Reply to At my wit’s end-bullying

Forum Index » Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

Reply to "At my wit’s end-bullying "

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]1. Get a lawyer who specializes in these issues -- start with whoever you used to get your IEP, or post on the special needs/special issues boards for recommendations. Get the lawyer do whatever it takes to have her moved to a different school, because this one is never going to address these issues and even if they pretend to, she will be stuck with the same kids, who aren't going to change. Yes, a lawyer will be expensive, but so is therapy, which your DD will need down the road if this continues. If (G-d forbid) she attempts to harm herself when she's older, treatment is expensive too. It sounds callous to put in those terms but if money is the barrier, think of it that way. Spend the money now, up front, where it can do more good.

2. Private school -- again, is the issue money? A lot of privates have scholarships. Catholic schools are often cheaper and, from what I have observed in my local Catholic schools in MD, tend to be quite diverse with lots of black/brown kids. You don't have to commit to Catholic education forever, either. Just elementary school while you figure out other options like moving. Also, lawyer might be able to advise you on whether you can have the public school system pay for private on the theory that they are refusing to remediate a harmful environment and won't accommodate child at another public school.

3. Does your daughter participate in any activities outside of school or spend time in environments that are majority black/AA? Like a black church, or church-sponsored summer camp, or some other activity that I'm sure AA posters on here can recommend? If not, get her into something like that ASAP and make it a permanent feature of your week. At least once a week she spends time in an environment where she does not stand out, where the kids look like her, where blackness is celebrated and beautiful. (It should be celebrated as beautiful everywhere but clearly it's not.) Maybe her older siblings can go too. And she can't be allowed to pull away from her black parent like you describe. (Also, don't be surprised that if/when you put her in an environment with all or mostly black kids, she tries to act out some of the abuse that's been perpetrated on her, like saying she is the most beautiful because her skin is lightest, or something -- you may need to head that off before it happens or be vigilant.)

This is a really tough situation but you aren't trapped. She is still very young. You can change this now. It will be uncomfortable and difficult and take money that you may not have, but it will be worth it. Hugs.
[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics