Category Archives: bullying

have i failed as a father?

I feel like a failure.

My youngest son has hacked into his brother’s facebook account and threatened to kill someone.

And then he lied about doing it, even when confronted by the evidence.

How do I learn about this? The victim’s parents called the Sherrif.

I don’t blame them. I blame myself. I blame my son.

So tonight I am admitting my son to the mental health unit at the hospital. I don’t know what else to do.

How do I protect him while protecting the rest of the family? Or protecting others in our community?

I posted a note to the account, letting people know that it had been hacked.

Mental illness is not an excuse for this kind of behavior.

Tonight I had the opportunity to participate in a committee for our school district’s anti-bullying policy. And we talked about cyberbullying.
I would be a hipocrite to not do something about my son’s behavior.

More later.

Assault at the high school update

the deputy sheriff stopped by yesterday and told us he had completed his investigation. Seems a couple of boys were roughhousing in the hall way, and one pushed his buddy, his buddy hit our daughter and then she hit the locker. The deputy says he believes that the boys are sincere in their admission that it was an accident. So as long as they apologise, we will let the matter go. We are asking the school to cover all of her medical expenses.

Today, I am taking her in to get a shot for the pain.  Taradol, which is an intra-muscular injection in the gluteus maximus.  Wish her luck!

they requested what?

So today, in the midst of the chaos of trying to figure out what the best path is for my family, I got a call from our state Department of Public Instruction.  (DPI)

A couple of days ago, I mentioned on my blog that I was submitting a request for a facilitated IEP to the Department.  Today I got a call from the Department telling me that the school requested a facilitated IEP.  A move that the Department admits is highly unusual.  It is very rare for a school to think that a facilitated IEP is beneficial to them.

So why are they doing this?  Is it in response to the attack on my daughter yesterday?  Are they hoping that if they give with one child, we won’t push them on the assault issue?

I have been in contact with the investigative department of DPI as well.  I asked them if I needed to file a report of the assault with their agency.  I was informed that I should notify the sheriff.  And that I should — well here is a quote.

“You have taken the correct steps in notifying law enforcement authorities when serious injury occurs.  We recommend that any incidents of bullying be reported to the building teacher, counselor and principal for further investigation and follow up.  You should feel comfortable working with your school to ensure the bullying behavior ends and follow up with your daughter regarding her perceptions about this as well; if the behavior continues, the school should continue to be informed.  For the confidentiality of all students, understand you may not learn what consequences have been given to the bully, but trust and work with administration and your daughter.  If you believe the building principal is not adequately addressing the behavior, you can reach out to the district superintendent for assistance.  If you need to go on further, the school board can be contacted; most school boards meet monthly, their agenda is public and generally includes a public input session where parents and/or community can address them regarding concerns, issues, etc.  By working collaboratively with the school staff and your daughter, you should be kept inform of how she is coping, responding and what supports are offered to her.”

Given the events of the last year and a half, none of this seems like it is likely to happen.  But we will try.  I have to try. To not try means that I am failing to protect my kids to the full extent of my ability.