Racism in a public school

[hveatch]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Indiana.

My son should be starting the 3rd grade this school year, however, I've run into a snag. The school district that we live in seems to condone racial slurs and they have been directed toward my son. I didn't make an issue of it because I had decided to transfer him to where my parents live to go to school. Somehow, Indiana has locked down transfer students and the only way I can get him to another school district is to give up my parental rights or simply move. I don't like either of those ideas. Is there any way around this to where my son could attend a different school? Is it possible to move him due to the children harassing him?

Any help is appreciated, I'm at my wits end.

 

[notsmartmark]

Ask the school to see their harassment, intimidation and bullying procedures. Have your child report the harassment when it occurs to his teacher. Read and follow the procedures. Racism still exsists in ours and most cultures. The harassment, intimidation and bullying procedures do not mean that it will not occur. What must be in place is procedures to deal with offending behavior that is reported. Plus, it's a hard lesson to learn at such a young age, but I think you should view this as a means to teach your child about others and himself. I do have concerns about moving him to a different school. There are time to cut and run, but I hope you have considered the impacts that leaving will cause.

 

[tigger22472]

Indiana either already has or soon will be inacting their 'anti bullying' statutes. I do believe this would constitute under that.

http://www.doe.state.in.us/media/video/bullying.html

Here is an e-mail addy of SueEllen Reed the State Superintendent [email protected].

Here's the anti bully manual... look it over and see what is there....

http://www.doe.state.in.us/sservices/pdf/bully_manual.pdf

Of course after seeing if it qualifies you will have to have proof as to the alleged events.

 

[hveatch]

Thank You!

That manual is an excellent resource and I found a lot of things that I chalked up to a "moody" grade schooler added up to him being bullied. The unfortunate thing is, I didn't document anything because I just thought I would move him to another school at the beginning of this year. The reason for the move is because the new school I would like him to attend DOES have a program like the one in the manual in place there. So, I guess my question is, since nothing has been documented where do I go from here?

 

[notsmartmark]

Use this as a means of teaching your son about the history of racism. Talk about the reasons it occurred and continues to occur, the struggles and the victories. Racism starts with ignorance or the lack of information, a great endeavor for the school system.

Work with your school. Let them know that you want to work with them. If the school feels that they are being attacked, the natural response is to fight or flight. It’s too bad that some schools respond such in a way if they feel they are being attacked, but it is a natural human response, which should be included in the lessons for your son. Dr. King and the peace marchers overcame this natural respond to fight or flight, which is at the heart of the power of the movement. They were not going to go away, and they were going to make change happen. Let your school know you will have the same resolve. Teach it to your child. Teach it to the school.

You are there to move the issue of racism further. Make them see that the issues of racism, harassment, intimidation and bullying need to be proactively addressed in the school. If another school has a good program and procedures, show them to your school. Document all of your attempts. Work with your son’s teacher and the school’s principal. If the school refuses to work with you, talk to the superintendent. If that fails to produce results, present the issues to the school board. Next go to the local paper and/or state department of education. Include your son in each of the steps. Teach him that you can address issues in a proactive positive method, even difficult, hurtful events. And finally, make sure that you are willing to reincorporate people who are willing to change their position. Healing and forgiveness are the most powerful lessons your son can learn when someone does something out of ignorance.

 

[hveatch]

Wow!

I have been wondering if that is the choice that I want to make, subjecting my son to anymore hurt is really what I'm interested in. However, I agree that he is not the only child being bullied and I also believe that everyone deserves to have all sides of any story. It will be an interesting journey and I hope one that my son learns a lot while we're on it. I printed off the "Bully" handbook and I will probably take it with me when I have my first meetings with the school. Wish me luck I'm sure I'll have more questions and will be back with them!

Thanks for the help!

 

[tigger22472]

Yes, by all means throw their manual in their face and show them what THEIR responsibilities are and make sure they uphold to them.

Here's my thoughts on this. You aren't necessarily going to do your son any favors by removing him unless there is severe problems going on at that school. It's sad to say but racism is everywhere and it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. You son should be aware of this. Let him know those that use those words or treat him differently aren't worth his time. I know, easier said then done but until EVERY parents stops the cycle of racism it is going to be there.

My children lived the first several years of their lives in a large city with a great racial diversity (Indianapolis). There were never issues. In fact my youngest son was the ONLY white boy at a day care for a while (so there was a great potential for racism there). We moved to a town a bit smaller and there was only one African American family in the neighborhood. Those little boys were at my house more then theirs I think until they moved. A year later I moved to a town where there are only 3 African American's in the ENTIRE school system. There are hispanics in the community however.

One day driving down the road my son pointed to a house and said "That's where THOSE Mexican's live." Thankfully it was a country road as I hit the brakes and looked at him and reminded him that his mom didn't raise bigots. I of course had to explain the word when I was done. My point is that he had to have gotten this attitude from school from other kids who in turn got it from home. So regardless of what we teach our children racism is out there.

It would be unfair to your son to shelter him from it because it's not any better for adults who have been sheltered all their life when they hit the real world then those that knew what to expect.