Parents, please discuss this matter with your child today.  I will follow up with the students about your conversation on Friday, March 25th.

South Loop School students have pledged to say NO to Bullying!

The South Loop Way promotes a school culture of acceptance, tolerance and respect. 

In learning how to communicate with one other it is natural for children to argue among friends, experience anger or frustration, and "play fight." Bullying, however, is different. A bully harasses and degrades a victim for the sole purpose of causing pain. Constant name calling, threats, physical abuse, isolation, gender bias, racial slurs, cyber/text disparagements and gossip are all signs of bullying and can leave a child feeling seriously hurt and depressed. In a national survey, one in sixteen students said they were bullied during a single school term. That means, statistically speaking, there is at least one scared, bullied child in every single classroom.  

Possible signs of child being bullied: 

• Seems afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus, or taking part in organized activities with peers (such as clubs) 
• Has lost interest in school work or suddenly begins to do poorly in school 
• Appears sad, moody, teary, or depressed when he or she comes home 
• Complains frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical ailments 
• Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams 
• Experiences a loss of appetite 
• Appears anxious and suffers from low self-esteem 

South Loop School's administration and staff are taking a strong stand against bullying. I am requesting that all parents have a discussion with their child about the different forms of bullying, how a bullied child might feel, how to report bullying and how to prevent bullying.   

Any South Loop student found participating in any form of bullying will receive discipline according to the Student Code of Conduct Handbook pages 26- 27, violation 5-4. 

We will continue to research resources and workshops addressing bullying prevention in which students and teachers can participate. 

Parent Resources:  

• Bullyproof Your Child for Life: Protect Your Child from Teasing, Taunting and Bullying for Good by David Haber and Jenna Glatzer. 
• The Wages of Bullying by the New York Times. February 22, 2011.  

Thank you for your continued support!

Tara Shelton

Principal

South Loop Elementary School

phone 773 534-8690

fax 773 534-8689

southloopschool.net