‘Shameful’: School officials try to shut down Highland Park High School cyberbullying ‘tradition’

Social media activity involving Highland Park High School students has drawn condemnation from school district officials.

Township High School District 113 Superintendent Dr. Chala Holland, who is in her first school year with D113, delivered a lengthy and powerful statement during the board of education’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, calling the “pages of hurtful, harmful” content “unacceptable” and “shameful.”

“Ensuring that our district promotes and supports students in being their best selves and engaging in a healthy manner means there are behaviors that simply cannot be permitted, supported or encouraged,” Holland said. “Bullying in any form will never be allowed, tolerated, celebrated or acceptably minimized.”

The school district confirmed that Holland was referencing posts and related comments made in a private Facebook group beginning Aug. 30. As part of the activity, numerous local students reportedly were identified by name and criticized and bullied. Holland said the Facebook group contained, among other problematic content, “egregious sexual and profanity-laced writings,” in which students targeted other students.

Holland said the district has heard from many parents and students negatively impacted by the social media activity. She said students have sought mental-health support or do “not want to come to school because of this behavior.”

The district would not answer if any students were disciplined as a result of the Facebook activity.

“There is an impact to this behavior,” Holland said. “… No student in our district should ever have to worry about being a target of this. No student should have to make choices around ways to manage harmful behaviors intentionally inflicted on them. This behavior has impeded some students’ ability to engage in learning and to actually participate in school. It’s unacceptable.”

The behavior, however, is not new in District 113. Holland referred to the Facebook group and its posts as a tradition coinciding with the beginning of the football season; though, D113 Chief Communications Officer Karen Warner said the behavior cannot be attributed to the Highland Park football team or any singular group of students.

Holland said in the past the district has not done enough in response to the posts, saying a “history of secrecy” and “various (district) stakeholders” have enabled the conduct that has harmed the school communities.

Under new leadership, including Holland and first-year HPHS Principal Holly Fleischer, the district attempted to get ahead of the problem. The morning of Aug. 30 Fleischer sent a mass message to the community directly addressing the problem, warning of “cyberbullying,” detailing HPHS’s values and requesting the community’s cooperation.

“By embracing these principles, we can create a supportive in-person and online community that reflects the best of Highland Park High School. We’re committed to addressing these issues promptly and effectively, but we need your help,” she wrote.

Fleischer also listed four district policies that may be applicable if students participate in online harassment and misconduct.

Warner said the toxic Facebook activity happened anyway, leading to a followup mass email from Fleischer and Holland’s statement on Tuesday.

Fleischer wrote in her second message, “This behavior not only violates multiple Board policies, it violates our values as a school community, and simple human decency. We will not tolerate this behavior at Highland Park High School.”

Fleischer said in the message that the school met with students following the creation of the Facebook group and in advance of HPHS’s first football game on Aug. 30. Resources were also communicated. Fleischer urged those seeking support from the school to contact Jennifer Ginopolis, chair of counseling, at jginopolis@dist113.org or Assistant Principal Joshua Seldess at jseldess@dist113.org.

Additionally, students and parents can report issues to district administrators or via the school’s anonymous tip line: (844) 224-1521 and online portal.

“As a community, we need to promote practices that uplift and encourage our students, not further inflict trauma on each other,” Holland said. “We need to promote healing, not hurting one another for a laugh, revenge or simply being mean. We should never promote the maintenance of traditions that inflict harm on students in hateful ways.

“This behavior has had a devastating impact on some of our students and families. I want to acknowledge that. While it may not be yours, it is others and we should be able to see outside of our limited views and experiences and care about our neighbors and their wellbeing.”

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