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Since October is National Bullying Prevention Month, Niles Township High School District 219 is taking the occasion to remind students and families that the district strictly prohibits bullying, intimidation and harassment, all of which "diminish a student's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate," according to D219 Policy 7:180. "Preventing students from engaging in these disrupting behaviors and providing all students equal access to a safe, non-hostile learning environment are important District goals," the policy states.

According to Illinois School Code, bullying includes cyber-bullying and means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that: places a student in reasonable fear of harm to physical or mental health; causes a substantially detrimental effect on the student's health; substantially interferes with the student's academic performance; or substantially interferes with the student's ability to participate in or benefit from school services, activities or privileges.

Students are encouraged to immediately report bullying. A report may be made orally or in writing to the nondiscrimination coordinator, building principal, assistant principal, dean of students, complaint manager or any staff member with whom the student is comfortable speaking.

"Not only are we ready to be responsive to address any form of bullying, but we are also very proactive as a district to support our students' needs," said Antwan Babakhani, Niles West Assistant Principal for Student Services. "Bullying is stopped before it starts by talking about it and integrating social-emotional competencies in the classroom." 

"We work to build a safe community of engaged, empowered, and resilient students by supporting the development of self and social awareness, self-management, relationship building, and responsible decision making " said Laura Bolech, Niles North Assistant Principal for Student Services.