Madera High School: A Case Study

Throughout the years Madera High School (MHS) has witnessed an increase in cyberbullying and harassment, this year at least one class 9th-12th grades including 10 staff members, completed a survey which had a few unexpected results. The ten questions conducted for students only, were based around what happens on campus or online with classmates and what has been done to help or why there was no help. The responsive questions provided an extended point of view from a student witnessing another classmate being bullied and why there was help or why there was acknowledgement to help. The staff received a different set of 10 questions, which were established around what one believes the school should do or has done to help an individual that has

Out of the 214 students 157 have gone with never being cyberbullied before, leaving the other 57 already bullied or currently being bullied online. That number may not sound very high due to how many students claimed to never experience any type of bullying to one's self before, but that does not make the 57 students that are or have been bullied invisible. 57 out of 214 would leave the percentage of 27, meaning 27% of MHS students are/have once been the victim of cyberbullying; that percentage should honestly be held at 0%. 107 students confessed to witnessing one being cyberbullied and 104 saying no sign of cyberbullying has been noticed. Many students that noticed a classmate being bullied on line did not help the individual due to many different reasons. One of the male students that attends MHS named Dominic Chavira stated, “Yes, I have witnessed cyberbullying before but I didn't do anything because I didn't want to get involved.” Dominic was not the only student that confessed to not taking action due to not wanting to get involved in a situation. Some explained that the bullie would then target the one that steps in so it was better to let it be and not try, it seemed like a joke, did not know the other person well enough to step in and some even stated that the victim “deserved” it due to that person's actions that took place before being bullied. No individual deserves to be bullied or harassed no matter what was said/done. A different

Not all the staff members knew what steps to proceed when dealing with a bully/victim situation. 8 responded to knowing what to do but were not able to explain, 2 were unsure, Mr.Reyna who is an art teacher for all grades in the high school (9th-12th) stated, “1st we try to control it, 2nd contact counselors of student involved. Contact VP if it continues or becomes dangerous.” Not all teachers agreed to knowing these steps but explained how it is possibly true. When asked how often bullying/harassment occurs on campus there was a difference of ratings but the startling result was that a couple teachers marked the highest number possible, meaning 10. All agreed that if staff members and students cooperate and work together that Madera High would be a much stronger and bully/harassment free zone for every individual. Students are afraid to express thoughts and feelings in class due to the embarrassment if wrong. If bullying and harassment did not take place at the high school individuals would not give any thought to what others may think when answering a question wrong, therefore many would participate. When participating even if the student is incorrect, the right answer is eventually provided, leaving the student improved with that topic. Bullying and harassment does more damage than one tends to take any notice in. One of the