Policy of Montgomery County Public Schools on Bullying

[Anonymous]

8 year old DS was punched on the face by a student a few months ago which caused a bloody nose and lesion in the mouth. School acknowledged that the student has had similar issues with other students and promised to watch the student to prevent same incident to happen again. A few days ago, that particular student pushed, elbowed and jumped on the back of DS almost knocked him on the floor. He also called DS various names making fun of his size. We reported the incident to the school and expressed concerns about DS' safety and wellness at school and called for effective actions to stop this kind of behaviors. The student was sent to principal's office for recess for two days, which ended a few days ago. Today he again called DS names. What can we parents do?

[Anonymous]

My friend eventually got a COSA.

[Anonymous]

What is COSA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is COSA?

Change of School Assignment

[Anonymous]

Thanks much!

[Anonymous]

Make sure that you fill out this form, if you haven't already!

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/230-35.shtm

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for the information. I was not aware of this report!

[Anonymous]

Unless you write a written complaint in an email to the teacher, counselor and the Principal in which you use the word "BULLIED" - it will be of no use.

Ask in your email is you can involve the police, press charges and go to the courts to ask for a restraining order as well.

Please do not go small - make the biggest stink you can.

This is how I handled my kid being bullied.

BTW - please include pictures of any injury and dr. report is that occured.

Keep escalating to the next level. Do is forcefully and rapidly. Do not wait to take action.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you very much for the information. I was not aware of this report!

Yes, principals at schools really don't want parents to know about this form. They have to respond to it. We actually pulled our child out to private, and only learned of the existence of the form a year later.

[Anonymous]

See page 6 of the attached under "Nondiscrimination"

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights/

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the tips. The first incident was grave. However, because the school apologized profusely, we didn't make too much out of it. Thinking about this - we probably should have taken pictures and obtained a doctor report. We do have e-mails for documentation and will pursue this with the principal and file reports with MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you very much for the information. I was not aware of this report!

Yes, principals at schools really don't want parents to know about this form. They have to respond to it. We actually pulled our child out to private, and only learned of the existence of the form a year later.

Yes. Once they receive this form, there are procedures that they must follow. Otherwise (as I understand it) it's up to them how they respond.

It's also useful to read this policy:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/jhf.pdf

so that if the principal isn't doing something that's in the policy, you can tell the principal that against it's MCPS policy for the principal not to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you very much for the information. I was not aware of this report!

Yes, principals at schools really don't want parents to know about this form. They have to respond to it. We actually pulled our child out to private, and only learned of the existence of the form a year later.

Yes. Once they receive this form, there are procedures that they must follow. Otherwise (as I understand it) it's up to them how they respond.

It's also useful to read this policy:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/jhf.pdf

so that if the principal isn't doing something that's in the policy, you can tell the principal that against it's MCPS policy for the principal not to do that.

Thank you for the info. I see that according to the policy, the principal was supposed to let us know of this form.

[Anonymous]

Document. Document.Document.

Then kick it up the chain of command. Your area superintendent will be interested in the email you send him/her and the school board explaining that nothing has been done by admin to protect your child.

--MCPS teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you very much for the information. I was not aware of this report!

Yes, principals at schools really don't want parents to know about this form. They have to respond to it. We actually pulled our child out to private, and only learned of the existence of the form a year later.

Yes. Once they receive this form, there are procedures that they must follow. Otherwise (as I understand it) it's up to them how they respond.

It's also useful to read this policy:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/jhf.pdf

so that if the principal isn't doing something that's in the policy, you can tell the principal that against it's MCPS policy for the principal not to do that.

Thank you for the info. I see that according to the policy, the principal was supposed to let us know of this form.

Email the Principal and mention the policy. Please let her know that you want to still fill the form just so the behavior of that child is documented.

Another thing - Please use the word "Bullied". They are only supposed to take action if you say that your child is being "Bullied". If your child is being hit, harassed, maimed, teased - you will not get a response unless you use the word "Bullied"/

Because the bully is persisting in his behavior - you need to build a case. Also - print out all documentation (emails etc) - make a few files and drop it in the school. Then send an email of the same also mentioning that you have send the paper copies to the principal, counselor and teacher.

Be very polite and firm. Escalate, escalate, escalate. Go to MCPS website, get the names of all the officials - and bombard them with your emails, if you do not get the result you want pronto,