Ever wonder why kids bring guns to school? I have... and I still do. But I know in my heart the children are not evil. They do not wish harm on anyone. No, it's not that they are misunderstood... No. They are likely to be bullied by others, not in the 'in' crowd and teased periodically, not just by other students, but by the teachers as well. I'm not saying this is a good excuse. I'm merely pointing out the facts.
Take Columbine for instance. Those boys were definitely troubled. Parents seldom checked in on them and they were depressed boys. Makes me wonder what school must have been like for them. Which brings me to tonight's post... short, sweet, and very much, to the POINT!
Three of my children ride the school bus to and from school. Our youngest will start in August. The issue at hand: My oldest (Kasidy) and her younger brother (Kody) get off the bus, minus their brother (Kris) because of an after school activity. Enter: DRAMA
My daughter proceeds to inform me that one particular girl on the bus (who's name will remain obsolete to this post or any post) has teased my daughter and two sons since school started back in August '10. I've explained to the kids to just 'ignore her' -- be polite, but ignore her. So far so good, right? Wrong. Over the past 5 months, my daughter and sons have explained that this girl (who is in Jr. High), along with her brother, has belittled, demeaned, rudely spoken, and trash-talked my children. In turn, they [my children] have explained to the bus driver, this girl and her brother's behavior (because, yes folks, bullying apparently runs in that family) to no avail. I've had enough!
My daughter and son tell me today that this girl was trash-talking Kasidy and Kasidy was ignoring her. Good girl. Then this 'girl' proceeds to bring my 6 year old into the conversation asking him in so many words about 'touching' and 'kissing'... What the FUCK! This 12 or 13 year old has no fucking business asking my son anything about that, or better than that, she has no right! So, once the flames retreated from my mouth and the smoke began to disipate from my ears, I dialed the school... Because that is what parents are suppose to do, rather than march up to the family's home and briefly take matters into my own hands... Right?
Speaking with the secretary at the elementary school, she takes down a few pieces of info and tells me to contact the JR high school Principle because the abuser(s) is/are in JR high. Sure, not a problem. I get, "Thank you for calling.... I'm currently away from my desk... yadda yadda"... I leave a very pleasant voicemail, courteously thanking him for his prompt attention to this matter and to return my call at his earliest convenience. Less than 3 minutes later, I get a call back -- Yes folks, they screen their calls!
He begins to ask the same questions the previous call had requested. I inform him and then he asks me, "Was it reported to the bus driver?" I ask my daughter who says, "no mom. I was so upset the way she was talking to Kody, I didn't even think to tell. I just knew I had to get Kody off the bus as soon as I could." Understandable! Right? Not in his eyes. "Well, Mrs. Evans, I am sure you can understand my position. Without this incident being reported to the driver, I can not really advance in the matter. I can advise the driver to place your children in assigned seating as far from the student as possible." Well, that is a start.
What is a parent to do? I'll tell you. I will be on the bus in the morning, speaking to our driver, (who is a great woman, BTW), and inform her of my conversation with the principle and to let her know that I've instructed my children to tell her whenever either of the abusers are acting out of order with my children. So, when she gets tired of my kids telling on them, and chooses to do nothing, and my children backlash towards this girl and her brother, I will be very proud. Because a good ole fist fight is how they done it in the old days... Not guns and knives and the sort. But, should a fight occur, I will be all to happy to home school my children! Oh, and write a letter everyday to the paper and the school board, letting them know just how well their "Zero Tolerance on Bullying" works!
Until tomorrow,
LaVonda
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