WWYD? School related

[Mermaid02]

I was just at school picking up my 13 year old- he stayed after to do some catch up work. There were other kids waiting for their rides who were already outside. I watched one kid pick up a chunk of ice, probably the size of an apple and throw it at a girl. Then I watched him pick up more and throw it at some other kids- they were hit but nobody was crying or obviously hurt, but I can't imagine it felt good. He kept doing this as other kids would come outside. I called into the school and told the secretary. The vice principal came out and watched quietly and approached the boy when he did it again. I felt kind of bad but throwing ice isn't like throwing a snowball. Would you have said something yourself (I didn't because I was afraid of what effect that would have on my son) called or just ignored it?

I'm really second guessing myself on this one. These aren't little kids, but at the same time the bully factor in middle school is SO HUGE I'm not sure the kids would stand up for themselves.

 

[TheZue]

Even if the other kids didn't feel bullied he was being really dangerous. If that hit somebody on the head he could do real damage. Kid's don't percieve risk well so I think you did the right thing.

 

[krcit]

I would have done exactly what you did

 

[MushyMushy]

I absolutely would have called. In our area, that's a pretty serious offense and could cause the kid to get kicked out for at least 10 days.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

I think you handled it just right. I also think the vice principal was wise to come right out and have a look see for himself.

 

[Talking Hands]

You did the right thing.

 

[mistyt]

I think you did the right thing by involving the school without directly involving yourself. Ice can be very dangerous. Thank goodness no one was hurt by jagged edges or such. If this child believes that throwing ice at a person is okay to do, who knows what other types of bullying the child feels is also okay to do.

A few years ago in my home town a bunch of teenagers though it was a good idea to through chunks of ice off a bridge onto cars on the highway before. They hit a car, broke the windshield and the lady inside passed away. I would hate to see this kid do something similar.

 

[scrapquitler]

I called into the school and told the secretary. The vice principal came out and watched quietly and approached the boy when he did it again. I felt kind of bad but throwing ice isn't like throwing a snowball. Would you have said something yourself (I didn't because I was afraid of what effect that would have on my son) called or just ignored it?

I think you handled it in a very smart way. You let the school authorities handle it, so that you (and your son) can't be a target of the child throwing the ice somehow.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

You picked the perfect way to handle it. I thought you were going to say you go out of the car etc (most likely would have been my first thought) but boy, great job. You don't have to even tell your child if you don't want to. Great way to handle the situation, more parents could learn from this.

 

[mickeyboat]

I would definitely have done something, and might have said something myself if I had known the kid.

Last weekend after ski lessons we were in the lodge getting a snack. There was a girl - about 8 or so, who was picking up all the self serve chicken boxes, and picking up each piece of chicken then putting them back. I guess she was looking for just the right box. I didn't have any problem telling her to stop touching everyone else's food.

If my child was acting throwing ice, I would not have any problem with someone else telling her to stop.

It takes a village, you know.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think you did the right thing. I'm glad he was caught. Kids at school are subjected to these types of things every day, but usually the offenders get away with it. (From what I hear from my own kids.)

 

[LuvOrlando]

I despise bullies so I would have done the same thing. I did call once about kids at a local bus stop. All I knew was the stop and the time but the guidance counselor knew EXACTLY who i was talking about when I described the situation.

I really dislike bullies and they deserve whatever they get, if they are just messing around with friends that should be easy enough to prove. Either way throwing ice (or rocks in my case) is dangerous and shouldn't go on.

 

[agnes!]

I was just at school picking up my 13 year old- he stayed after to do some catch up work. There were other kids waiting for their rides who were already outside. I watched one kid pick up a chunk of ice, probably the size of an apple and throw it at a girl. Then I watched him pick up more and throw it at some other kids- they were hit but nobody was crying or obviously hurt, but I can't imagine it felt good. He kept doing this as other kids would come outside. I called into the school and told the secretary. The vice principal came out and watched quietly and approached the boy when he did it again. I felt kind of bad but throwing ice isn't like throwing a snowball. Would you have said something yourself (I didn't because I was afraid of what effect that would have on my son) called or just ignored it?

I'm really second guessing myself on this one. These aren't little kids, but at the same time the bully factor in middle school is SO HUGE I'm not sure the kids would stand up for themselves.

Good thing his aim wasn't very good.

And I think you handled it perfectly.
agnes!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

 

[N&B'smom]

You handled it perfectly!

I remember several years back when my DS11 was little, like 1st or 2nd grade I believe, I dealt with something similar. We got to school in the morning and the kids always run around and play before it's time to line up to go inside. There weren't all that many people around but I witnessed a 4th grade boy purposely stick his foot out to trip a little kindergarten child. He was running to drop off his backpack so he could go play, boy did he take a header. Right after he tripped him I heard him turn to his friend and say 'I love it when they fall'.

This kid had no idea that I saw what he did. I approached one of the staff when she came out, I knew her quite well. I explained what happened....needless to say he got into some serious trouble. Although he DENIED it, knowing full well that an adult said they saw him do it. That's nerve!

 

[TaraPA]

I think you did the right thing by involving the school without directly involving yourself. Ice can be very dangerous. Thank goodness no one was hurt by jagged edges or such. If this child believes that throwing ice at a person is okay to do, who knows what other types of bullying the child feels is also okay to do.

A few years ago in my home town a bunch of teenagers though it was a good idea to through chunks of ice off a bridge onto cars on the highway before. They hit a car, broke the windshield and the lady inside passed away. I would hate to see this kid do something similar.

Were you from PA becuse that exact scenario happened near here a few years back on Rt 22? Very tragic prank gone wrong.


OP I would have done the same thing - but I probably wouldn't have had the school office's number with me! I really need to memorize that number or put in in my phone or vehicle. I wonder if I would have had the guts to go outside of my vehicle to wait for my son - waiting right beside the kid throwing ice...

 

[Mermaid02]

Were you from PA becuse that exact scenario happened near here a few years back on Rt 22? Very tragic prank gone wrong.


OP I would have done the same thing - but I probably wouldn't have had the school office's number with me! I really need to memorize that number or put in in my phone or vehicle. I wonder if I would have had the guts to go outside of my vehicle to wait for my son - waiting right beside the kid throwing ice...

This is the second child I have had go through the school- And my son has some issues so believe me, I have it memorized!

Thanks everyone. I was really thinking I was being "that parent" and interfering when I shouldn't be. It's nice to get positive feedback.

 

[shortbun]

OP-you did the right thing. I used to be a bus driver. I had the school's number on speeddial because of all the dangerous things I'd see students do either before or after a teacher was on site. They are children and they need help staying safe.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Were you from PA becuse that exact scenario happened near here a few years back on Rt 22? Very tragic prank gone wrong.

That was the first thing I thought of when I read what the PP said. That was such a sad story - one that didn't have to end the way it did. If that kid just wouldn't have thrown that piece of ice, that family would not have been destroyed. If I'm not mistaken, her kids were in the car with her when it happened.

OP, you did the right thing. That was bullying and if it would have been happening to me, I would have been so glad that somebody notified the school. Don't second guess yourself - you did what was right.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I probably would have said something to him myself, but if my son was already with me, he'd have been angry with me for saying something. I'm a para, so I'm used to dealing with kids at school, though.

I think what you did was fine.