The school has arranged for us to meet with the parents of the child who has been bullying our child

[Anonymous]

The kids are in 5th grade. It's almost the end of the year, and we are switching schools next year, so I'm not sure of point here.
I do think the other child may have special needs (the other child is in my kid's small group, which has added to the issues) that contribute to the difficulty they are having.

Looking for advice on how to approach this meeting? There has been a separation plan in place for awhile, but the other child sometimes forgets or ignores it and can be disgruntled and has even outright refused to abide by it once the teacher asks them to separate from our child. We want the other parents to do whatever they can to get their child to adhere to the separation plan. Anything else?

The bullying has been mostly verbal, but has veered into some physical aspects as well that is subtle enough that the teachers may not necessarily notice (pinching and finger flicking).

[Anonymous]

You didn’t request the meeting? Seems strange the offending kids parents would request it. In any case since you’re leaving I think you don’t need to go. Say it’s difficult schedule wise but if there are particular issues you need to know feel free to email.

[Anonymous]

100% do NOT meet with them. Absolutely not. Same with the children.

[Anonymous]

Do not have contact with these people. No!

[Anonymous]

We had a similar situation earlier in the year where the school said the other parents wanted to talk to us but we declined. The other parents were beyond pissed.

[Anonymous]

They want to blame, convolute and bully you under the guise of being proactive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You didn’t request the meeting? Seems strange the offending kids parents would request it. In any case since you’re leaving I think you don’t need to go. Say it’s difficult schedule wise but if there are particular issues you need to know feel free to email.

This. I think you can say that you don't feel the need to meet, you just very much want your child to be able to get through the end of the year in peace and would appreciate the parents doing whatever they can to get their child to adhere to the existing separation plan.

I'd like to believe that the parents are reaching out with good intentions, but it can go south a lot of ways and the end is near.

[Anonymous]

You have to wonder why the other parents want to meet at this point either? Or was this the school's idea??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:100% do NOT meet with them. Absolutely not. Same with the children.

This.

[Anonymous]

This makes me wonder if all parties (school and both families) accept that your child is being bullied? Or is it only you who is using this term so the school is trying to mediate?

Either way, I don't think I'd agree to it. Certainly not without knowing more about the school's goals for arranging it and whether a school official will be there as well?

[Anonymous]

I would probably go just because I’d be curious as to what they have to say, but that’s just me. I’d also keep my own mouth shut and not saying anything more than some sort of non-committal generalities.

[Anonymous]

NWIH, decline promptly

[Anonymous]

I would be curious also. Are you leaving the school because because of this other child or due to other circumstances?

[Anonymous]

If I went, I would be shutting down any discussions about what my child needs to do differently, any claims that their kid is the real victim or needs more slack, etc.

"We weren't sure why we were being invited to this meeting, and now that we're here, it's still not clear. Brayden is bullying Larlo and it's getting worse. It's been physical on occasion. This is unacceptable."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would probably go just because I’d be curious as to what they have to say, but that’s just me. I’d also keep my own mouth shut and not saying anything more than some sort of non-committal generalities.

You’re curiosity needs to be left out. That is ridiculous and not the goal.