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December 5, 2008, 8:18 am PST
I can relate to these parents.........
I moved to the small town of Russia when my youngest son started the first grade. For the first year here my son kept complaning about being beat up by kids at recess - and it was really effecting him to the point where he would come home crying about it almost daily. I have on several occasions called and visited the school to report what my son has said to me and asking the school if they could keep a closer eye on him during the recess time. Well while at work one day I called home to see how school went for my kids - and my youngest son told me he got beat up again. He said "it's o.k. mom, I just petended to be like a rock" - You know this just severly tore at my heart - and got me a bit fired up. I was fed up with all this happening on a regular basis. So I went to the school and confronted his teacher - she was not helpful at all. Basically she didn't want to deal with it - and avised me that I would have to check in at the office before entering the school from that point on. There was one teacher that had stopped me prior to this incedent - and said she see's whats happening to my son and how the administration has been failing to deal with it - she also wanted me to know how in her class she has been working with her kids to "compliment and be nice to each other" - she said she gives rewards to the kindness they do give. I was very relieved to know that there was one teacher there that took this matter seriously and was not afraid to speak up to me. And was trying to make things better for the children. It got to the point where the school wanted to have someone from outside the school evaluate my son and his behaviour. Well this was agreed by me - and after he worked with this person for a period of time he came to his conclusion - me and my husband went to the school to discuss his evaluation of my son. Turns out he felt the issues my son had had nothing to do with him - that the issues were stemmed from the school. Another person saw what was happening - that was another sigh of relief for me. I did at one point look for help online - and sent copys of a sight I found that talked about bullying and how to deal with it to the school. We are finally leaving this school - and wish it had not taken so long - but when I first moved here I was a single mom - on a very fixed income. The idea to move just wouldn't fit within our budget - although I did keep my options open - always checking the paper for a nice home in another area. This past year with the school seems to be alot better - but I do wonder if the kids in the lower grades are also not being heard. I have no idea if the same person that was supervising the kids during recess is still doing so. She should be evaluated as far as I'm concerned. And removed from that position. Why do people allow children to beat on children and do nothing about it? The school does have a new principal at this time [I think they went through a few principals since my kids started] - and as far I am aware the new principal is doing a great job. Hopefully this is not happening anymore. I also feel if bullying goes on for too long the bullied become the bully.
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