What do you do when the Administrators of your child's school wont stop bullies?

Question

My son transferred to a new school this year. He is in the second grade and has been bullied every day by two Hispanic boys ( my son is white) in his class. Most of the times it is one. Some days the boy teases him, other days it is worse. He has put his hands on him twice and his friend has grabbed my son's glasses twice. I have gone to counselors, the vice principal, and the principal. They all sit the three boys down and talk to them. Some of the staff members have told me that all the principal does is bribe the kids. All I know is that it is not working. My child is still getting picked on and he is getting frustrated. It is only a matter of time before he finally has enough and punches back. What can I do to get the Administrators to do something?

Answer 1

Talk to the principals boss - the superintendent. Go the next rung up the ladder. Explain what happened, the schools reaction. Do this in a letter and send a copy to the school as well. Doing it over the phone/in person can be very emotional, so its better by letter.

Give it a few days, and if you don't get a follow up call, email him and then call 1-2 days later. He has to take action - it is his job.

Your other option is to call the boys parents but this almost never turns out well. Good chance that a bully's parents are either in the dark, or bullies themselves.

Answer 2

Consistent discipline seems to be a big problem for other schools as well, not just yours. We teachers have found that we don't really have a voice in this matter, so it must be up to the parents to get something done about it. Since your principal and other school staff have been unreceptive, it's time to go over their heads. Contact the superintendent. If nothing happens then, contact the school board. The next step is to contact the local news media. Hopefully you can stop at the super. Bribing kids not to be bullies is stupid and goes against everything we were taught in our education and child development classes. Fight the power, sister. :)

Answer 3

Where I live the minute the children leave the play ground and walk on to the cross walk the school is no longer responsible for what happens. so these two children waited every day at the cross walk for my son and would bully him, and the school refused to handle the situation. so.. I called the police and had them met me at the school at the office everyday and pointed out how the school refused to take care of the problem after about a week of the cops being at the the school everyday the school finally handled the problem and my son has not had any problems in the last month.

Answer 4

I'm very sorry for you. It must be extremely frustrating. Here are some suggestions for how you could go about this if the problem continues;
1. Ask to see the school’s anti bullying procedures
2. discuss your concerns with the parent governor(s) at your child’s school
3. make an appointment to see the headteacher, keeping a record of the meeting
4. if you still feel your concerns are not being addressed, write to the Chair of Governors explaining your concerns and what you would like to see happen.

I have enclosed a website for further help.

I hope you solve the problem soon

Answer 5

At that age, I let mine "duke" it out!

But have you tried a meeting at the school with the parents, a translater (for language barrier) and a school counselor? Can you get a session with the kids involved too?

Sounds like a suggestion to the PTA about Cultural Diversity and Self Esteem training program for the kids is needed too. Never too young to start learning there.

In the meantime, put your kid in a martial arts program and help your kid "think tank" some ways that might short-circuit some bullying. For example: quick answers, body language, etc. Try role playing...let him be the bully with you and then switch it around to let him practice new learned responses.

Google and read as much as you can on the subject. You're right to want to deal with this in a proactive manner.

Answer 6

go to the local school board and put in an complaint about your sons school,fix a meeting with all the party's involved including the parents if nothing can be sorted out then sue the school and the parents of the bullies i bet the parents of the bullies don't know a thing about what is happening at school,if they do they need to sort out this problem before your son cant take anymore,maybe your son should fight back.

Answer 7

Have a peek at the "Bullys at School" question I just answered. Boy did I feel getting that one sorted. Report the Principal immediately to the Education Department. Your child is entitled to get an education in a safe and nuturing environment. Don't delay, you'll regret it otherwise.



PEACE & LOVE & ALL THAT

Answer 8

I know the frustration of bullying.We have and still have ongoing issues with bullying.You have tried everything.Iw ould try and arrange a meeting with the parents yourself and the principal.If you can try and resolve the issue peacefully without resorting to too much anger this may work..In our school the front office bribes them with things like stickers.These kids are at school and should not need to be bribed for good behaviorGood luck.

Answer 9

I would go the superintendant of schools and if that person won't do something for you go to the school board. If you get no where with them, I would go and see an attorney and have that attorney write a strongly worded letter to the school advising them of the bullying and that if it does not stop, then a lawsuit will be filed. I would also check with local law enforcement and see if the boys are problems in the community. They might be problem children that just don't know how to be friends with anyone and think that they have to bully to be popular.

Answer 10

Bullying, though it has existed for a long time, is a really hot topic now and I'm surprised that your school is not more strict - like a no tolerance policy that would require the suspending of any child who did not comply. I would encourage you to appeal to the board and raise hell. I would insist that they firm up their actions in writing - not just for your boy but any other kid who find themselves victims of bullying. Maybe they might go a step further and hire a professional speaker for an assembly on the topic. Finally, I would look into changing schools if this one doesn't have your child's health and safety in mind.