Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools issues statement on bullying
The Greater Jasper Consolidated School Corporation recently sent out a message regarding its resources and stance on reports of bullying within its schools.
It is important to note that the school corporation maintains a tipline for reporting incidents of bullying, and a link to the resource is below.
Here is the message.
Dear Parents and Students,
In light of recent questions from families regarding our district’s stance on bullying and how we respond when concerns are shared, we want to take a moment to address these important issues. We recognize that conversations about student safety and well-being can arise during difficult times, and we want to acknowledge the concern and care being expressed across our school community. Please know that our commitment to supporting students and ensuring a safe, respectful learning environment remains unwavering. Student safety and well-being are at the center of everything we do. Below is information about bullying, our response, and how families can partner with us to support our students.
Bullying is repeated, intentional behavior that causes physical or emotional harm and involves an imbalance of power. It may be verbal, physical, social, or digital. While all negative interactions between students are concerning, not every conflict or unkind exchange meets the definition of bullying. Distinguishing between typical conflict, inappropriate behavior, and true bullying can be complex, which is why we carefully review each situation. Every report of bullying is taken seriously, investigated, and addressed according to our policies. No child should ever feel unsafe or unheard, and we are committed to supporting students and families through these concerns.
Concern can also be reported directly to school administrators or through our anonymous tip line, available on the School Resource Officers page of our district website: https://www.gjcs.k12.in.us/departments/school-resource-officers. This tool allows students, parents, and community members to share information at any time so we can respond quickly and appropriately.
When a concern is reported, we meet with the students involved, gather information, review any evidence, and determine what supports or consequences are appropriate. We can only address situations that are brought to our attention. If we are not aware of something, we cannot intervene.
We also recognize how much cell phones, social media, and anonymous apps impact students’ emotional well-being. Many conflicts or hurtful interactions occur outside the school day, on personal devices, and on platforms we do not operate or have access to. We are not able to monitor or manage activity that occurs off campus and after school hours. In those cases, families may need to involve law enforcement or take steps directly with the app or service provider.
We have a network of caring professionals and trusted tools available to support you:
- School Administrators: Principals and assistant principals are here to listen, support, and respond when concerns arise. They work closely with staff and families to ensure a safe, respectful learning environment.
- School Social Workers: Our trained social workers are available to help students navigate emotional challenges, mediate conflicts, connect with resources, and support families.
- ParentGuidance.org: This free, confidential online resource provides expert-backed courses, tools, and support for parents on topics such as bullying, anxiety, depression, social media use, and building resilience. Families can explore resources at https://parentguidance.org/.
If you have questions or need to report a concern, please reach out to your school.
