Yu Ying bullying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also current Yu Ying parent--haven't seen bullying at all in my child's class (also not one of the classes under discussion). The list serv discussion was very illuminating--other members of the current 2nd grade class (where bullying took place) chimed in with different persepcectives with a view that there wasn't bullying going on, but rather a big group of happy kids. Or that administration was pretty proactive when something occurred.

Regardless, I'm sad a child had to leave because they were bullied because that is a painful experience for a child and I look forward to how the school plans to handle these situations this year. I also think that its disturbing to label the oldest grade "rough" when the kids were 1st GRADERS at the time the behavior took place--so 6 and 7 year olds. I do think the school obviously will focus in like lasers on this issue given the way the issue was presented to the parent community and has caused a lot of discussion.etc.

So for what its worth, I would apply to Yu Ying, and then make your mind up after you visit. Our experience hasn't been a school environment full of bullying at all.

Great that the school will now address these problems, but a bit sad that a child had to leave school for it to happen.

[Anonymous]

Very sad start to a school career and a new school year for a 7 year old. All kids deserve to feel safe at school. Several area schools have anti-bullying programs, perhaps Yu Ying should look into adopting one. That would demonstrate a commitment to being proactive.

One of the things that worries me about the state of schools in the District is that parents feel that they have so few good choices that they defend their school in a knee jerk way. Things like bullying happen everywhere unless there are safeguards in place and adults who are vigalent. The problem isn't the behavior of the kids but that of the adults (and I DON'T mean the parents of the withdrawn child).

[Anonymous]

I would not write off any one school, public or private, for something like this. The incoming Ninth Grade class at Sidwell of all places lost over 10 students from last year in part because of mean girl and other social problems. This happens everywhere. It can depend on the child, the class and of course the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not write off any one school, public or private, for something like this. The incoming Ninth Grade class at Sidwell of all places lost over 10 students from last year in part because of mean girl and other social problems. This happens everywhere. It can depend on the child, the class and of course the school.

OP here. Very correct. I am anxious because my little boy is small for his age, loves books, sensitive, etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not write off any one school, public or private, for something like this. The incoming Ninth Grade class at Sidwell of all places lost over 10 students from last year in part because of mean girl and other social problems. This happens everywhere. It can depend on the child, the class and of course the school.

Where did you learn that Sidwell lost over 10 students due to mean girl/social problems?

[Anonymous]

A friend in this class whose child transferred to another independent. And I said mainly girl/social problems. And it's more than 10 by a few.

[Anonymous]

I am a Yu Ying parent. I have found the school admin very responsive, rational, and proactive with solutions for any issues I was aware of that were brought to their attention last year. Or this year.

While it should not be dismissed lightly, I was not aware of any bullying when it was brought to the public's attention in the school listserve. Doesn't mean it wasn't there, of course. The school is handling this situation as I would hope: reiterating the strict no-bullying policy, holding family conferences, group and individual focus and special support.

Again, I do not know this family at all. But, as an observer, I have to say the parent had previously posted message to the listserv that were ... well, unnecessarily inflammatory. It rather colored the entire following bullying discussion with an odd undertone.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a current parent in the school but we are interested in it for the future so I've been following YuYing's progress over the last year. I think people should judge for themselves the full nature of this issue before coming to conclusions. One can do this by visiting the school, talking to the Administration and talking to parents across the different grades to gain some perspective.

I don't know this family personally but the parent is a frequent poster to some listservs and has strong opinions on many matters that tend to swing the discussions. YuYing is probably not the first school she/he has pulled out from either.

For me personally, I will be more inclined to reserve judgement on this.

[Anonymous]

I agree with this poster--and I am a parent at the school. The parent in question always seemed a bit, well, unstable at best and said things that led many to believe she had real issues with African-Americans. Sad, but just because someone says their child was bullied doesn't make it so, and all those who automatically believed that where there was smoke there was fire...shame on you.

[Anonymous]

Can't we all just leave this woman, the issue, and the school alone? Why so much time and energy devoted to this? Let's let it go and move on to more important things, like how do we get good education for ALL District children?

[Anonymous]

00:52 I think it's constructive that the circumstances get out.

[Anonymous]

I feel for this child. By my account she's been at 3 schools in the last 3 years. That said, I feel for the DCPS that is going to have to deal with this mother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with this poster--and I am a parent at the school. The parent in question always seemed a bit, well, unstable at best and said things that led many to believe she had real issues with African-Americans. Sad, but just because someone says their child was bullied doesn't make it so, and all those who automatically believed that where there was smoke there was fire...shame on you.

I beg your pardon. The parent in question IS African-American, her child is bi-racial and so she has a window of insight into more than one point of view. I am also a parent at the school, one who is aware of how much energy that parent dedicated to the program. While I am relieved that the issue is confined to one group of older students and being addressed very directly, I am nonetheless sorry to see her go. Yu Ying is a wonderful school and the parent support and enthusiasm - especially in the younger classes - is outstanding. It saddens me that she chose to leave, but she is making what she believes to be the best choice for her child. That was hard enough; casting aspersions upon her character is not acceptable.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Such are the dangers of anonymous postings...folks feel the need to publicly say things they would never be comfortable saying in a more easily-identified forum. Although I have no idea who is the subject of these postings, I am sure the family in question has done and continues to do what they feel right for their child. I hope the child is able to grow and learn without further unwanted attention and negative feelings...from bullies or misguided adults.

[Anonymous]

Is it fact that the child's been at three schools in three years?