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  • Duncan High School students prove strength in numbers is one of the best ways to counteract bullying. Derrick Miller/The Duncan Banner

    Duncan High School students prove strength in numbers is one of the best ways to counteract bullying.
September 3, 2012

Strength in numbers

Duncan students, faculty discuss school bullying

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Editor’s note: This is the first in an ongoing series of articles that will be published throughout this school year recognizing the issues of bullying.

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Duncan students are taking a stance against bullying by facing their fear of telling others and finding strength in numbers.

Students at both the middle school and high school campuses realize some of the work has to be done by themselves.

The school district noted there have only been three severe cases when bullying has been a problem in recent years.

But the campus principals acknowledge there is more bullying happening than they can catch.

Part of the situation revolves around student silence. By speaking up, some of the bullying problems can be thwarted, agreed students and teachers.

“In the end, when the dust settles, it’s always going to be there,” Graham Cox, Duncan eighth-grader, said. “It’s questionable about whether to stand up or not.”

The school district has even passed more rules and regulations against bullying, ranging from physical assault to online harassment.

But students are concerned the increased focus on bullying won’t mean anything if there is no      follow through by teachers and  students.



Duncan Middle School

At the middle school, students see bullying in the hallways during the period between classes.

Cox, who was joined by fellow eighth-grade student leaders Kenzie Rains, Noah McGhghy and Jessica Hale, recognize that the school has taken a stance against bullying.

The issue of bullying was first addressed in 2001, when the campus was located where the current EDGE building is.

Then principal Mike Reding saw the need for establishing rules against bullying.

At the beginning of every year, the school touches base with students to discuss bullying.

The school is also set to have another school-wide bullying discussion in the coming weeks.

Students also said that administrator’s words only have so much effect.

Cox described bullying at the middle school as “hazing gone too far.”

And with new technology, bullying tactics have adapted and changed from just actual physical campus aggression to another level.

The students said one of the biggest bullying tools has become social networking sites, including Facebook.

Students that The Banner spoke with said they have seen bullying in the hallways.

Two of four students whose identities are protected, admitted to being bullied either in elementary school or at the middle school.

Even the tools designed to help catch bullying haven’t been completely successful, they said.

When the students were in sixth grade, the middle school had a bully box, where students could put in names of people who were harassing them.

Although the students liked the idea, the bully box was abused when random items or names were put into the box.



Elementary Versus Middle School Bullying

The students said bullying is worse at the middle school level than it was at the elementary level.

Hale said it is more severe at the middle school level because there is more of a drive to belong or fit in.

At the elementary level, students call each other names. In middle school, things are more vicious.

“They can say things that hurt worse,” Hale said. “They’re trying to find out who they are. They’re trying to fit in.”

Cox said middle school is the transitional years, and that’s when students find out who their friends really are. But words said at that level can have a life-long impact.

“It can definitely can last forever,” he said.



What Can Be Done

The students would like to see more teacher participation in helping curve the bullying situation.

“Teachers can definitely be more active,” Cox said.

Hale said some people are pushovers and decline to get involved. But if others get involved, it can help deter bullies. After all, there is strength in numbers, they agreed.

Rains said the best thing students can do, whether they are being bullied or seeing bullying happen, is to speak up.

If they let their voices be heard, the school will be able to do something.

DMS Principal Mike Toone said most instances of bullying aren’t caught in the initial stages because students are too afraid to speak up.

“They need to speak up for themselves,” Rains said.

Hale said the students don’t even have to go to an adult when it comes to discussing bullying.

“At least tell a close friend,” she said.

Cox had similar thoughts. He said students have voices, and they need to use them.

“As scary as it is, be loud about it,” he said. “Don’t let it go unnoticed. That’s when it comes to worse results. Make the problem public.”

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