Re: bullying; teasing

August 19, 2003

My 9 yr old, PDDNOS, is fully included in the 4th grade. We are having MAJOR

problems with some children teasing him. The things they do to him are not much

different than typical children do to each other. However, a few have found his

'Meltdown' buttons and relish causing him anguish, then laughing in his face.

They make sure the teachers are not watching, but this has gone on so much that

all know it is happening. Several of the faculty are approaching me privately

and telling me things.

My questions are: Do children with a disability have any 'extra' protection

against bullying than typical children? And, what would you do in my position?

Being bullied in Burleson,

Jack

August 19, 2003

My 9 yr old, PDDNOS, is fully included in the 4th grade. We are having MAJOR

problems with some children teasing him. The things they do to him are not much

different than typical children do to each other. However, a few have found his

'Meltdown' buttons and relish causing him anguish, then laughing in his face.

They make sure the teachers are not watching, but this has gone on so much that

all know it is happening. Several of the faculty are approaching me privately

and telling me things.

My questions are: Do children with a disability have any 'extra' protection

against bullying than typical children? And, what would you do in my position?

Being bullied in Burleson,

Jack

August 19, 2003

Jack, have you talked with his teacher about it? It's apparent to everyone

else, so why isn't the teacher taking steps to intervene? If that route doesn't

end the bullying, you can write a Gebser letter. In short, you write a letter

complaining that no corrective actions are being made to end discrimination

against your child. That individual can be liable in a suit for monetary

damages...what's different about a Gebser letter is that it puts the

responsibility back on individuals, not the school district. In other words,

the buck can't be passed.

Go to this link to learn more about it:

http://www.reedmartin.com/tenstepstoasuccessfulcomplaint.htm

Best of luck.

Geraldine

RE: bullying; teasing

My 9 yr old, PDDNOS, is fully included in the 4th grade. We are having MAJOR

problems with some children teasing him. The things they do to him are not much

different than typical children do to each other. However, a few have found his

'Meltdown' buttons and relish causing him anguish, then laughing in his face.

They make sure the teachers are not watching, but this has gone on so much that

all know it is happening. Several of the faculty are approaching me privately

and telling me things.

My questions are: Do children with a disability have any 'extra' protection

against bullying than typical children? And, what would you do in my position?

Being bullied in Burleson,

Jack

August 19, 2003

Jack, have you talked with his teacher about it? It's apparent to everyone

else, so why isn't the teacher taking steps to intervene? If that route doesn't

end the bullying, you can write a Gebser letter. In short, you write a letter

complaining that no corrective actions are being made to end discrimination

against your child. That individual can be liable in a suit for monetary

damages...what's different about a Gebser letter is that it puts the

responsibility back on individuals, not the school district. In other words,

the buck can't be passed.

Go to this link to learn more about it:

http://www.reedmartin.com/tenstepstoasuccessfulcomplaint.htm

Best of luck.

Geraldine

RE: bullying; teasing

My 9 yr old, PDDNOS, is fully included in the 4th grade. We are having MAJOR

problems with some children teasing him. The things they do to him are not much

different than typical children do to each other. However, a few have found his

'Meltdown' buttons and relish causing him anguish, then laughing in his face.

They make sure the teachers are not watching, but this has gone on so much that

all know it is happening. Several of the faculty are approaching me privately

and telling me things.

My questions are: Do children with a disability have any 'extra' protection

against bullying than typical children? And, what would you do in my position?

Being bullied in Burleson,

Jack

August 19, 2003

Yes, I have spoken with his teacher (new and seems to be doing the best she

can), principal, and anyone else who would listen. To make a long story short,

the new teacher was stuck with all the Inclusion and behavior problem children.

I have been documenting each day and sending it to the principal, but to no

avail.

I did not know about a Gebser letter. God bless you and thanks.

Jack

Jack, have you talked with his teacher about it? It's apparent to everyone

else, so why isn't the teacher taking steps to intervene? If that route doesn't

end the bullying, you can write a Gebser letter. In short, you write a letter

complaining that no corrective actions are being made to end discrimination

against your child. That individual can be liable in a suit for monetary

damages...what's different about a Gebser letter is that it puts the

responsibility back on individuals, not the school district. In other words,

the buck can't be passed.

Go to this link to learn more about it:

http://www.reedmartin.com/tenstepstoasuccessfulcomplaint.htm

Best of luck.

Geraldine

RE: bullying; teasing

My 9 yr old, PDDNOS, is fully included in the 4th grade. We are having MAJOR

problems with some children teasing him. The things they do to him are not much

different than typical children do to each other. However, a few have found his

'Meltdown' buttons and relish causing him anguish, then laughing in his face.

They make sure the teachers are not watching, but this has gone on so much that

all know it is happening. Several of the faculty are approaching me privately

and telling me things.

My questions are: Do children with a disability have any 'extra' protection

against bullying than typical children? And, what would you do in my position?

Being bullied in Burleson,

Jack

August 19, 2003

Yes, I have spoken with his teacher (new and seems to be doing the best she

can), principal, and anyone else who would listen. To make a long story short,

the new teacher was stuck with all the Inclusion and behavior problem children.

I have been documenting each day and sending it to the principal, but to no

avail.

I did not know about a Gebser letter. God bless you and thanks.

Jack

Jack, have you talked with his teacher about it? It's apparent to everyone

else, so why isn't the teacher taking steps to intervene? If that route doesn't

end the bullying, you can write a Gebser letter. In short, you write a letter

complaining that no corrective actions are being made to end discrimination

against your child. That individual can be liable in a suit for monetary

damages...what's different about a Gebser letter is that it puts the

responsibility back on individuals, not the school district. In other words,

the buck can't be passed.

Go to this link to learn more about it:

http://www.reedmartin.com/tenstepstoasuccessfulcomplaint.htm

Best of luck.

Geraldine

RE: bullying; teasing

My 9 yr old, PDDNOS, is fully included in the 4th grade. We are having MAJOR

problems with some children teasing him. The things they do to him are not much

different than typical children do to each other. However, a few have found his

'Meltdown' buttons and relish causing him anguish, then laughing in his face.

They make sure the teachers are not watching, but this has gone on so much that

all know it is happening. Several of the faculty are approaching me privately

and telling me things.

My questions are: Do children with a disability have any 'extra' protection

against bullying than typical children? And, what would you do in my position?

Being bullied in Burleson,

Jack

August 19, 2003

I found this when I looked to see what a " Gebser " letter was. It was at

http://www.reedmartin.com/tenstepstoasuccessfulcomplaint.htm

The ten steps in making a successful complaint, as described in the Supreme

Court cases of Gebser v. Lago Vista Indep. Sch. Dist. (1998) and v.

Monroe County Sch. Dist. (1999) are:

One, to show that you have notified a school person about the problem (we

would suggest the notification be in writing-- so that you can prove the

date of notification, the person who was notified, and what they were

notified about).

Two, you indicate that the school district (or state education agency) is a

recipient of federal financial assistance.

Three, you show that the person you complained to has the authority to

investigate your complaint and has the authority to correct the wrong when

they investigate.

Four, you state what the discriminatory activity against the child was (or

is, if it is still continuing).

Five, you state that the school district exercises control over the site

where the discrimination occurred (or is still occurring) and state that the

school district exercises control over the personnel who committed the

discriminatory acts (or continues to commit them).

Six, you explain that the discrimination was not a single act but was severe

and pervasive.

Seven, you show that the discrimination excluded the student from continuing

their participation in school, or denied the student the benefits of what

the other students in school have access to.

Eight, you indicate to the degree that you can, what you would like the

school to stop doing wrong and/or what you would like the school to start

doing right to stop this harm or to remediate its effects on the child.

Nine, you indicate that the school district or state education agency does

not have the required " grievance procedures " available to you under Section

504 (even if your child is on an IEP under the IDEA) that would allow you

the " prompt and equitable resolution " of your complaint, with the result

that the discrimination continued to harm the child.

Ten, you state that if the recipient of your complaint letter does not

investigate, or that if the recipient of your complaint letter does

investigate but takes no corrective action based on their findings, or takes

action but it is ineffective in ending the discrimination, that you are

entitled to claim that it shows deliberate indifference to the

discrimination which can make the individual liable in a suit for money

damages.

August 19, 2003

I found this when I looked to see what a " Gebser " letter was. It was at

http://www.reedmartin.com/tenstepstoasuccessfulcomplaint.htm

The ten steps in making a successful complaint, as described in the Supreme

Court cases of Gebser v. Lago Vista Indep. Sch. Dist. (1998) and v.

Monroe County Sch. Dist. (1999) are:

One, to show that you have notified a school person about the problem (we

would suggest the notification be in writing-- so that you can prove the

date of notification, the person who was notified, and what they were

notified about).

Two, you indicate that the school district (or state education agency) is a

recipient of federal financial assistance.

Three, you show that the person you complained to has the authority to

investigate your complaint and has the authority to correct the wrong when

they investigate.

Four, you state what the discriminatory activity against the child was (or

is, if it is still continuing).

Five, you state that the school district exercises control over the site

where the discrimination occurred (or is still occurring) and state that the

school district exercises control over the personnel who committed the

discriminatory acts (or continues to commit them).

Six, you explain that the discrimination was not a single act but was severe

and pervasive.

Seven, you show that the discrimination excluded the student from continuing

their participation in school, or denied the student the benefits of what

the other students in school have access to.

Eight, you indicate to the degree that you can, what you would like the

school to stop doing wrong and/or what you would like the school to start

doing right to stop this harm or to remediate its effects on the child.

Nine, you indicate that the school district or state education agency does

not have the required " grievance procedures " available to you under Section

504 (even if your child is on an IEP under the IDEA) that would allow you

the " prompt and equitable resolution " of your complaint, with the result

that the discrimination continued to harm the child.

Ten, you state that if the recipient of your complaint letter does not

investigate, or that if the recipient of your complaint letter does

investigate but takes no corrective action based on their findings, or takes

action but it is ineffective in ending the discrimination, that you are

entitled to claim that it shows deliberate indifference to the

discrimination which can make the individual liable in a suit for money

damages.

August 23, 2003

Jack,

Maybe this article will help.

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/new/releases/bullies.cfm

Bullies, Victims at Risk for Violence and Other Problem Behaviors

Bullying is not just a normal, if unpleasant, part of growing up, according

to Federal researchers. Rather, children who bully other children appear to

be at risk for engaging in more serious violent behaviors, such as frequent

fighting and carrying a weapon. ....................

We too had a bullying problem last year that school didn't seem able/willing

to resolve with our son who is 9. Finally got to the point that he refused

to go to school and if I forced the issue, he melted down and attacked. We

tried all the usual methods with no success. Anyway to shorten this, I

ended up telling him, in front of the counselor, to tell the teacher or

adult in charge ONE time what was happening, make sure they heard you and

wait for their answer. Then if it doesn't stop, deck the other kid.

Counselor went ballastic, said I couldn't tell G that. Told them I done

did, and since he has autism, he won't forget it, so they better get a grip

on the situation. She wanted to know what all this would accomplish, so I

told her it would stop the bullying, or the principal would have to call me

in everytime G hit the other kid and that would document how frequent the

bullying was. This is not an approach to use just anywhere! We're in a

VERY small rural school, under 850 kids Pre-K thru 12. I know the folks

well and they know I have the time to come several times a day if necessary

and that's the LAST thing they want.

Tonya

August 23, 2003