In response to South Hadley High School student Phoebe Prince’s bullying-prompted suicide on Jan. 14, Amherst Regional High School (ARHS) students and faculty are standing up against bullying and cyber bullying.

ARHS students joined together to remove a Facebook page harassing a peer in January.  Principal Mark Jackson noted that the page came down within a day after “students responded very strongly that this needs to come down.” 

A parent first reported the Facebook page to the school, said Jackson. He then addressed the issue with the student body – which prompted action.

Dean of Students for 13 years at ARHS, Mary Custard said, “half of the cases are dealt with students by themselves,” because students refuse to tattle.   

“Everyone should stand up against harassment,” said Custard.  “We support them and give punishment to those who refuse to stop bullying.”   

Jackson defined bullying as “coerciveness” through verbal, physical, or electronic means.  Although, he said, the medium through which bullying occurs isn’t necessarily important.

The ARHS handbook states “all members of the school community are expected to accept responsibility for their own actions; to express appropriately their own ideas without infringing upon the rights of others; to recognize the effect of their behavior on others; … to recognize and respect individual differences.”  

The Code of Conduct adds that “every student should have the opportunity to receive an education in an atmosphere free of physical and psychological disruption.  The school staff, students and parents/guardians must work together to create such an environment.  This must be a constant, on-going task for our community.” 

The first bullying offense results in either a two- or three-day suspension, and tightens from there. 

Jackson said his staff tries “to respond very quickly” and “take[s] allegations very seriously.” 

He added that “there are no changes in the rules,” but at the end of March he held  a faculty meeting and student assembly to “reflect on the rules we have in place.” 

The faculty discussion will focus on “signs of distress,” said Jackson.  There will be a “follow-up with the student body reminding them of the rules.” 

As dean, Custard handles disciplinary action.  “Each case is individual,” she said, but to investigate, she questions all students involved, staff, and guidance counselors.

“I think our students are pretty aware that there are consequences when they break the rules,” said Custard.

“Hopefully all of us have at least one adult in the building that we can trust,” added Custard, saying sometimes students can’t stop a bully without adult intervention. 

Jackson noted that in his six years as principal, he’s never encountered a serious case of harassment.   

Students know they can turn to any faculty for help, and “it will get relayed to a guidance counselor, a dean, or both,” said Jackson. 

Custard added that “bullying is an issue everywhere” and that it “doesn’t start in the high school. It’s found at every level.” 

“It’s horrible that we’ve lost young people,” said Custard,noting that the South Hadley incident and the Springfield death last year will “raise awareness” so that “no one is victimized to the point where they don’t want to live anymore.” 

Angela Hilsman can be reached at [email protected].