Oh boy, son in school bus fight...

[DisneyBamaFan]

Well DS seems to be doing ok. The Dr. wants us to watch him for signs of concussion, and if anything worsens to call. But I think he is just a bit battered and bruised.

He looks ok. May end up with a black eye, nose is slightly swollen but he says it feels ok. His cheek and forehead hurt the worst right now and are already bruising.

I was able to get more details. They were not actually on the bus. It started on the bus, with the "smack" talk and was done. Then as they were getting off the bus at school the other child ran up to him from behind and started punching him in the face a few times then tackled him to the ground and started kneeing his head. He got all the scrapes from the asphalt. DS was a able to push him off and jump away.

So at this point i'm not even sure if there will be bus consequences for the other child. DS is not thrilled with the fact he may have to deal with him on the bus tomorrow or Monday.

I'm sad to hear all of the common stories. Kids can be so mean sometimes.

Wow! This is the type of assault that can land a kid in a juvie center. Are you sure that you want to just let it go?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

He looks ok. May end up with a black eye, nose is slightly swollen but he says it feels ok. His cheek and forehead hurt the worst right now and are already bruising.

It started on the bus, with the "smack" talk and was done. Then as they were getting off the bus at school the other child ran up to him from behind and started punching him in the face a few times then tackled him to the ground and started kneeing his head. He got all the scrapes from the asphalt. DS was a able to push him off and jump away.

Not a legal expert by any means, but this sounds like an assault and battery (and could be a police matter). Be sure to take pictures of his face and get a copy of the medical report to document his injuries in case you need to take action to stop this dude from hurting your kid any further.

 

[4forMe]

Not a legal expert by any means, but this sounds like an assault and battery (and could be a police matter). Be sure to take pictures of his face and get a copy of the medical report to document his injuries in case you need to take action to stop this dude from hurting your kid any further.

I completely agree with this and would suggest you take pictures of his face DAILY over the next couple of days as the bruising will get worse. These photos will help as evidence of injuries in case you decide to proceed with charges and also if you are not satisfied with the school's response to the situation. I personally would be livid if this kid was allowed back on the bus.

Have you talked to your DS yet about the prior incidents that have happened with this bully? This may not have been the first time he was physical towards your DS.

I'm so sorry this happened to your DS.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

JMO, but I don't think that kids end their lives because of bullying. If anyone ends their life at that age, there was something else at play - probably mental illness. Again, JMO...

A quick google of suicide and bullying yields many articles worldwide over this very issue.

Seems bullying causes depression, and depression can lead to suicide. The numbers are surprisingly high.

Bullying is an extremely serious problem in schools and can result in the victims becoming depressed and suicidal, and even taking their own lives.

http://www.suicide.org/bullying-and-suicide-information.html

The recent MA case, with others mentioned: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/cyber-...husetts-teen-irish-immigrant/story?id=9660938

The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center estimated that nearly 30 percent of American youth are either a bully or a target of bullying.

In addition, researchers at the Yale School of Medicine, in a new review of studies from 13 countries, found signs of an apparent connection between bullying, being bullied and suicide.

"The incidence of bullying is getting more and more frequent and takes lots of forms," said Herbert Nieberg, associate professor of criminal justice at Mitchell College in Connecticut and a psychologist who specializes in adolescents.

And when the bullying moves to the Internet, the trauma to the victim is "astronomically" escalated, according to Nieberg.

"In the old days kids would threaten to beat someone up, but now it's gone into the cyberworld," he told ABCNews.com. "Kids go on to Facebook because they get a wider audience than in the hallway."

 

[southtexasmom]

Well DS seems to be doing ok. The Dr. wants us to watch him for signs of concussion, and if anything worsens to call. But I think he is just a bit battered and bruised.

He looks ok. May end up with a black eye, nose is slightly swollen but he says it feels ok. His cheek and forehead hurt the worst right now and are already bruising.

I was able to get more details. They were not actually on the bus. It started on the bus, with the "smack" talk and was done. Then as they were getting off the bus at school the other child ran up to him from behind and started punching him in the face a few times then tackled him to the ground and started kneeing his head. He got all the scrapes from the asphalt. DS was a able to push him off and jump away.

So at this point i'm not even sure if there will be bus consequences for the other child. DS is not thrilled with the fact he may have to deal with him on the bus tomorrow or Monday.

I'm sad to hear all of the common stories. Kids can be so mean sometimes.

I'm sure he is worried about the bus ride with the same child again but its really important that he get back on that bus, if he doesn't he may be bullied again by the same or other kids. Your DS needs to report every single incident that occurs with the this child.

 

[LuvOrlando]

WOW, the kid who hit your DS is not right in the head. I have a DS12 and boys are rough, but this is by no means 'normal' boy behavior... unless normal includes a steel cage match. Normal kids do not go this far. Not only would I file a report but I would totally press charges. That kid could have killed your kid with kneeing to the face. He doesn't belong in school or anywhere near normal kids.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

A quick google of suicide and bullying yields many articles worldwide over this very issue.

Seems bullying causes depression, and depression can lead to suicide. The numbers are surprisingly high.

Good to know - thanks for sharing...

 

[tarheel618]

Not a legal expert by any means, but this sounds like an assault and battery (and could be a police matter). Be sure to take pictures of his face and get a copy of the medical report to document his injuries in case you need to take action to stop this dude from hurting your kid any further.

Agree with above but you need to contact the principal and ask what steps will be taken to ensure that this doesn't happen to your child again or any other child for matter of fact.

 

[jmpurdy]

Really important to get to the doctor and ER to check for concussion. Medical documentation is crucial. May sound like overkill, but trust me it is not. If your son needs medical attention and you will be requesting reimbursement, etc., it's always best to check it out sooner rather than later. Our daughter got rear ended and a concussion did not reveal itself till days later. But she did go to ER by ambulance at the scene as a precaution so it was all documented. Other driver's insurance paid for everything.

 

[sparklynails23]

Poor baby. Give him lots of love and attention. Do something special for him. He's going through a really rough time.

 

[karibritt01]

So at this point i'm not even sure if there will be bus consequences for the other child. DS is not thrilled with the fact he may have to deal with him on the bus tomorrow or Monday.

Your DS should not have to worry about the kid for 10 days. The incident didn't actually occur on the bus, but it was on school property. If the kid is not suspended for 10 days, then you need to go over the principal's head. And should you choose not to press charges, then make darn sure they know that you will be documenting everything, and will not hesitate to press charges for this incident if ANYTHING further occurs. to you and your son... I'm sure this has been a very long day.

 

[manning]

That's not always true. In our district, if you raise your hands even to defend yourself, you are suspended as well. It was that way in WA too. Zero tolerance.

That is redicules. You get suspended for protecting yourself from punches??

The board would be hearing from me, with my attorney, on that one. Now if he was throwing punches I would say throw the book at him.

 

[manning]

Wow, just got the call from the principal...really not what I was expecting.

He explained to me that they take these things very seriously and the consequences would be severe. (Im thinking, great its worse then I thought). He said that he has spoken with my son, the other child, as well as a few witnesses on the bus. He said he felt confident that my son acted in the best manner he could, trying to defuse the situation, get away from the other kid and not instigate it any further.

He did acknowledge that there was some name calling back and forth, and that he was aware that this kid has been giving my son a hard time on the bus prior to this. (I had no idea) He said he didn't have a problem with my DS defending himself verbally without threats.

He went on to say how proud he was of him to do what he has been "told" to do in such a situation versus relying on instict and fighting back. Though he is concerned what the emotional repercussions will be from other students seeing him as trying to "run away" instead of fighting back.

I was also told to be expecting a call from our local police department so that they may speak with my son regarding charges against the other child. I'm told this is mandated by the school because there is a an in-school police officer.

Im sure my DS will be fine. He does sometimes get picked on because he is small but he is well liked and has good friends at school.

Thank you for all your input. I was prepared for the worst.

OH MY GOD, WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO!!! A principal with common sense. You better make sure you never lose him.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Well DS seems to be doing ok. The Dr. wants us to watch him for signs of concussion, and if anything worsens to call. But I think he is just a bit battered and bruised.

He looks ok. May end up with a black eye, nose is slightly swollen but he says it feels ok. His cheek and forehead hurt the worst right now and are already bruising.

I was able to get more details. They were not actually on the bus. It started on the bus, with the "smack" talk and was done. Then as they were getting off the bus at school the other child ran up to him from behind and started punching him in the face a few times then tackled him to the ground and started kneeing his head. He got all the scrapes from the asphalt. DS was a able to push him off and jump away.

So at this point i'm not even sure if there will be bus consequences for the other child. DS is not thrilled with the fact he may have to deal with him on the bus tomorrow or Monday.

I'm sad to hear all of the common stories. Kids can be so mean sometimes.

I wouldn't let that go. I'd take pictures and I'd file a police report. That would send a clear message to the kid to lay off of your son.

The kid doesn't sound right at all.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Not a legal expert by any means, but this sounds like an assault and battery (and could be a police matter). Be sure to take pictures of his face and get a copy of the medical report to document his injuries in case you need to take action to stop this dude from hurting your kid any further.

Agree with above but you need to contact the principal and ask what steps will be taken to ensure that this doesn't happen to your child again or any other child for matter of fact.

I wouldn't let that go. I'd take pictures and I'd file a police report. That would send a clear message to the kid to lay off of your son.

The kid doesn't sound right at all.

I agree with all three of these posts. You can go to the police dept. and file a complaint and if anything else happens add it to your file. There is NO WAY that I would let this go. Your child was hurt pretty bad and that boy needs to be delt with. It makes me so mad to hear things like this. I'm just glad that your son did the right thing and I hope that he is better soon.

 

[creativeamanda]

I'm with everyone else--file a complaint with the police department. Since there is a school resource officer on the school site, he should have an incident report. It needs to be taken to the police department.

In the case of the school district I work in, the kid who did this would have been facing school disruption charges from the school as well.

Also, just because it happened off of the bus does not mean he's not facing bus suspension. In many states, the bus stop area and the trip from the bus to any location is still considered the bus. In our county, I drove through a neighborhood where the kids continually waited for the bus not at the bus stop, but in the middle of the road. I called the bus supervisor. My husband (who works at one of the schools) came home and said, "So-and-so is mad at you. They know you called Mr. _____ and they got kicked off the bus for a week."

 

[Rora]

I agree with all three of these posts. You can go to the police dept. and file a complaint and if anything else happens add it to your file. There is NO WAY that I would let this go. Your child was hurt pretty bad and that boy needs to be delt with. It makes me so mad to hear things like this. I'm just glad that your son did the right thing and I hope that he is better soon.

Agreed!!

Keep us updated, OP!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OH MY GOD, WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO!!! A principal with common sense. You better make sure you never lose him.

Second thread this week, even!

Another thread had a mom with a young daughter having some trouble and the principal figured out what it was.

Glad to hear things are working out okay, OP.

It wouldn't hurt to have your son examined for any additional injuries. The documentation would be important if there is a need for pressing charges.

Any time an injury is caused by another party, it is always good to have it documented at the time.

 

[aprilgail2]

That is redicules. You get suspended for protecting yourself from punches??

The board would be hearing from me, with my attorney, on that one. Now if he was throwing punches I would say throw the book at him.

It may be ridiculous but that is the policy here too- in fact you don't even need to protect yourself to get suspended- a kid can walk up to you, punch you in the face for any or no reason and you just stand there and you are STILL suspended along with the kid who did the hitting.
Kid do things on the school bus that they don't dare do at school-seems like when they get on the bus all bets are off! A friend of mine has actually filed a sexual harassment charge against 3 boys on her daughters bus because of their crude mouths. Once they started talking about their anatomy it because sexual harassment according to policy and these 3 fourth and fifth grade boys are now going to be faced with a sexual harassment charge.

 

[KAMLEM]

I was answering the definition of "talking smack". I don't know why you are quoting me.

Sorry, I meant to put the laughing smiley after the quote. I thought what you said about your family playing cards was funny.

Yes - and I fought back. I lost (badly, on a few occasions ), but the bullying stopped every time after I showed that I wasn't going to just take it. We moved a lot when I was growing up (military family), so I went through this several times...

Well I guess you were lucky enough to be able to fight back. I was a kid with metal leg braces and it was NOT possible for me to fight back.