To the editor,
I am a parent of a bullied child.
My child, since moving to New Glasgow last fall, has had to endure constant bullying. The actions of other children in this town have seen my child spat at, rocks and sticks thrown at her on the way home from school, and her constantly teased by other children. Because of the actions of other children she has even ended up needing stitches after being pushed down.
The children involved are under the age of 12, so there is little the police can do; the board and school do nothing either, as the most damaging stuff happens on the five-minute walk home from school.
What will it take to get a proper anti-bullying program that starts at the elementary schools in place? Will it take a dead child? I know mine has stated I would rather be dead than go to school, and she is only 11. What will it take before parents here in New Glasgow notice how much bullying goes on on a daily basis in the school yards?
I know my child is not alone. I know that a serious problem exists here, children are told to ignore it, or it is said to be rough-housing, or children will be children. We, the parents, must do better for our children.
We, the parents, need to see the board implements better programming and that a zero-touch policy needs to be in place, and actually followed. More needs to be done to keep all our children safe especially at school, and on the way to and from school. Bullying does not have to be the right of passage for so many of our children. Let us do better for children's sake.
Hollie Pollard
New Glasgow
We need policies to eliminate bullying among children
- Published on May 22nd, 2009
- Published on January 7th, 2010
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Letters to the Editor (The News)
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Comments
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- JW
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:30:43
Lee from NS: again blaming everyone but the parents. I did not say its the parents fault if a child is being bullied, I said its the parents fault if their child is bulling. Straight quote from my first post:
'If a child is being a bully its because they are not getting the attention and guidance from their parents that they need.'
Note 'if a child is being a bully'. -
- Lee
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:25:42
Yep, and the school still plays a part in stopping the bullying.
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- Lee
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:11:50
It's not fair to say the parents aren't giving their children attention if they're being bullied - the bullies are the ones seeking attention. The responsibility to stop bullying lies with EVERYONE! Teachers and school board reps cannot turn a blind eye while children are abused in school.
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- Kristalee
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:02:04
I used to be bullied on a constant basis. Beaten, cursed at, called names, etc. The whole nine yards.
At the time I was constantly suicidal and sad all the time. I didn't know who I could trust, and it got to the point that I was suspicious of students who weren't even partaking in bullying. (Even now, if I hear people whispering, I wonder if they are saying bad things about me).
Either way, bullying is not cool. However, it's hard for parents to notice that it's going on. Especially if it's only going on at school. The bullied child needs to come forward and reveal the names of their attackers. Many a time my mother would charge onto the school bus and ask me to point out whoever was picking on me that particular week, and she'd give them an earfull. I didn't have problems on the bus anymore :)
It's largely up to the parents, because it's hard for children to protect and police themselves. If your child is being bullied, YOU need to stick up for them. If the school isn't doing enough, voice that concern. If still enough isn't being done, switch your child to another school. That's the one thing that I had wish that my mother had done - but she refused.
To Hollie Pollard... if your child is being constantly bullied on the walk from home? .... Pick her up! Walk her home yourself! IF you aren't around, then assign an older child, teenager, sibling, etc, to walk her home. There is no need for this child to be constantly harrassed on her walk. Children are less likely to do something if someone is there to stop it. So do something to stop it! -
- JW
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:03:09
'Bullying does not have to be the right of passage for so many of our children. Let us do better for children's sake.'
I totally agree with this statement. However, the blame and responsibility lays with the parents, and the parents alone. To suggest that the police or the School board should be blamed or held responsible for the lack of respect and discipline in children is completely absurd.
If a child is being a bully its because they are not getting the attention and guidance from their parents that they need. -
- mom
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:37:31
i agree totally, as my 9 year old has had similar experiences. i wonder if its the same school? when my son was held down by one student and beat with a stick by another, i reported it to the school... and MY SON also lost recess because they said he was still involved ... as if he had a choice.
