They don’t know the extent of it, but they know it happens every day. They don’t have specific dollar figures, but they know it’s costing the community. What is it? Bullying.

Teachers at West Salem High School have formed a group to study the problem and explore prevention of and education about bullying to the community.

The group, called IMPACT, which stands for I am a person acting with courage and teamwork, have planned several presentations and ongoing assembly activities once school is in session. And they are having 800 t-shirts made with the logo of IMPACT for students to wear to the assemblies and activities.

Jane Macdonald, a math teacher, said the idea came at an in-service staff meeting about goal setting for the coming year. One of the goals was about school climate. Some voiced concerns over bullying and what could be done about it.

One teacher had even said her daughter had been suffering with bullying. Through the discussion, a committee was formed and Sherri Wizner, K-1 looping teacher, volunteered to chair the committee.

Macdonald said they weren’t sure how big the problem is but wants to be proactive about it.

National studies show the problem is hard to quantify. Nevertheless, a significant portion of students feel vulnerable on school property or getting to and from school.

The latest statistics from the National Center for Education Statistics show that in 1999 5 percent of students ages 12 through 18 sometimes or most of the time feared they were going to be attacked or harmed at school. In 1999, 9 percent of students in the sixth grade feared for their safety at school, compared with 3 percent of students in grade 12. Five percent of students age 12 through 18 avoided one or more places in school.

Part of the problem with tracking the extent of the problem is agreeing on the definition of bullying and separating it from threats and actions that rise to the level of criminal activity, such as using a knife or threatening sexual assault.

Another major problem is that victims of bullying are too scared to speak up and tell anyone for fear of further bullying.

Regardless, West Salem is moving to provide education about bullying to students and parents. The costs for not doing anything are great. Victims of bullying are more likely than other children to be depressed, lonely, anxious, have low self-esteem, feel unwell, and think about suicide. Stresses of being bullied can interfere with student’s engagement and learning in school. Students who are bullied may fear going to the school, using the bathroom and riding on the school bus.

The IMPACT committee has arranged for Jim Jelinske, a bullying prevention speaker will start off the new year with a presentation to staff on September 10, 2008 and a presentation to parents and community members that evening.

In addition to speakers, each month the committee and student representatives will plan school-wide pep assemblies that will involve activities that will promote respect and kindness. Students and staff will wear IMPACT t-shirts on the day of the planned assembly.

The committee has received a grant from the school board to cover costs of speakers and resources for assemblies and classroom activities, but they are also trying to raise $3,200 so that each student can get a t-shirt.

The IMPACT committee plans to invite some students to serve on the committee to provide input into the types of activities to include and to help plan those activities.

For more information about the project, or to make a donation, contact Jane Macdonald at macdonal@gmail.com or call Sherri Wizner at 781-4613. Checks may be made out to WSES-IMPACT.