Dear Parent or Guardian:

Predominately, schools are safe and nurturing places for students, and school leaders and faculty are dedicated to making sure schools remain safe learning environments for all students. However, bullying is a serious issue that every child in the nation faces, whether in-person, online, at home, or at school. Nationwide, research shows that more than half of all children will be involved in bullying this year as either a victim or a perpetrator, with many more witnessing bullying acts on a regular basis.

In the Somerset Area School District, we believe in working together with families to combat bullying. We all know this problem isn’t confined to school grounds; in fact, these days, most bullying happens at home in the evenings and on the weekends/in the summer via social media or text message. In those cases, the school does not have jurisdiction over consequences, but we can help families support children who are experiencing stress due to bullying.

Bullying affects and is affected by what happens at home between siblings, what happens in the neighborhood, and what happens when kids go online. We all must work together to take immediate action, whether a child bullies, is a victim of bullying, or is a witness to bullying.

Remember, bullying should not be seen as “kids being kids” or something that children just need to deal with.  Having a safe childhood experience is something that all young folks should be able to enjoy. We look forward to partnering with you to make certain our schools are safe and that our children are supported!

We also believe that communication is key to our success.  Please contact the appropriate building principal if you have any bullying-related information for us.  If we do not have authority to address the matter (for instance, if the behavior occurred over social media and off school hours), we can support your child and assist in finding resources to help families take action with appropriate law enforcement. If we don't know, we will be unable to take appropriate action or assist you.

District Phone #:  (814) 443-2831

• Mr. Scott Shirley - High School Principal, Grades 9-12 

• Mr. Lance McGough - Middle School Principal, Grades 6-8

• Ms. Stacey Cornelius- Assistant Junior-Senior High School Principal, Grades 6-12 

• Mr. Marc Cacciotti - Eagle View Principal, Grades 3-5 

• Mr. Josh Spangler - Maple Ridge Principal, Grades K-2 

If you and/or your child would like to report bullying behaviors (or anything that presents a danger to students) anonymously, please do so by using the Safe2Say application or website at www.safe2say.org or via phone at 1-844-SAF2SAY. Again, when we don't know, we cannot help.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Krista S. Mathias, Superintendent

Somerset Area School District

645 South Columbia Avenue

Somerset, PA 15501

Telephone:  (814) 444 - 3211

Fax:  (814) 443 - 1964

 Proud Home of the Golden Eagles