Seeking attorney to help us with bullying problem at FCPS
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Anonymous
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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. |
Anonymous
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I don't have any attorney suggestions, but I wish you good luck! Two teacher household here and we were just discussing last night about how the SR & Rs really have "no teeth".
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Anonymous
| I would say your son's civil rights are being violated but, well, that's a non-starter now. |
Anonymous
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Is it possible the bully has an IEP and that is influencing the school's inaction?
I wish you well. Bullying is horrible. |
Anonymous
| 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. |
Anonymous
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I can't believe you're considering hiring an attorney for this. What do you think the attorney will possibly do? Are you considering suing? I'd instead spend your time and energy on teaching your child to stand up for himself. There really isn't much the school can do besides make sure all children follow the rules. They can't constantly watch your child and make sure other kids aren't saying mean things. I think you need to really step back and think long and hard about how you got to a place where you're considering an attorney for other kids teasing your child.
Also - i would make sure you have your facts straight. My SIL claimed to be bullied and my in-laws hired an attorney. They love getting lawyers involved in things. Well turned out their precious angel was the bully the entire time! |
Anonymous
| Document everything. Pictures of abuse, have classmates (friends) write or record statements of witnessing abuse. The next time he hits your child, instruct your child to beat the shit out of him |
Anonymous
| What is it you expect the school to do?? |
Anonymous
| Put your son in a different school or a different classroom. Your son is just going to feel worse if he has to talk about this over and over with adults (principal, attorney, teachers) because you sued. |
Anonymous
| Change what you have control over: switch schools or switch classes. If you hire a lawyer to sue the school or the kid, that will be an expensive nightmare. Save your energy and money. |
Anonymous
| I am sorry you are dealing with this. |
Anonymous
This is easier said than done. I teach in an elementary school. The SR & Rs state that no child will be allowed to disrupt the learning of others, yet we have to experience it daily. What's in the SR & R booklet will only work if the consequences are enforced. |
Anonymous
| 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. |
Anonymous
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Teach your kid how to operate a hidden camera. Get this abuse on video. Have a meeting with school officials after the incidents you video. BUT DON'T show the video.
Instead, use the witness statements and so forth. Record the meeting with school officials where they do nothing. Then and only then go to Fox-5 news with video of the abuse and the meeting with school officials. Then let Fox-5 do its thing. Between the video, the sympathetic interview with your family, the interview with a professor about the harms of bullying, and the footage Fox-5 will get of school officials racing away from their cameras...both the bully AND the school officials will be toast. |
Anonymous
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. |