Oak Grove School will not tolerate bullying — but we need to know about it when it happens. If something is going on, tell us. You can report anonymously.
Report an incident
Report an incident online — the form goes to the principal, and you may submit it anonymously. The more detail you include, the more we can help; there's an optional space for your name and contact information.
You can also talk to a person directly:
- Ryan Murray, Principal — (847) 367-4120, ext. 2006
- Karen Graham, Assistant Principal — (847) 367-4120, ext. 2705
What bullying is
Bullying happens when someone acts aggressively toward another person to gain power over them — a deliberate attempt to make someone feel uncomfortable or unhappy. It can look like:
- Name-calling, teasing, or rude gestures and nasty looks
- Spreading stories or rumors
- Leaving someone out of a group
- Hurting someone physically
- Harassment or any form of discrimination
Cyberbullying is willful, repeated harm inflicted through computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. A bystander — someone who stands by while bullying happens — is rarely truly neutral.
Warning signs
A child may be experiencing bullying if they suddenly don't want to go to school, have unexplained bruises, can't sleep, become moody, or often feel sick with vague symptoms.
What you can do
Listen and let your child know it isn't their fault, write down what happened and when, and report it to the school. You don't have to sort it out alone — that's what the office and the report form are for.
After a report is made
- The principal interviews the student(s) who reported.
- The student(s) involved are interviewed and their involvement is determined.
- Parents are contacted, and consequences are assigned to match the behavior.
The school investigates every report fairly, and its response may include mediation, disciplinary action, warnings, a social-skills program, counseling, and parent involvement.
Discrimination
Discrimination is the unfavorable treatment of someone based on prejudice — including on the basis of age; race or color; religion or creed; sex; sexual orientation; physical or mental disability; ethnic, national, or aboriginal origin; family or marital status; source of income; or political belief or activity.
Harassment
Harassment is a form of discrimination — behavior directed at and offensive to a person or group based on characteristics such as race, culture, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It may be verbal or physical, deliberate or unsolicited, and may be a single incident or a series.
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome comment, communication, action, or attention of a sexual nature directed at a person by someone who knows (or should know) it is unwelcome — or any conduct with a sexual component that creates an intimidating, demeaning, or offensive environment. Examples include staring or leering, unwelcome invitations, inappropriate touching, and suggestive remarks or jokes.
Facts & myths
- Myth: Only boys bully. Fact: Anyone can, regardless of gender.
- Myth: Bullies have low self-esteem. Fact: Many are popular with average-to-high self-esteem.
- Myth: Ignoring it makes it stop. Fact: Bullying is a repeated power imbalance and rarely resolves on its own.
- Myth: Reporting makes it worse. Fact: Research shows reporting reduces future bullying.
- Myth: Kids outgrow it. Fact: Some continue without intervention — but schools that act reduce bullying by 15–50%.