Forest Hills parents, students continue call for more action vs. bullying; district highlights range of mental health supports

Apr. 12—SIDMAN, Pa. — For the second month in a row, parents and students attended the Forest Hills School District board meeting en masse Thursday to call on district leaders to do more to end bullying.

Tanya Eppley-Lunetto, who lost her son to suicide in March, leading to demands for change from some community members, said she doesn't think the initiatives implemented since the last gathering address the root cause of many issues — bullying.

"I've lost everything and you're not listening," she told the board.

Before the public comment period, Assistant Superintendent Rob Dill provided a presentation on the numerous mental health and counseling programs available at Forest Hills, and said administrators are working toward a better district.

That included meeting with people who spoke at the March meeting to hear more about what can be done to improve Forest Hills; having students build "Need a Friend, Be a Friend" benches to place in the schools; creating door hangers to let students know which teachers and staff they can speak to if they're struggling; and installing anonymous drop-boxes for suggestions and those seeking help.

Administrators have also streamlined the student complaint procedure, Dill said, and the Never Alone program has been created in the high school, using student-run groups in a push to change the building culture and eliminate bullying.

Additionally, elementary school faculty and staff stepped up to create the No Lone Rangers program, which is modeled after the high school's program and includes a focus on encouraging others, building relationships and leading by example. The program is aimed at fifth- and sixth-graders for now.

"We're trying not to let anything, perhaps, fall through the cracks," Dill said.

Eppley-Lunetto said she sees everything the district is doing, but doesn't believe these initiatives would have helped her 17-year-old son. She instead called for more discipline for bullies, as did other speakers.

At least four people — students and parents — advocated that a zero tolerance policy be put in place.

Among them was Joe Wright, who spoke about his daughter's struggles and her need to exit traditional education.

"I love the programs you guys are getting in place. That is good," he said, "but that is not getting to the heart of the problem."

Wright asked the school leaders to hold students accountable for their actions by implementing out-of-school suspensions and prohibiting them from participating in school activities.

"Let's make Forest Hills the leading district," he said. "Let's start doing something about it."

Dawn Freeman agreed with the need for accountability. She told the crowd of roughly 100 people that the only way to stop bullying is to make students responsible for what they're doing and encouraged change at home to help battle the problem.

Two students also called on the district leaders to do more, stating what's been done thus far is not enough.

Parent Jennifer Henninger said she feels like the parents' and residents' voices have been heard, but still called for change, specifically in high school leadership, as did at least one other parent. Henninger held up a petition that she said was signed by more than 600 residents who asked for high school Principal Rebecca Roberts to resign.

Another parent who spoke defended Forest Hills, telling the crowd that she still supports the district and what it has to offer.

Board President Galen George thanked everyone for their comments and reassured them their statements were not falling on deaf ears.

"We are listening," he said.

Superintendent David Lehman said district leaders are pleased they are able to "come together and work with the community to make Forest Hills a better place."

"It truly takes a strong community to make change," he said.