Seeking attorney to help us with bullying problem at FCPS

[Anonymous]

Education should say integration.

[Anonymous]

I was the small kid in junior high..caught up later. Anyways, I was bullied and my parents really didn't give a shit. So I took matters into my own hands and walloped the kid after I'd had enough. Two things happened:

1. Kid never bothered me.
2. I earned a rep as being a complete animal. No one messed with me after that. People stayed out of my way.

I did get suspended for a few days but told the assistant principal at the time I was bullied for months and no one helped me.

My parents were angry because I inconvenienced them, not so much for my well being.

Point is, make sure your kid asserts himself. Let him blow off steam too so he doesn't get to be older and one of those kids that goes really nuts when he's older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately they don't always do that. Make bullying uncool and it will stop.

And, how do you do that?

Activities that involve education. Activities that involve reflecting on how people are working to be a better friend. There are whole research centers and programs on this.

These things go on in the schools ALL the time. Certainly, these activities do need to be provided in the schools, but you are quite naïve if you think this is going to make bullying "uncool" to the bullies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our fifth grader has been tormented by the same bully since kindergarten. This includes numerous physical assaults as well as all manner of psychological abuse, and has escalated significantly in the past month. The parents do not believe in discipline, and the school has done very little beyond providing "support" to the bully and requiring that the kids not sit together. This is severely impacting our son, who is the smallest kid in his grade and has significant anxiety and other medical issues, but does not have an IEP. We are looking for a lawyer who knows FCPS and can help us navigate the system and determine how to use the conduct code (Student Rights and Responsibilities) and any regulations or statutes to push for remedies.

Perhaps an attorney who has represented kids with disabilities and/or kids in disciplinary proceedings could help us.

Thank you.

Sorry that this is happening to you. Our child is also being bullied and it is really difficult to see. I could have written your email. In our situation also, the school seems to care more for the bullies than the children impacted. I really don't understand. I don't have suggestions, but hope things get better for your son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately they don't always do that. Make bullying uncool and it will stop.

And, how do you do that?

Activities that involve education. Activities that involve reflecting on how people are working to be a better friend. There are whole research centers and programs on this.

These things go on in the schools ALL the time. Certainly, these activities do need to be provided in the schools, but you are quite naïve if you think this is going to make bullying "uncool" to the bullies.

There are schools where a culture of caring is felt throughout the community. Where people will stick up for the bullied. Some schools do this better than others.

[Anonymous]

Most schools consider themselves to be a caring community, but lack effective problem solving skills. They are reluctant to switch classes (see other thread on this). They just hope that things will get better, without making changes and decisions to ensure safety. This is why we left our FCPS elementary school, one that claims to be a haven of kindness and diversity. Not our experience at all. Bullying can happen at any school, but this FCPS was especially negligent at dealing with ongoing bullying. I wonder if it is possibly the same school that OP's child attends.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes, there are two sides to a story. I was in at a program at our MS. There was a parent there who was complaining about her DS's elementary school. She talked about how all the kids bullied her DS and the teachers and administration--in her mind--did nothing. I was sympathetic to her, and then she talked about how mean one of the girls was to DS. Then, she let slip that DS had had a crush on this girl and everyone knew it. Then, I figured it out--this girl had been taunted by other kids about this boy's crush. She was mean to him because she had become a victim. This mom could not see that at all. She only saw what happened with her son.

That does not mean, the school should not have helped. What it means, is that sometimes we only see things through tunnel vision and only care about our own child. This woman had no clue that her son was contributing to another child's misery.

[Anonymous]

Did you ever find help?

[Anonymous]

Our DS went through the same thing in FCPS.
Youngest in the class,most petite and smallest in age as well as physically.
Bullying went on for the whole year and no one reported or took care of it until she refused to go to school.

Teacher said they were observing and will report to the Special to keep an eye.
Nothing was done to the bully. Principal was non intervening.

We pulled her out and had her private school.
Most important we worked with her to change her thought process and how to deal when someone tries to bully you.
Got her mentally strong and supportive so she can deal with similar situation if it arises again.
She is now back in FCPS doing awesome and strong supportive of antibullying.

Instead of hiring Attorney's to deal with the situation , work with your kids to teach him to deal with it.
Bullying happens at all stages of life, he needs to learn the skills to handle it.

Wishing all the very best for your child.

[Anonymous]

OP did not come back and she was already looking for an attorney before the school year even started. I am guessing there is some problem behavior on both sides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP did not come back and she was already looking for an attorney before the school year even started. I am guessing there is some problem behavior on both sides.

What are you talking about?? OP posted in January. That was more than enough time for administration to actually do something. I saw nothing to indicate OP did not give the system a chance. Hoping OP comes back to update.

[Anonymous]

FCPS has school guidance counselors, school psychologists and pyramid behavioral specialists. It seems like those professionals should be able to help a bully stop bullying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DS went through the same thing in FCPS.
Youngest in the class,most petite and smallest in age as well as physically.
Bullying went on for the whole year and no one reported or took care of it until she refused to go to school.

Teacher said they were observing and will report to the Special to keep an eye.
Nothing was done to the bully. Principal was non intervening.

We pulled her out and had her private school.
Most important we worked with her to change her thought process and how to deal when someone tries to bully you.
Got her mentally strong and supportive so she can deal with similar situation if it arises again.
She is now back in FCPS doing awesome and strong supportive of antibullying.

Instead of hiring Attorney's to deal with the situation , work with your kids to teach him to deal with it.
Bullying happens at all stages of life, he needs to learn the skills to handle it.

Wishing all the very best for your child.

You can't hire an attorney anytime there is a problem for your child. Hiring one now is setting a bad precedent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was bullied physically and emotionally. We considered the attorney route, having documented emails and calls, over the course of two years. It was too much for our son and for us to deal with. We just needed to get out, and went to private school where he is happy and safe. The administration and staff at our school did nothing, and when I inquired about pupil placement at another local school, they said I would need to work with the negligent principal to make that happen. My kid could not take another day, we kept him at home often. I considered going up the ladder beyond the school, but eventually it would come back to the school and we had no trust in them to handle it. I was angry and wanted justice, but all that matters is your child's wellbeing. Get him out of that situation. I wish I could give you a hug, people don't know how rough it is. This is not your fault, not your child's fault. We had to work very hard in therapy to regain our child's trust after how the bully, teacher, other staff treated him. Good luck to your family.

+1 Yes to this, been there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DS went through the same thing in FCPS.
Youngest in the class,most petite and smallest in age as well as physically.
Bullying went on for the whole year and no one reported or took care of it until she refused to go to school.

Teacher said they were observing and will report to the Special to keep an eye.
Nothing was done to the bully. Principal was non intervening.

We pulled her out and had her private school.
Most important we worked with her to change her thought process and how to deal when someone tries to bully you.
Got her mentally strong and supportive so she can deal with similar situation if it arises again.
She is now back in FCPS doing awesome and strong supportive of antibullying.

Instead of hiring Attorney's to deal with the situation , work with your kids to teach him to deal with it.
Bullying happens at all stages of life, he needs to learn the skills to handle it.

Wishing all the very best for your child.

You can't hire an attorney anytime there is a problem for your child. Hiring one now is setting a bad precedent.

Wrong. Often, the only time indifferent schools pay attention is when lawyers enter the scene and the possibility of a lawsuit hangs over them. Sue away if needed.