Seeking attorney to help us with bullying problem at FCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before going through the expense of an attorney, have you contacted your region superintendent to mediate this? If that doesn't resolve it, then pursue an attorney.

My experience is that when adults aren't doing what they should be doing, a lawyer letter showing you mean business can often open the doors that should be open. OP, what are your goals? A reasonable one is getting your child into a different school pyramid with transportation. An unreasonable one is expelling the kid or making him move. You really need to work out what you see as a solution.

I think the PP who just moved her kid to a private school was wise, but I know that isn't always the answer.

I would try to really drill down on the dynamics - is it just one bully, why is your child the target, why do you think the school is not taking more severe action (including making sure not just that the kids do not sit together but also are not in the same class), and what is your specific goal going forward? I could see more than adequate grounds for transfer to another elementary school under the transfer regulations, but then the kids might be together again in middle school (where bullying reaches its apex).

[Anonymous]

Ask for a transfer with transportation. If you have a close relationship with your pediatrician tell her this has been going on for six years and is taking a tremendous psychological toll on your child. Have her/him write a letter saying it is in your child's emotional best interest to be moved. Use the persistent bullying to justify transportation. I know your child may not want to be uprooted, but fixing the psychological damage from this will be hard. The pp who suggested teaching your child to stand up for himself doesn't get that it won't necessarily stop a persistent bully who has a significant size and strength advantage. I'm sorry you and especially your DC has to deal with this. If you get a letter from your ped or a psychologist, you should be able to get a transfer. Have the letter say an immediate move is important. Again, the move might be hard, but undoing years of emotional damage is harder. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

sue them,... I hope you win. FCPS DOESN'T CARE ABOUT BULLYING ONE BIT.. THE TEACHERS WILL LOCK THE OTHER WAY. GOOD LUCK... DON'T BACK DOWN

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before going through the expense of an attorney, have you contacted your region superintendent to mediate this? If that doesn't resolve it, then pursue an attorney.

My experience is that when adults aren't doing what they should be doing, a lawyer letter showing you mean business can often open the doors that should be open. OP, what are your goals? A reasonable one is getting your child into a different school pyramid with transportation. An unreasonable one is expelling the kid or making him move. You really need to work out what you see as a solution.

I think the PP who just moved her kid to a private school was wise, but I know that isn't always the answer.

And my experience has been that when someone's boss is involved, things have a higher probability of being taken care of. That's why I suggested going to the region superintendent (the principal's boss) BEFORE dropping $$$$ on an attorney. If this can be resolved without spending money, then why not exercise that option first. We don't know if OP has done that.

IF that's already been done or if it doesn't result in a sastisfactory resolution, THEN go with an attorney.

[Anonymous]

I like the suggestion about getting your pediatrician to write a letter supporting a change for emotional/psychological well being. Why haven't they been able to switch his class? Most FCPS schools have multiple classes for each grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before going through the expense of an attorney, have you contacted your region superintendent to mediate this? If that doesn't resolve it, then pursue an attorney.

My experience is that when adults aren't doing what they should be doing, a lawyer letter showing you mean business can often open the doors that should be open. OP, what are your goals? A reasonable one is getting your child into a different school pyramid with transportation. An unreasonable one is expelling the kid or making him move. You really need to work out what you see as a solution.

I think the PP who just moved her kid to a private school was wise, but I know that isn't always the answer.

And my experience has been that when someone's boss is involved, things have a higher probability of being taken care of. That's why I suggested going to the region superintendent (the principal's boss) BEFORE dropping $$$$ on an attorney. If this can be resolved without spending money, then why not exercise that option first. We don't know if OP has done that.

IF that's already been done or if it doesn't result in a sastisfactory resolution, THEN go with an attorney.

And my experience is that schools can quickly close ranks and retaliate/become extremely unhelpful if they perceive you as "that parent" especially with a legal threat. Unless you actually have a clearly established legal right that you can possible win (eg some disability cases) the minute you start threatening legal action is the minute they stop doing a single thing they are not legally required to do. which here, is minimal. before you go this route do everything you can to get the result you want, such as requesting a transfer, going to the principal. If it's as severe as you say, I'd probably just move before I'd hire a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Use the attorney to send a cease and desist letter to the parents just to get their attention.

[Anonymous]

Strange. Who lets this go on for six years and then tries to escalate just when the bullied child is getting to the age when he least wants his parents perceived as coming to his rescue? No easy answers here and don't see much benefit to lawyering up. Would take one last stab at contacting higher-ups (what other purpose do the bureaucrats at Gatehouse serve) and then switch schools or go private if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I like the suggestion about getting your pediatrician to write a letter supporting a change for emotional/psychological well being. Why haven't they been able to switch his class? Most FCPS schools have multiple classes for each grade level.

This. Also, you should post on the SN Forum for attorney references.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Use the attorney to send a cease and desist letter to the parents just to get their attention.

You mean a letter threatening legal action against the other parents for damages? A private attorney has no authority to issue a cease and desist order.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before going through the expense of an attorney, have you contacted your region superintendent to mediate this? If that doesn't resolve it, then pursue an attorney.

My experience is that when adults aren't doing what they should be doing, a lawyer letter showing you mean business can often open the doors that should be open. OP, what are your goals? A reasonable one is getting your child into a different school pyramid with transportation. An unreasonable one is expelling the kid or making him move. You really need to work out what you see as a solution.

I think the PP who just moved her kid to a private school was wise, but I know that isn't always the answer.

And my experience has been that when someone's boss is involved, things have a higher probability of being taken care of. That's why I suggested going to the region superintendent (the principal's boss) BEFORE dropping $$$$ on an attorney. If this can be resolved without spending money, then why not exercise that option first. We don't know if OP has done that.

IF that's already been done or if it doesn't result in a sastisfactory resolution, THEN go with an attorney.

And my experience is that schools can quickly close ranks and retaliate/become extremely unhelpful if they perceive you as "that parent" especially with a legal threat. Unless you actually have a clearly established legal right that you can possible win (eg some disability cases) the minute you start threatening legal action is the minute they stop doing a single thing they are not legally required to do. which here, is minimal. before you go this route do everything you can to get the result you want, such as requesting a transfer, going to the principal. If it's as severe as you say, I'd probably just move before I'd hire a lawyer.

+1. Problem is you seem way too rational for OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I like the suggestion about getting your pediatrician to write a letter supporting a change for emotional/psychological well being. Why haven't they been able to switch his class? Most FCPS schools have multiple classes for each grade level.

But what if this happens at the next school?

My in-laws had their daughter switched because of perceived bullying. Her problems followed her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:sue them,... I hope you win. FCPS DOESN'T CARE ABOUT BULLYING ONE BIT.. THE TEACHERS WILL LOCK THE OTHER WAY. GOOD LUCK... DON'T BACK DOWN

My kid was horribly bullied in sixth grade. The fcps elementary and teachers were very responsive.

[Anonymous]

Your child needs to learn to stand up for himself. He should also avoid any situations where he is Alone with the bully. I'm curious about the physical abuse you claim as schools seem pretty crowded and I can't imagine too many situations where the bully is able to physically abuse your child without others being present. Besides the physical abuse, the rest is just words and I can't imagine necessitate a lawyer. Are you going to go and hire a lawyer for every problem your child faces?

Is an option calling the police if the physical abuse continues? Can you let the school know if the bully isn't kept from beating up your son you have no options but to document the abuse and call the cops?

[Anonymous]

What is going on? What does the bullying behavior look & sound like?