.ssd6.org, a search on the word <bully= brings up a link to a page titled <Equity, Title IX, and Discrimination.= Names, phone numbers, and email addresses are listed for district staff members who handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination. Numerous PDF files are available for download, often thick with legal and bureaucratic language. Scholl acknowledged there was room for continuing improvement. Scholl was asked how people in the wider commu- nity can help Sisters School District improve the learn- ing environment in terms of bullying and discrimination. What can individuals do if they feel concerned? <I think the first thing is to not engage in rumor-spread- ing,= he said. <That9s the chal- lenge from the District side, is that we cannot talk about other people9s children.= He said it9s hard to respond to the rumor mill, and hard to promote approaching the prin- cipal every time a new rumor comes up. <I don9t want our adminis- trators responding to rumors all the time instead of really actively supporting kids,= he said. <If we play the Telephone Game on social media... an issue [such as a bullying incident] becomes much different than it really was.= For those that are really concerned, dialogue with a staff member is a good step. <Typically we like to respond to issues at the lowest level,= he said. A concerned community member should first approach a staff person involved with an incident, such as a teacher. Scholl said if someone has a question about a policy, or wants to address a hypo- thetical situation about how the school would respond to a particular type of bully- ing or discrimination among students, they should also approach a staff member. Scholl stressed the impor- tance of each building 4 meaning each of the district9s three separate schools4hav- ing its own chain of com- munication. Phone numbers are listed at http://ssd6.org/ contact/. <I think your community is your strength,= said Scholl. For example, <the outreach around some of the men- tal health issues that have impacted this community, that9s not only a school issue.= He noted that communities across the nation have dem- onstrated to support equity changes. <That9s the strength of the Sisters community,= Scholl said. <We don9t always agree on every issue, but we do agree on: how do we support kids? Ultimately that9s what it9s about, at least for us in education 4 supporting our kids.= 19 The Nugget Newspaper Crossword By Jacqueline E. Mathews, Tribune News Service — Last Week’s Puzzle Solved — This Week’s Crossword Sponsors Greg Wieland L.Ac. Practicing since 1989 352 E. Hood Ave., Ste. E Sisters Acupuncture Center CCB#220624 D ESIGNERS & B UILDERS of D ISTINCTION 541-549-1523 Residential Remodels New Construction Water & Fire Damage Repairs Commercial Tenant Improvements Handyman Services www.laredoconstruction.com • 541-549-1575
