Bullying - advice and Dcps policy
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Anonymous
| My DC is been bullied in school by another kid. The administration knows and some adults has seen some of the behavior (physically abusive behavior), they are also aware of the emotionally abuse behavior (insults, threats..) but the haven't seen it (this only happens when adults are not nearby). But nothing has been done so far. Any advice about how to get the school to react? does dcps have a policy about bullying ? Any advice about how to deal with this situation? |
Anonymous
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DCPS has a complex grieving/appeal process that ultimately ends with DCPS being the final arbiter. All the while, your kid is getting traumatized; nevertheless you should get this started. If you're complainig to the principal getting no where, you should also start complaining to her/his central office manager too. , You can also sue in Superior Court to get emergency relief.
In the end, you should start looking at parochial or private, because DCPS isn't going to be helpful. You can forget about Grosso giving a hoot. |
Anonymous
| These are good citywide resources and might help you connect to someone outside the school level who could be a resource: https://ohr.dc.gov/page/bullyingprevention |
Anonymous
Thank you! |
Anonymous
| In our DPCS we never had to go farther than one meeting with the principal. If you have met face to face with the principal more than once, and nothing has changed, go to the ombudsman. |
Anonymous
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You make it clear to the school/principal that inaction will not be tolerated. Is this elementary, middle or high school?
Don't hesitate to go above the principal if you don't get a satisfactory response. Be willing to contact an attorney who can send a letter on your behalf. familiarize yourself with the policies in place at DCPS and be able to point to them in talking with the school so they know that you know what they should be doing to step in. Most importantly, keep you child talking to you about this and demonstrate that you have her back. https://dcps.dc.gov/chapter25 https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Guidance%20Regarding%20Select%20Chapter%2025%20Provisions%20Behavior%20and%20Disciplinary%20Responses.pdf https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Chapter%2025%20Provisions%20Alternatives%20to%20Suspension%20Version%201-5.pdf Most importantly, if this continues take your child out of this situation. |
Anonymous
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Thank you to everyone for your helpful replies. Could anyway share positive actions that the school could take? My DC is an 8th grader and he is already very unhappy about the bullying and not very willing to share details with us. I think DC feels ashamed of not being able to handle the situation alone. His self esteem is suffering and going to school is not fun anymore.
I know that another student physically defended my DC (my DC didn’t share with me) and the school knows it is happening. If the school talks to the parents of the other student could they named my DC? DC is terrified that the other child may know that he has complained. |
Anonymous
| I would show up to the meeting with a lawyer trained in DC education issues. That MIGHT force them to do something. |
Anonymous
Standard practice (not saying it's a good idea) is usually to have a peer mediation -- e.g. forcing the two kids to meet and talk with an admin or counselor. Even if your school doesn't want to take this approach, it is very likely that the offending child will know exactly who reported him. If you have been complaining in writing (you need a paper trail) and nothing is improving I would seriously ask for your child to be moved to different classes away from the other child, or for a special transfer to another school. I'd also get private counseling for your child in any case. |
Anonymous
| Is this deal? If so, could your child or the bully be switched to another team? It doesn’t solve the problem but while you work with the school and District to address the bullying it could be helpful for your son to get of this kid’s sights. |
Anonymous
| Does the bullying consist of anything on social media? Evidence you can capture? |
froggymom
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| I'm sorry that you and your child have to go through this painful situation. Bullying is never acceptable and the school should act on any report of bullying immediately. In the meantime there are some resources ( http://bit.ly/2By0vbH ) that may help. Continue to press the principal for help. |
Anonymous
Thanks all the helpful suggestions and all the information. I may ask for my kid to be switched to a different class, my only hesitation is that DC may perceived the change as a punished since he would have to leave the friends behind, while the other kid is allowed to maintain his routine and his group. DC is already unhappy that the I have made the administrators aware of the bullying (I am sadly surprised that they didn’t see what was going on for months). |
Anonymous
| When I was a 5th grader moved to a new school in Fairfax county. Within a few weeks I had a bully. My mom tried to get the school to do something about it but the bully just more mad. So one day the bully as usual, began to was shove and taunt me. Decided I would try something more than avoiding and ignoring so I punched him as hard as i could, knocked him to the ground and kicked him around until administrators came. Did this in front of entire class at recess. I was suspended for a week. My mom was livid that I did this and warned me that afternoon that my dad would punish me severely. Dad came home asked what happened and ordered me a pizza (My favorite). All bullying stopped and it became easier to make friends. One of the best lessons my very imperfect dad taught me. |
Anonymous
This is listed on that page, but want to draw attention to it -- all schools are required to have a bullying prevention point of contact. You can find yours here: https://ohr.dc.gov/page/knowyourpolicy |