Bullying

If you have concerns that your child may be experiencing bullying, we encourage you to contact the school as soon as possible.  You do not need to determine whether the behavior meets the definition of bullying before reaching out.

You may report concerns by:

• Contact a school administrator by phone or email.
• Contact your child's school counselor.
• Reach out to your child's teacher, who can help connect you with the appropriate staff.
• Submit a report through Speak Up, Speak Out Wisconsin, the state's anonymous school safety reporting system.

There is no wrong place to start.  If you're unsure who to contact, reach out to any trusted school staff member, and we will ensure your concern is directed to the appropriate person.

We strive to acknowledge all reports and begin the follow-up process within one school day (24 hours).

Contact Information

• Pupil Services Team
• Staff Directory
• Speak Up, Speak Out Wisconsin

When Should I Contact the School?

If you believe your child may be experiencing bullying, we encourage you to contact the school as soon as possible. You do not need to determine whether the behavior meets the legal or district definition of bullying before reaching out. If something doesn't seem right, we want to know.

Early communication allows us to better understand the situation, provide support for your child, and address concerns before they escalate.

Consider contacting the school if:

• Your child does not want to attend school because of the situation.
• Your child is experiencing repeated negative interactions with another student.
• The situation is affecting your child's daily routines, such as sleeping, eating, personal hygiene, or socializing.
• Your child is withdrawing from activities they typically enjoy.
• You have concerns about your child's physical or emotional well-being.
• You are unsure whether the behavior is bullying but would like guidance.

How Do I Report a Concern?

You may report concerns in any of the following ways:

• Contact a school administrator by phone or email.
• Contact your child's school counselor.
• Reach out to your child's teacher, who can help connect you with the appropriate staff.
• Submit a report through Speak Up, Speak Out Wisconsin, the state's anonymous school safety reporting system.

There is no wrong place to start.  If you're unsure who to contact, reach out to any trusted school staff member, and we will ensure your concern is directed to the appropriate person.

We strive to acknowledge all reports and begin the follow-up process within one school day (24 hours).

Contact Information

• Pupil Services Team
• Staff Directory
• Speak Up, Speak Out Wisconsin

When a concern about bullying is reported, our goal is to respond promptly, gather all relevant information, support students, and communicate with families throughout the process. Every situation is unique, but the process typically follows these steps:

Report Received

A student, parent, staff member, or community member reports a concern. Reports may be made in person, by phone, email, or through an online reporting system.

Initial Review

A school administrator reviews the information, assesses any immediate safety concerns, and determines the next steps. If there is an immediate risk to a student's safety, action is taken right away.

Investigation

The school gathers information by speaking with the students involved, witnesses, and staff members, and by reviewing any available evidence (such as emails, text messages, or screenshots). Every report is taken seriously and reviewed objectively.

Support for Students

Our priority is ensuring students feel safe and supported throughout the process. Depending on the situation, supports may include counseling, check-ins with trusted adults, safety planning, schedule adjustments, conflict resolution, or other appropriate interventions.

Determination

After reviewing all available information, the school determines whether the reported behavior meets the definition of bullying under district policy and Wisconsin law. Regardless of the determination, the school will address behaviors that negatively impact the learning environment.

Communication with Families

We communicate with the families of the students involved regarding the investigation process, findings, and next steps. We will explain how we are working to support your child and maintain a safe school environment.

Please note that student privacy laws prevent schools from sharing disciplinary consequences or confidential information about other students.  However, we will communicate the steps we are taking to support your child and maintain a safe learning environment.

Follow-Up & Monitoring

Our work does not end when the investigation is complete. School staff continue to monitor the situation, check in with students, and provide additional support as needed to help ensure the behavior does not continue.

Our Commitment

We encourage families to report concerns early—even if you are unsure whether a situation meets the definition of bullying. Early communication allows us to better understand concerns, provide support, and address issues before they escalate. We are committed to partnering with families to ensure every student feels safe, respected, and ready to learn.

The following resources provide helpful information for preventing, recognizing, and responding to bullying:

• Stopbullying.gov - Information on bullying prevention, warning signs, and resources for families.
• How to Talk About Bullying? - Tips for starting conversations with your child.
• What You Can Do? - Practical strategies for supporting your child.
• Bullying Prevention for Parents of Middle School Students - Age-specific guidance for families.
• What is Cyberbullying? - Understanding online bullying and how to respond.
• What is Sextortion? - Information about online exploitation and prevention.
• Speak Up, Speak Out Wisconsin - Anonymous reporting

Creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive school community

The most effective way to address bullying is to prevent it before it starts.  At the School District of Lodi, we are committed to creating schools where every students feels safe, respected, and valued.

We believe bullying prevention is more than responding to incidents.  It is about building a positive culture where strong relationships are fostered, expectations are clear, and every student experiences a sense of belonging.

Across our schools, students engage in a variety of proactive activities that teach kindness, empathy, and how to respond when concerns arise. These efforts help create an environment where bullying is less likely to occur and where students are empowered to support one another.

Each school uses a variety of resources, lessons, and schoolwide practices to help prevent bullying and build a positive school culture.  Explore information below to learn how bullying prevention is integrated at each school.

The School District of Lodi believes preventing and responding to bullying and harassment is a shared responsibility between schools and families. By working together, we can create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and experiences a true sense of belonging.

The district is committed to working alongside families and parent groups to strengthen bullying prevention efforts. Through ongoing collaboration, we discuss reporting procedures, the investigative process, and gather valuable feedback to continuously improve our practices, resources, and communication.

This partnership is an ongoing commitment. We will continue to engage families through open communication, shared learning, and continuous improvement to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

The School District of Lodi is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for all students.  The following district policies and student handbooks outline our expectations for student behavior, define bullying and harassment, and describe the procedures used to respond to reported concerns.

District Policies

• Policy 5517 - Student Anti-Harassment
• Policy 5517.1 - Bullying

Family Handbooks

• Primary School Family Handbook 2026-27 (page 12)
• Elementary/OSC Family Handbook 2026-27 (page 11)
• Middle School Family Handbook 2026-27 (page 9)
• High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 (page 12)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires schools to protect the confidentiality of student education records during a bullying investigation. While schools must thoroughly investigate and address reported incidents, they are limited in what information they can share with parents or others about students involved, particularly regarding disciplinary actions taken against another student. Schools can communicate that the situation has been investigated and appropriate steps have been taken, but must avoid disclosing personally identifiable information without consent, ensuring both compliance with federal law and the privacy rights of all students involved. 

• Parent Guide
• Frequently Asked Questions