Bullying in school

I support the efforts of Dakota DeRemus’ family in putting an end to bullying (2/8, A-1, “An age-old problem turns tragic; As Dakota DeRemus’ family prepares to bury him, they call for more ways to fight bullying”).

I, too, was teased nearly all day, every day by classmates in my fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. The teachers had to have seen it; one even perpetuated it by ridiculing me loudly and often during class because of my inattentiveness.

I know now that I could not attend in class because of depression, for which I am being treated.

I can still hear the taunts and feel the pain. The experience, however, has made me, as a teacher, tender and protective toward those who suffer this kind of abuse.

I believe that schools should be held accountable for the bullying that takes place on campus. Child and parent should have their report of abuse go on record with an administrator’s signature and receive a copy themselves.

The school’s efforts to resolve this problem should be recorded as well, with scheduled meetings to review progress made.

Unfortunately, none of this will be taken seriously until someone files a lawsuit that brings a law holding schools responsible.

Judy Jordan
Blue Springs

Regarding the tragic death of Dakota DeRemus: The school district says that it is only concerned with the safety of the children, but if you ask any parent of a child who is bullied or harassed you will hear a very different side of the story.

Part of the answer is that all schools need to take responsibility for what they allow to go on. To claim that they have no responsibility because something occurred off school property, or because there were no witnesses, is an outrageous failing.

The fact is that these kids normally meet each other in school. Their relationships are formed and reinforced on school grounds, and within the school community with all sorts of witnesses through the years to their interactions.

Whether or not some act has actually occurred on school property, if there has been a history of difficulty between those children at school that has not been addressed, the school is participating in the offense.

Brad Barnwell
Ottawa, Kan.

Comments

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

Tom K you are so right. I think they should allow the bullies to be beatdown.
Unfortunately it would affect their oh so precious sports programs and we can not have that. Star athletes and thugs come first. I wish I were back in highschool now, I'd like to see one of these bullies try to give me some s**t.

[Tom K]

"One more step in the wussification of the American male. If a child gets bullied and he fights back, he is in as much trouble as the punk who started it. If he reports to the teacher, he is a sissy and a tattle tale. Either way he is taught to be a victim."

They were doing that forty years ago. The fact was that there was one set of rules for the bullies and one set of rules for the rest of us. The school teachers and administration supported the bullies. This explains a lot of suicides and homicides.

[JUNGLEJACK]

Yet another problem that could be solved by the introduction of a school voucher system.

Under a voucher system, schools would no longer have the pressure of accepting every child in their district. They could more easily expel problem students - and parents of bullying victims could find a new school for their child without moving across the state.

[stone]

NMMNG-
I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the offer

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

jack you see you and I agree on some things. It is wussyfication. That's what socialism and yuppieism have done to this country. Soft skinned, PC wussies.

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

stone I do not take OC medications or prescribed medicines. However I would be more than willing to kick you in the nuts for free.

[jack]

One more step in the wussification of the American male. If a child gets bullied and he fights back, he is in as much trouble as the punk who started it. If he reports to the teacher, he is a sissy and a tattle tale. Either way he is taught to be a victim.

[stone]

wow. I agree with Mark Robertson and NMMNG. note to self: lay off the pseudophedrine.

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

Sol I agree but I also say expect payback when a kid gets harrased.
My mom always said to tell the teacher, well that was never a pliable option as schools ALWAYS take the side of Mr. Popular QB or whatever jock was trying to show off for his little friends. I remember getting suspended in 6th grade on my second day of school. I started a new school, only knew 1 person that lived in my apartment complex, some kid immediately started jacking with me, I told him cool it, he took a swing and I sent his a$$ to the hospital. He was popular so they took his side. He took the first swing, he did not get suspended. I defended myself, I get suspended. Get over it? I am not an advoacte of violaence but I say if you are bullied at school or even at work, simply beat the living crap out of the bully, when they are down and saying to stop, beat them some more, inflict as much pain as humanly possible. In this they will never bully again. Or as W calls it "resolve".

[Mark Robertson]

The parents or guardians of those who bully should be held responsible as well. That would be somthing new for them, because bullies come from irresponsible homes. Thankyou.

Mark Robertson
Independence

[kcstar_is_one_sided]

Bullying has been around forever, but it still is a problem worth dealing with. NMMNG is right, often the bullyer's parents turn a blind eye. In today's environment though, if you have a kid being bullied, you can call those parents and tell them to make it stop or you'll press charges.

The major difference seems to be that today, there are few if no fights in school. In my day, things seemed to work themselves out, as a bully would often pick on the wrong kid and get his clock cleaned.

[solomon]

Bullying has not been around for decades, its been around since the beginnings of humanity. Get over it.

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

Bullying has been common in schools for decades. Often who gets held accountable is political. School administrators must fear being sued, racial claims, targeting, profiling, etc. I agree parents need to be held accounatble as well. teach your kids to behave and not bully. My experiences in school seemed that it was always some kid who's parents refused to accpet that their little timmy was a punk. Today I think many of these kids get isolated and lose all hope. We need to stop blaming TV, video games and music and start blaming the parents for allowing it to happen.