My grandson has an inoperable cancerous brain tumor and, although he is doing well, has an uncertain future. He started middle school in Huntington Beach and has been bullied by another student almost daily for several months.
This other student has punched, threatened and harassed him daily. He also uses profane and demeaning language to ridicule my grandson when in a group. My grandson had always liked school and was unhappy last year when he had to miss school while completing radiation treatments. However, because of this bully's actions, he no longer likes going to school. His oncologist has told us that stress is bad for his condition so we are at a loss as to how to stop this other child.
My grandson’s parents have met with the school on three different occasions asking for protection but we have not seen any changes and the boy has not been suspended. The principal tells us that this is a very important issue but she can't tell us what actions they have taken to ameliorate the situation or resolve it. At the last recent meeting, she indicated that they have spoken to the parents and "laid out a plan to improve his behavior both socially and scholastically". We have no idea what this means since the bully is still in school and terrorizing more than just our grandson. Other boys are also afraid of him.
Before the Christmas break, my grandson got punched and he pushed the boy away. The teacher who saw the altercation, reprimanded both boys and told my grandson that any more complaints or whining from him and he would be the one suspended. Now he is afraid of both the bully and the teacher.
Their solution was to keep my grandson in the classroom during recess, and they have shown us their lack of willingness to stop this.
Do schools have the tools or resources necessary to stop a bully's behavior? Do we have a better chance by contacting the district and demonstrate to them that we are serious about protecting our grandson? We would like to handle this without causing more stress for him. He is still receiving treatments for his condition and would prefer to make things easier for him and not create a more chaotic situation.
We would appreciate your input and advice.
Stories like these send a chill down my spine. I would like to say all schools are doing all things to help all kids, but a situation as unique as this one calls for unique and specific actions.
I would say it is time to get the district involved. This needs to stop and there is more the school can do to help him.
The district and school should work to protect him and his health. He can actually have a 504 plan, I believe, and this can be a way to accommodate him physically with specific support from teachers and the school.
It would be hard to believe that another child would want to continually harm someone who is already dealing with a brain tumor, and it makes me wonder if the school has truly informed the boy and the parents of the boy of the serious nature of his actions.
Talk to the district, and do not stop until your grandson feels better and safe.
