Ken-Ton allows kids to report bullying online

KENMORE, N.Y. (RELEASE) - Bullying incidents with the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District community can now be directly and anonymously reported to administrators through the click of a mouse. A new link of the front page of the District’s website, www.kenton.k12.ny.us , allows students and staff to report bullying incidents in and outside of the school district community.

“Bullying will not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form in our District. We have already suspended one student through a confidential tip that was sent in through our website. Students need to know we take this issue seriously, and we will use all technology means at our disposal to stop bullying, and discipline those responsible for harassment,” said Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District Superintendent Mark P. Mondanaro.

The new on-line initiative to help keep students safe, and foster a culture where children can focus on learning to the best of their abilities, supports part of the District goals to maximize technology to “ensure safe learning environments.”

“We don’t pay our District Goals lip service. The Board of Education is serious and passionate about fulfilling those goals that benefit students and staff. Technology is used an important teaching tool in classrooms across the District. Now we are using our District website to stop bullying right in its tracks,” said Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District Board of Education President Bob Dana.

The on-line bullying form can be found towards the top of the main page of the District’s website. Those reporting incidents are provided with a brief introduction to let students know all tips are held in strict confidence:

The form below is provided for you to inform us about any situation or problem that you are having or know information about regarding being bullied or harassed. This can apply to you as a victim or an incident that you have witnessed. Your information is anonymous and will seen only by our two high school police resource officers and principals. These situations can occur in school or out of school. Please provide as much information as you can so that the problem can be addressed directly. Click on the link below to go to the form.

The link directs users to an eleven question “Bullying Incident Report” that allows people to provide information about the incident. Students can report being the victim or
witness of a bullying incident.

The form allows users to anonymously provide the nature of the incident, provide names and schools of those involved, and whether or not an adult is aware of the situation. Those filling out the form have the option whether or not they wish to leave any identifiable information.

“We are going to continue being pro-active in using all the tools necessary to weed bullying out of our schools and community. No student should have to endure the pain of being picked on. Our message is clear: if you decide to bully another student, you will be caught, and if appropriate, you will be disciplined accordingly,” added Mondanaro.