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Dear BK Families,
At Bishop Kelly High School, we cherish the traditions that have inspired our students and Alumknights for generations. Traditions such as the Senior Sunrise, the Homecoming Bonfire, and Senior Knight activities play a vital role in building our strong community. We wholeheartedly support student traditions that foster camaraderie, trust, and teamwork. However, it is crucial that our students understand the difference between these positive traditions and hazing.
This week, our school administrators spoke with all fall athletes about the dangers of hazing. It's important for our entire community to have a shared understanding of hazing so that we can work together to prevent it from occurring at Bishop Kelly.
What is Hazing
At BK, we define hazing as "any situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule to any person, resulting in a loss of dignity."
Hazing can take many forms—physical, mental, emotional, and psychological. It’s important to recognize that students may sometimes participate in hazing voluntarily, believing it to be a tradition or a form of fun. Regardless of the circumstances, hazing is never acceptable.
The risks that hazing poses to a student's physical and emotional well-being are severe, and as a community, we must be vigilant in preventing it. It's not enough to be unaware of hazing; we must be proactive in identifying and addressing it. Silence is complicity.
What to Look Out For:
If you hear students discussing activities such as rites of initiation or rites of passage, or student-led events that lack adult supervision, please take a moment to ask questions and ensure everything is appropriate.
While these activities don’t necessarily indicate hazing (e.g., an athlete-organized run on the greenbelt followed by breakfast), they should prompt further consideration. If you come across anything concerning, we urge you to reach out to BK Administration immediately.
Resources for Parents:
We have shared the following resources with our student-athletes and encourage you to review them as well:
Thank you for your support to make Bishop Kelly High School a safe and caring environment for all of our students.
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