Petition on Bullying

Petition for Administrative Action to Address Bullying and Protect Student Well-Being at Mascoutah High School. This petition represents the collective concerns of numerous students at Mascoutah High School who believe that repeated incidents of bullying and cyberbullying within our school community have not been addressed with the seriousness, urgency, and accountability required to protect student well-being. Over time, a number of students have reported experiencing or witnessing harassment, intimidation, public humiliation, and online targeting that has caused significant emotional distress and psychological harm. These behaviors have allegedly occurred both in person on school grounds, and through digital communication platforms, contributing to a hostile social environment that has negatively impacted the mental health, academic performance, and sense of safety of members of the student body. Under Illinois law, bullying and cyberbullying are recognized as serious issues that schools are legally required to address. According to 105 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/27-23.7, bullying is defined as any severe or persuasive physical or verbal act, including written or electronic communication, directed at a student that can reasonably be expected to cause fear of harm, negatively affect a student’s mental health, interfere with academic performance, or prevent a student from fully participating in school activities. Importantly, Illinois law also specifies that cyberbullying occurring off campus can still fall under school jurisdiction if it creates a substantial disruption to the school environment or interferes with a student’s education. This means schools are obligated to intervene when such behavior impacts students or the educational setting. Furthermore, forms of online harassment can carry legal consequences beyond school discipline. Under Illinois criminal statutes, certain acts of electronic harassment or cyberstalking can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, including potential fines, and criminal penalties. These laws exist because cyberbullying has been shown to cause severe emotional distress and can significantly disrupt a victim’s ability to attend school or participate in daily activities. Despite these legal protections and policies, many students feel that the actions described above have not been sufficiently addressed by school administrators. When bullying is allowed to continue without meaningful consequences, it sends a harmful message that student safety and emotional well-being are not being prioritized. Therefore, we, the undersigned students of Mascoutah High School, respectfully request that school administrators take clear and decisive action to address this situation and reaffirm the school’s commitment to a safe learning environment. Specifically, we request that appropriate disciplinary measures be implemented, including the removal of the privilege of attending prom for the students involved. Prom is traditionally considered a reward for positive participation in the school community, and it should reflect the values of respect, responsibility, and integrity. Additionally, we request that the students involved provide a sincere and personal apology to those who have been affected by their actions. Such a step would serve as an acknowledgment of the harm caused and a meaningful effort toward restoring respect and accountability within the student body. The purpose of this petition is not to incite hostility or retaliation but to advocate for fairness, accountability, and the protection of all students. Every student deserves to attend school without fear of harassment, humiliation, or emotional harm. If meaningful corrective action is not taken, students have expressed their intention to organize and participate in a peaceful student walkout as a form of protest against the school’s failure to adequately address bullying. This action would be conducted respectfully and peacefully in order to draw attention to the seriousness of the issue and the need for stronger intervention. Mascoutah High School should be a place where respect, safety, and dignity are upheld for every student. By signing this petition, we collectively call upon school administrators to enforce existing policies, uphold the protection established by Illinois law, and ensure that all students can learn in an environment free from bullying and intimidation. The following names represent students who have either personally experienced bullying or know someone who has been affected and who support this call to accountability and action:

This petition was originally shared on Facebook by Mascoutah Student John Robert Wall and all student names were redacted before any public release.