At its October 15 meeting, the Martinsville School Board discussed ongoing efforts to combat bullying within city schools, an issue of increasing concern nationwide. The board also elected several individuals to the Special Education Advisory Committee.
School officials from across the district shared details of their anti-bullying strategies. Ama Waller, principal of Martinsville Middle School, emphasized the importance of educating students on what constitutes bullying. “We will review what bullying is,” she said. The middle school has implemented several reporting tools, including a locked “little red mailbox” where students can submit anonymous reports, as well as an online form that can be accessed from home.
Martinsville schools have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, and staff regularly educate students on how to report incidents. Martha Hairston, a senior counselor at Martinsville High School, confirmed that students had recently received instruction on the consequences of bullying. The high school also partners with Piedmont Community Services and Dandelion Counseling to provide mental health support for students. “We will promote kindness and awareness,” said Waller, noting that students will sign pledges against bullying and drug use.
Waller also highlighted the need to address the underlying causes of bullying. “We want to get to the root of their hurt,” she said, acknowledging that many bullies may be struggling with their own emotional issues. Schools across the district are participating in Red Ribbon Week, an initiative focused on preventing drug use.
Efforts to teach kindness and problem-solving begin with the youngest students at Clearview Early Learning Center, where children commit to using kind words and learning positive ways to handle conflicts. “They commit each day to using kind words,” said Sheilah Williams, director of Clearview. The goal is to foster a caring environment and ensure students feel safe seeking help when needed.
More than 20 percent of youth in the United States are estimated to be involved in bullying each year, “either as a bully or a victim,” said board chairman Yvonne Givens, stressing the importance of the district’s anti-bullying efforts.
The board meeting also featured a presentation by ‘Just Call Granny,’ a local charity supporting families led by grandparents and alternative family structures.
In addition to recognizing National Anti-Bullying Month, the board celebrated the opening of Patrick Henry Elementary School’s Monarch Waystation and honored school principals with certificates and gift baskets for National Principal Appreciation Month.
