Per LVB's request: F/U

mwhitson14 · April 2010

I met with the school principal and it was pointless. She basically told me that she wanted to give the teacher the benefit of the doubt, and assume that she is disciplining the students when they return to class. She suggested I go to B and approach her in this manner: B, I've noticed some bullying during the recess about it. What do you do when the kids come up to you and complain? How do you handle it? Basically, make her aware I know there is a problem and kiss her a*ss to get her to not be defensive. Then I'm supposed to report back to the principal with her response. Bleh.

mwhitson14 · April 2010

I have no idea where the about it came from. Sorry about that.

sucrets4 · April 2010

I'm not surprised, whit. There's a reason why it's gone on as long as it has.

I've been on your side and it sucks, but be very careful with how you proceed.

(read my reply in your original thread if you haven't)

Sunshine9463 · April 2010

Oh man, that's bullshit. So, the principal is even intimidated by her? Or, at least, that's what it kinda sounds like.

I think approaching the whole situation as a "mentor opportunity" for you might be the best thing at this point. It will suck, to be sure, but that might be the only way to get the ball rolling. Once she's aware that you're aware and wanting to do something about it, it might light a fire under her asss to step up and actually, ya know, be an adult.

louisvillebride21 · April 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_per-lvbs-request-fu?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:035c4e30-060b-45c4-9018-86601febcf41Post:4555ad6b-cfcc-4498-9abb-aca07c8a9b2b">Per LVB's request: F/U</a>:
[QUOTE]I met with the school principal and it was pointless. She basically told me that she wanted to give the teacher the benefit of the doubt, and assume that she is disciplining the students when they return to class. She suggested I go to B and approach her in this manner: B<strong>, I've noticed some bullying during the recess about it. What do you do when the kids come up to you and complain? How do you handle it? </strong>Basically, make her aware I know there is a problem and kiss her a*ss to get her to not be defensive. Then I'm supposed to report back to the principal with her response. Bleh.
Posted by mwhitson14[/QUOTE]
That's putting you in an awful spot. I could see her coming back, basically telling you that it's none of your business and she's taking care of it. It's not your place to question her (directly) like that.

sucrets4 · April 2010

Honestly, if you're not there for the long term, your best bet is to tell the kids who are being intimidated by those girls to tell their parents and have them complain.

Parents get FAR further with principals than teachers do, sadly.

mwhitson14 · April 2010

Sucrets, thanks for the advice. I definitely will not be bringing up the favoritism. It's annoying and rude to the other students, but it's certainly not against the rules and won't do me any favors.

sunshine, yeah, if I got nothing else out of the meeting, the suggestion was a good one. I'm just frustrated the principal didn't take this more seriously. But like I said earlier, she's a fave.

LVB, that's exactly how I expect it to go, honestly.

and sucrets again, I think you're right. I only have one more week there.

missy68 · April 2010

Whit, as a former teacher, I might also recommend that you go outside with your kids everyday. I know it's a pain in the ass, but it will allow you to document the incidents as well.

mwhitson14 · April 2010

Missy, that's definitely my plan for tomorrow, except Monday starts TCAP, so we won't be getting normal recess time ;( It will be up to us to take the kids out as we can.

barbara1312 · April 2010

Sorry you didn't bet better results. I think I'd document the meeting and results for my own records just in case anything ever did come of it.

sucrets4 · April 2010

grr, tk ate my response since my internet went boom for a sec.

Basically, I've been in your shoes, it sucks, but there's not much you can do.

Nebb · April 2010

What all did you say to the principal?

mwhitson14 · April 2010

Nebb, basically I went in and said,

My students have been complaining about incidents of bullying on the couch, and I've seen several things myself (later she asked me to elaborate). It's getting to where some of them don't even want to go to recess. My students have complained to B before, and I'm not sure what action to take. They say she doesn't do anything when they complain to her, so they come to me and tell me the things they are doing. I'm not really sure what else to do about it.

katiewhompus · April 2010

But at least you covered your butt. Sadly it seems like teachers/subs/admin have to worry about covering their own asses as much as helping the students.

Just tell the students that you have done all you can in your position, and that they need to speak with their parents/principal to get this resolved.

squirrly · April 2010

Yeah. . . if you've just got a week left, I'd recommend to the parents that they complain directly, and just make sure you're with them as much as possible.

Nebb · April 2010

Well I just hope something is done soon, I hate to think of these poor kids being bullied. I was bullied a lot in elementary school and it was awful, I hated it.