Report a Concern for a Student
Ensuring the safety and welfare of our students is a top priority for District 153. Our intent is to encourage students to "seek help before harm" and prevent suicides, bullying, school violence, and other threats to our students and schools.
What is bullying?
Any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:
- Placing the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property
- Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health
- Substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance
- Substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school
What is teen dating violence?
Teen dating violence occurs when a student uses or threatens to use physical, mental or emotional abuse to control another person in a dating relationship; or uses or threatens to use sexual violence in a dating relationship.
What is sexual abuse?
Child sexual abuse or child molestation is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation and can take many different forms.
The Illinois State Board of Education has created a resource guide (click the link below) to help students, parents/guardians and educators find help in the event sexual abuse is suspected, reported, and/or being investigated.
Title IX Notifications
Equal educational and extracurricular opportunities are available to all students without regard to race, color, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, age, religious beliefs, physical or mental disability, status as homeless, or actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy.
No student shall, based on sex or sexual orientation, be denied equal access to programs, activities, services, or benefits or be limited in the exercise of any right, privilege, advantage, or denied equal access to educational and extracurricular programs and activities.
A uniform grievance procedure has been developed for the purpose of expressing and resolving concerns.
Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Process
Sexual Harassment affects a student’s ability to learn and an employee’s ability to work. Providing an educational and workplace environment free from sexual harassment is an important District goal. The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any of its education programs or activities, and it complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106) concerning everyone in the District's education programs and activities, including applicants for employment, students, parents/guardians, employees, and third parties.
The District’s Title IX Coordinator:
Name: Morgan Koncel
Address: 18205 S. Aberdeen St, Homewood, IL 60430
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 708-647-2222
Please Don't Remain Silent!
Any student who believes that he or she has been a victim of bullying, sexual abuse or teen dating violence or has heard rumors of impending school violence—or anyone who knows of or has witnessed such an event—should report this as soon as possible.
1. Tell a teacher, school counselor or administrator.
2. Complete District 153's Reporting Form
Reports will be kept confidential to the extent possible given the need to investigate.
3. Contact SAFE2HELP
Safe2Help Illinois features a 24/7 helpline (1-844-4-SAFEIL), free mobile app, and dedicated website ( https://www.safe2helpil.com/ In the absence of a trusted adult, students can use Safe2Help Illinois to share concerns about themselves or others in a confidential environment. Once vetted, the information will be immediately shared with us in District 153 and mental health professionals, and/or local law enforcement, depending on the nature of the tip. It is important to note that this program is not intended to punish, suspend, or expel students. Rather, the intent is to encourage students to "seek help before harm," with the goal of intervening and helping students before they harm themselves or others.
