| |
LippyMans
I like pizza Steve
PeaNut 28,105
January 2002
Posts: 14,969
Layouts: 0
Loc: West Jordan UT
 |  Posted: 2/1/2013 4:48:58 PM
I would ask the principal how HE would react if someone punched him in the junk! I do not understand why schools think kids should have to put up with physical, mental, and emotional abuse. The whole "use your words" doesn't work for most situations. Bullies escalate until they are knocked back into place. Handling them with kid gloves only makes the situation worse. It is beyond ridiculous that schools have a zero tolerance situation. Everyone has a right to defend themselves when someone gets physical towards them.
I tell my kids you are not to use violence as a first response. But damned straight you have a right to defend yourself. Especially if someone is touching you in your private parts! | |
|
ashazamm
BucketHead
PeaNut 217,769
August 2005
Posts: 572
Layouts: 18
Loc: NY
 | Posted: 2/1/2013 4:57:49 PM
I wouldn't fight the punishment and be proud of my son for defending himself. | |
|
Judy26
BucketHead
PeaNut 32,327
March 2002
Posts: 639
Layouts: 9
| Posted: 2/1/2013 6:50:11 PM
I just wanted to chime in and say that teaching kids to stick up for others who are being bullied can work. My son went through our district's anti-bullying program and we have always taught our kids that if you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem.
A month or so ago I was called in to our Superintendent's office. He shared with me something that had happened during lunch at the high school. Three special education students were eating and some other students started saying rude things to them, throwing grapes at them, and just plain making their lunch time miserable.
My son (who is athletic and quite well liked) saw what was going on. He went over to the three boys and asked them to join his group of friends. They did so happily. My son and his friends became their protectors from then on and no one would dare say anything cruel to those sweet boys after that.
The Superintendent heard the story from one of the parent's of the boys and wanted to share it with me. When I asked my son about it, he said it was no big deal. It was just the right thing to do. I think that the program taught in school helped give my son the tools he needed to make the right decision about how to help the bullied students. Anti Bullying Programs aren't the only solution but they can be a useful tool to help resolve these types of problems. | |
|
batya
Making the WWW better, one post at a time.
PeaNut 59,094
December 2002
Posts: 31,835
Layouts: 24
Loc: up on my high horse
 | Posted: 2/1/2013 6:52:22 PM
Judy, that's great! TFS. That should be the norm, not the anomaly. And of course you know, your DS is just wonderful. |
OK. Newbie. This is how it works. If your post consists of 80% sanity, 10% stupidity and 10% all kinds of crazy, we immediately focus on the 20% b/c it discredits the 80%.
| |
|
|
shirt
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 34,233
March 2002
Posts: 5,061
Layouts: 99
Loc: MN
| Posted: 2/1/2013 7:17:47 PM
If it was my kid that got detention, I would be going to the principal and to the school board.
We have had a couple bullying incidents when my girls were in school where they had to stand up for themselves and others. One was when my DD was in 2nd grade. She pushed the bully who was harassing another student. She got a talking to and the teacher called me to tell me what happened. School basically looked the other way on that one.
A few years later my other DD was in an after school program. The bully kept poking at my DD. She defended herself by continually pushing bully away. She had long nails which scratched the bully. I got a note that if she ever "hurt" anyone again at the program she wouldn't be allowed to continue in the program. After I found out what happened, the director got an earful from me. We had no more problems.
I really hate that victim is the one that has to pay in cases like this. If the boy was kicked in his privates, how is the other kid not suspended? Especially if it was on video. |
|
|
Scrapn Nana
PEAring through my camera lens
PeaNut 272,954
August 2006
Posts: 6,974
Layouts: 19
 | Posted: 2/1/2013 8:27:13 PM
The bully kneed Jared in the groin first before Jared punched him. Being kneed in the groin is assault, just as much so as a punch in the eye. He just hit Jared where it counts with a knee instead of a fist. Physical violence is physical violence, and the bully resorted to physical violence first.
If the bully wasn't expelled also for three days, then something is seriously wrong with their "zero tolerance" for hitting policy.
I think Jared did the right thing. All of this was going on, including Jared getting shoved into chairs (had to have made some noise) and the teacher didn't even notice UNTIL AFTER Jared finally got fed up with the abuse and punched the bully.
I haven't read all of the replies, so I don't know if the bully got expelled for three days as Jared did, but if not, I would demand it and raise a very public stink about their hypocritical policy if they don't deal out a harsher treatment to the bully than Jared got. Isn't there a zero tolerance policy regarding bullying, too, even if a knee in the groin isn't considered "hitting" the way a punch in the eye is?
I bet the bully leaves Jared alone in the future. Bullies prefer to pick on someone they think won't fight back.
If the school didn't punish the bully adequately, I would seriously consider homeschooling because the school is obviously not a safe environment for anyone but bullies. Bullies certainly shouldn't get preferential treatment. |
My Scrapn' Blog
Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall; but if you're real good, they will scrapbook you! | |
|
|
SueSume
AncestralPea
PeaNut 262,757
May 2006
Posts: 4,596
Layouts: 5
Loc: Big Bottom Valley
| Posted: 2/1/2013 8:59:14 PM
Yay "Jared"!
If Jared is my kid, the school gets a mama wanting to know the ends and outs of their bullying policy.
If the three days have to stand I would ask that they can be in school instead of out of school suspension (expelled at our school means buh-bye for the rest of the year)
Jared would NOT be in trouble at home. |
Sue Who? SueASume, SueSume, who cares?
Reality is made up of words.-Ferdinando Buscema
Words are hard.-Hannah Kelly
NSBR: "We're like a big damn disfunctional family. We'll beat the crap out of each other, and it's ok, but dammit, if an outsider turns on one of ours, we circle the wagons." -Free~Bird
Used with permission & with 9% royality fee paid annually. Starting next year. Honest | |
|
|
TinCin
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 29,331
February 2002
Posts: 6,215
Layouts: 0
Loc: Living in the palm of the hand.
| Posted: 2/1/2013 9:05:57 PM
My sister went through something similar with her son in early elementary only it was an older kid bullying him. She phoned and visited the school on numerous occasions and when they school wouldn't deal with the issue told her son to handle it however he need to.
He did, the next time the kid started in on him and shoved him my nephew hit him back, several times. The principal called my sister to come and get him. When she showed up the principal started in about her son's behavior and my sister essentially told him to stick it where the sun doesn't shine.
Then she turned to my nephew and asked which he wanted to do first, go golfing or to the local arcade. The principal told her he couldn't believe she was rewarding her son for fighting. She replied she wasn't rewarding him for fighting, she was rewarding him for waiting so long to hit this kid back.
Funny but that is the only fight I ever remember him getting into. |
| PROUD MEMBER OF UAW LOCAL 659 - Home of the Sit-Down Strike! | |
|
|
back to *pea*ality
PeaFixture
PeaNut 471,633
June 2010
Posts: 3,705
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 2/1/2013 9:20:17 PM
Back in the day if you asked me and my DH- you would have gotten very different answers.
I was the don't fight with your hands use your words kind of mom. DH was just kick his @ss in the schoolyard kind of dad.
I will concede that DH was right.
This one time, take the suspension. No one is going to push Jared around again. | |
|
zombie*grrl
AncestralPea
PeaNut 281,551
October 2006
Posts: 4,290
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 2/2/2013 5:07:35 AM
In today's world, you cant just solve things with a punch. More's the pity, as some people just need a good cock punch. But that doesn't matter. I'd take the suspension but I'd not punish my son. Bullies usually back off when the target stands up for him or herself. Had a similar situation once but when my son had enough and took the kid to the ground, he didn't get caught. And I approved. |
|
|
Juliettie
DesPEArate Housewife
PeaNut 99,184
August 2003
Posts: 7,122
Layouts: 16
Loc: Left Field.
 | Posted: 2/2/2013 6:15:57 AM
If Jared were my son, I'd probably start by questioning if there was more than 1 teacher watching 50+ children in the gym. That sounds against policy for our schools.
I'd guess the "official" answer would be that Jared had the responsibility to attract an adult's attention for help, rather than trying to handle things on his own (by hitting). I'd probably use the video to calmly let them know that given 50+ kids in a teacher's care, there was NO WAY for Jared to get attention and that he'd repeatedly tried to diffuse the situation. I'd put it right back on them for not providing a reasonable, safe environment for my child.
|
Dave Barry on Christmas...
"In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukka' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukka!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'" | |
|
|
kimberly38
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 198,401
March 2005
Posts: 6,099
Layouts: 0
Loc: Wernersville, PA
 | Posted: 2/2/2013 7:30:52 AM
There are many instances where Jared could have gotten the teacher and he chose not to. I know he tried to handle it on his own, but he should not have. The first time, I think what Jared did was right by what he said to the kid. The second time also, by the third tiime, I would have been raising my hand and telling the kid so loud that everyone could hear, including the teacher.
When Jared fell into the chairs and was kicked in the groin, yes, it is natural to act out, but the school and all schools do have a zero tolerance policy.
While I agree, this kid deserved what he got and maybe he will have learned a lesson, there were many chances for Jared to alert the teacher before punching another student for whatever reason. | |
|
twinsmom-fla99
PeaFixture
PeaNut 203,642
May 2005
Posts: 3,349
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 2/2/2013 7:30:56 AM
If I were Jarod's mom I would file assault charges. I am assuming the video clearly shows the other boy assaulting Jared of course. If it doesn't then you run the risk of Jared being charged. However, if the other boy's parents press charges as well, the prosecutor may have to drop the case (conflict of interest having to prosecute both sides) and it is then up to the parents to assume the burden of pursuing the charges in court. If the video is clear, though, and if Jared didn't wait until the bully had backed off to defend himself, then Jared should be cleared due to self defense.
Regardless of whether the parents pursue this or not, they should find out what the school does with these videos. Are they preserved and for how long? If they are not preserved, that is another reason to get police involved so this video becomes "evidence". Then it will be available in the event of future confrontations with this kid. I would also make it clear to the principal that this is strike one for the bully. Strike two (which will include any threats made by the bully) will result in a restraining order. Then the administration can figure out how to redo the bully's schedule so that he doesn't cross paths with Jared. | |
|
irishscrappermom8
AncestralPea
PeaNut 220,508
August 2005
Posts: 4,537
Layouts: 52
Loc: IL
| Posted: 2/2/2013 8:21:04 AM
I agree with Nicolequinn. I'd also fight the suspension and I'd make damned sure the instigator was expelled too. I'd call repeatedly shoving a kid and so hard he falls into a stack of chairs hitting too.
I'd also love to be very vocal to anyone who'd listen about it and I'd also go to the school board to ask just what a kid is supposed to do about this stuff and ask them what their plans are to educate kids about bullying - I'd want to know what preventative measures they have in ace instead of reacting afterwards. |
|
|
Really Red
Pea-ceful and Hap-pea
PeaNut 24,951
November 2001
Posts: 8,170
Layouts: 1
| Posted: 2/2/2013 9:47:47 AM
Holy moly. I have 12yo 7th grader. I have told him time and time again if anyone does anything like that to fall to the floor and scream HE HIT ME HE HIT ME!
Of course my son laughs his fool head off. He is 6' tall and there aren't too many kids who would dare approach him like that. We talk all the time about what to do if someone else gets bullied. He has stood up for his friends at times and I am honestly so proud of that I could cry.
I am generally opposed at all times to hitting someone; however, in the OP's case of Jared, I'd make an exception. I'd also file assault charges against the other boy. And quite frankly, if I ever saw him in class with my child again, I'd go ballistic.
Unfortunately, if Jared hit the other boy, I'd have to accept the 3-day suspension (OP used expelled, but that is the incorrect word, I'm pretty sure). I'd be pissed off about it, but I would never be mad at my 7th grader for that. |
Andrea
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; But often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
Helen Keller | |
|
|
theshyone
I'm Alive!
PeaNut 266,636
June 2006
Posts: 10,134
Layouts: 37
Loc: Alberta
| Posted: 2/2/2013 11:32:44 AM
|
Canon XTI
EFS 18-55 mm
EF 50 mm 1.8
EF 75-300 mm 1:4-5.6
My Blog
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world. Jack Layton
 | |
|
|
joyce.k.b.
PeaFixture
PeaNut 370,129
April 2008
Posts: 3,166
Layouts: 44
 | Posted: 2/2/2013 12:07:16 PM
After the verbal abuse Jared was putting up with, the second that little shit pushed him in line, Jared should've taken him down! No reason to wait for more pushing and a knee to the groin first.
If you were being harassed in the grocery line, or an amusement park line or any other line and this same scenario was taking place, how long would wait to take action and defend yourself?
Zero tolerance school policies are a joke! They infuriate me! They do nothing but reinforce to the victim that they are powerless. What other message can you take away from being punished for self defense?
Jared shouldn't wait as long next time, IMO. Getting suspension is a small price to pay compared to valuing and preserving your physical and emotional well being. |
|
|
Katybee
PeaFixture
PeaNut 379,678
June 2008
Posts: 3,318
Layouts: 11
Loc: Enjoying the summer sun!
 | Posted: 2/2/2013 12:31:21 PM
I don't have time to read all the responses right now (will later) but want to say that the state of Texas has recently passed a law that says someone cannot be punished for defending himself against a bully. |
|
|
