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Headland Elementary Fails to Stop Bullying


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Posted by: le
Date: Aug 24 2012 1:35 PM

With summer vacation ending & preparing for a new school year, I was very upset to learn that my child was a victim of a major bullying problem at Headland Elementary last year. My 11 year old was in the 5th grade at Headland last year & shared his worries about starting back due to a terrible harassing experience. My child explained that he as well as many other students (boys & girls) were constantly bullied; the cruel acts were never put to a stop by the administration of Mrs. Shipes. These incidents happened mainly on the HES playground during P.E.- cussing, physical threats, & continued harassment. He went further to say that one day both the bullies & victims were all called to the office; however, the rule breakers were simply sent back to class without any negative consequence. He explained that his teachers did try to help, and I am thankful for their efforts. If I had known what was going on, I would have gone to the board; my child was scared to say anything.It's a school's responsibility to provide a safe & positive learning environment for all children. Secondly, I believe if a school is lax in responding to a bully, we as parents can and should explore legal means of forcing the school act. HES should be ashamed for being a school making hoopla of their anti-bullying programs including signs that are posted throughout the halls. Mrs. Shipes, you responded in decidedly less-than-effective ways. If you are continuing to fail to enforce school rules which are outlined in the Student Handbook & fail in protecting our children from emotional scaring, you must put retirement at the top of your to-do-list. In my personal opinion, it’s long overdue!

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dville24 - Oct 22 2012 12: AM 07:58
Im new to rickey stokes and came across this article. My daughter is 13 in 8th grade at daleville. She is having a bad time with high schoolers calling her ugly and fat. She is taking this harrassment to heart and she is not her usual self. I went to the school and was pleased with the cooperation of the principal and the parental involvement coordinator. However when I asked what the school has in place to promote October as anti bully month the conversation steered in another direction. I think schools really need to promote this better. This is happening more than we relize and children are scared and hurt to say anything. Its sad that my honor roll student who loved school and marches with the band doesnt want to go to school anymore.
WSeals - Oct 16 2012 12: AM 20:27
I work at a school & bullying is such a hard thing to get a handle of. Bullying & not being able to get along are 2 totally different things. Not saying your kid was not bullied but we see literally 6 of our 8 hours trying to settle problems & a lot of them are I don't like the way they treat me not bullying. Just saying this to let you know so many kids can't get along these days and take a little rejection that they take away from the truly bullied kids. If someone in your room don't like you or say they don't like the way you look it is really not bullying unless they do it a lot. It is so hard but kids are just not taught to stand up for themselves these days and to be proud of who they are. Teach your kid to stand up strong & believe in himself. Prayers going up for all these kids!
LAZebra - Aug 28 2012 12: AM 10:04
The best thing you could ever do for your child is teach him/her to stand up for his/her self. I am not saying you should not express your concerns to the teahers and administrators at you child's school. But, you should also be teaching your child to have some fortitude. You will not always be around to stick up for them.

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