I began critically examining the social climate of the Middle School when the girl who had been bullying my daughter all year was awarded a Renaissance (citizenship) award.

It is not that the administration didn't know about the bullying -- not only was it reported (by eyewitnesses) weeks before she was given the award, but the girl was called into the guidance office and reprimanded. After she received the award, she bullied and was reported again, but the award wasn't taken away. A clear message was sent both to this girl and to all of the students who know her as a bully: bullying is acceptable here -- even rewarded.

Is this the Middle School's definition of "zero tolerance"?

The superintendent has told me that my story is only that: a story, and I am the only parent who has complained to him. He maintains that the social climate at the Middle School is nothing out of the ordinary, and the administration handles bullying appropriately. He agreed that a study of bullying would be a good thing, but said that it wouldn't be appropriate for him to "mandate" a study in the school.

What do we pay the superintendent $109,000 a year for, well above (nearly double) the median household income of the children in his schools, if he cannot mandate a study of the school environment?

The superintendent needs to hear more stories from parents about the social climate of the middle school.

Let's use this group to share our stories and discuss possible solutions. Lets put together something we can take to the superintendent, or if he is as powerless as he claims, to the school committee, the newspapers, or the DOE.

This is not a crusade, and it is absolutely not my crusade. I think it is a problem that belongs to all of us, and we should all be instrumental in the solution. I want our children to be safe and attending a school with an environment conducive to learning.

If you want the same thing, please join the discussion