Daughter and friends being bullied

[boli2006]

What is the name of your state? Minnesota
My daughter and her friends are being bullied by a male student in the same grade. (11th)
He verbally threatened my daughter that she was in "severe danger". This was all brought to the principal's attention by the male party because one of the girls said to quit messing with them or she would kick his !!!. This girl weighs maybe 100 pounds compared to his maybe 200+. She finally only threatened him because of his threat to my daughter. When the kids spoke to the principal they basically took the male students side and told them to "start with a clean slate" and to "be respectful of each other". I feel that the threat needs to be dealt with more severely. He has been harassing these girls in one form or another since the beginning of the school year. They have tried to ignore him hoping he would stop. Now that it has escalated to threats and the school is doing nothing, do I have any recourse? What can I do to make them take this seriously? I kept my daughter home from school because she was afraid to go. Any help?

 

[fairisfair]

What is the name of your state? Minnesota
My daughter and her friends are being bullied by a male student in the same grade. (11th)
He verbally threatened my daughter that she was in "severe danger". This was all brought to the principal's attention by the male party because one of the girls said to quit messing with them or she would kick his !!!. This girl weighs maybe 100 pounds compared to his maybe 200+. She finally only threatened him because of his threat to my daughter. When the kids spoke to the principal they basically took the male students side and told them to "start with a clean slate" and to "be respectful of each other". I feel that the threat needs to be dealt with more severely. He has been harassing these girls in one form or another since the beginning of the school year. They have tried to ignore him hoping he would stop. Now that it has escalated to threats and the school is doing nothing, do I have any recourse? What can I do to make them take this seriously? I kept my daughter home from school because she was afraid to go. Any help?

what did the principal say when you addressed your concerns with him?

 

[boli2006]

Principal's response to bullying

He basically said he spoke with the student and that the kids were told to deal with each other in a respectful manner. He does not plan on pursuing it any further. We are concerned that this will keep escalating to the point of violence. School shootings happen everywhere and we are worried. I failed to mention that the student is a teacher's son. It shouldn't matter, but I guess it does.

 

[fairisfair]

He basically said he spoke with the student and that the kids were told to deal with each other in a respectful manner. He does not plan on pursuing it any further. We are concerned that this will keep escalating to the point of violence. School shootings happen everywhere and we are worried. I failed to mention that the student is a teacher's son. It shouldn't matter, but I guess it does.

that sounds like a reasonable response. What do YOU think he should do?

 

[seniorjudge]

...
I feel that the threat needs to be dealt with more severely.

....

By doing what?

 

[Happy Trails]

What does her school's "student handbook" state regarding bullying?

 

[GatorLaw]

While you said they are in the same grade, are they in any of the same classes? You might be able to talk to the teachers to watch out for your daughter to make sure she is not attacked if you feel the threat is serious enough. Of course, your daughter may object and be uncomfortable with that.

Also, like Happy Trails asked, does the school handbook outline any procedures for this type of behavior?

And, if you really want to start a crusade, I suppose you could go see the school board (going over the principal's head)

 

[BelizeBreeze]

He basically said he spoke with the student and that the kids were told to deal with each other in a respectful manner. He does not plan on pursuing it any further. We are concerned that this will keep escalating to the point of violence. School shootings happen everywhere and we are worried. I failed to mention that the student is a teacher's son. It shouldn't matter, but I guess it does.

It doesn't matter to the police. Write the principal a letter, send it CERTIFIED (RRR) with copies to the president of the school board and to the president of the PTA. In the letter, demand that something more than abdicating responsibility for the incident to the children. Also put the principal on notice that if the bullying is not address immediately to your satisfaction, you will have no choice but to enlist the help of the courts to enjoin the bully from his actions.

 

[boli2006]

thanks

Thanks for the advice. Last night we sent him ANOTHER e-mail and told him we want more done and that we are going by the school policy and he needs to also. My daughter was called in today to file a written report. I am hoping this will make some impact on the bully as nothing else has.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Thanks for the advice. Last night we sent him ANOTHER e-mail and told him we want more done and that we are going by the school policy and he needs to also. My daughter was called in today to file a written report. I am hoping this will make some impact on the bully as nothing else has.

STOP sending e-mail. Next time you need to write do so with the CERTIFIED (RRR) letter. e-mails can be deleted.

 

[tranquility]

Talking to the police is protected as, probably, is the principal. Writing letters to the school board and certainly to the PTA president is more risky. Be sure you state only what you *know* and not what you think. If you do write, write carefully and be aware you may be putting yourself at risk if you state "facts" which are not true.