LCO Ojibwe School Adopts Cyberbullying Policy

By Jessica "Hutch" Hutchison LCO Ojibwe School Superintendent

The following is a letter sent out to parents of the LCO Ojibwe School

In an effort to tackle the pervasive problem of cyberbullying and online harassment that has become an increasing presence in the lives of our youth, the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School has adopted the following Cyberbullying/Unlawful Use of Communication Device Policy, approved by the LCO Tribal Governing Board in its role as local school board, into the Student Handbook:

Cyberbullying/Unlawful Use of Communication Device Policy

"Cyberbullying has been generally defined as the act of using electronic devices such as cellular phones, computers, tablets or other electronic devices to engage in behavior which is intended to cause fear, intimidation, or harm to others and is prohibited. Cyberbullying is illegal in the State of Wisconsin and on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation. Students and staff are reminded that sending messages or content, posting messages or content, that includes school-based activity with the intent to cause fear, intimidate, harass, annoy or otherwise harm students or staff constitutes cyberbullying and is prohibited, whether using school or personal devices.

Students or staff that are found to have engaged in cyberbullying while on campus or while using school devices will be subject to disciplinary action ranging from parent notification and privilege restriction, confiscation of property by law enforcement, suspension, and/or expulsion depending on the severity of the infraction. The School may report infractions of this policy to the Lac Courte Oreilles Police Department for potential civil and criminal prosecution of up to $5,000.

It should also be noted that cyberbullying outside of school is also prohibited by tribal ordinance. Your help in monitoring your child's use of social media and electronic communication is requested and appreciated. Please talk to your children about the risks of improper online activity.