Hey guys,

I'm starting an organization called Parents Against Bullies.
http://pab.deoxdesigns.com/


It started out from this thread here:
http://forums.deoxdesigns.com/index.php?showtopic=198

That should explain most of it. Tell me what you think of the organization. A good idea?
I'm installing the message board now.

Its mainly for my school district, but anyone concerned with education is free to voice their opinion.

Hopefully, my school district will wise up.

[EDIT]
Woo! Discussion board is up. Record time for me.
Please note, I know they are IPB 2.0. It was before it went paid. Fear not, I am switching soon, but the forum software I am getting is not released yet. Will be sometime soon. Sorry.

Chad

I personally think it's pointless since if they parents could do anything to stop bullying, then the would've done it already. I mainly think comittees are for the sole purpose of looking like you're doing something when there is nothing you can do so at least you look good.

Interesting idea, not sure what it will really accomplish. When I was in high school, they tried some "zero tolerance" policy which basically meant if 4 guys jump one guy, all five are equally punished for "participating in a fight", even if one participant only defends themself. Kind of a pain in the arse for someone who goes there to learn.

My little contribution (in general) will be teaching my future children not to give a f**k what people think about them, how they dress, whatever. You know, that people are more than just what you see. (It's a point message boards prove every day.)

These "zero tolerance" policies are somewhat counter-productive. You're not allowed to defend yourself anymore, but let yourself be beaten to a pulp, and on top of it, probably be punished anyway.

In theory it is a good idea but........

The school, along with parents, should be the 'authority' that does something about bullying but in many cases they do nothing but pay lip service to the problem/issue. In many cases even the parents of the 'bully' are unwilling to accept that there is actually a problem - "Little Willy would never do anything like that...."

Many schools here in the UK will tell you that there is NO bullying in their school but that is simply rubbish. Through experience, four years ago now, I discovered that the headmaster of my son's school was full of hot air when it came to bullying, even when my son ended up in hospital due to an attack. Worse still, the headmaster even tried to make my son out to be the problem, even when there were other children being bullied. We even discovered, quite late, that the headmaster had told the parents of other victims not to speak of the issue to anyone else until he had dealt with it. He should have been a politician - the threat of having the police involved finally got him moving!

Having said that, my son's issue was relatively minor compared to another 'bully' in the school........ the pupil in question, an 11 year old girl, had even pushed a teacher down a flight of stairs, hit another teacher across the head with a school bag plus many other 'problems'. There was not a day went by for nearly a year when there was not a problem with this particular pupil attacking other pupils and members of staff.

What actually happened - NOTHING! The problem was only 'resolved' when she moved to a new school! Guess what? The problem continued, at least for a while, in the new school as well.

Anyway, I understand from parents with children still at the school that bullying still continues and the headmaster is still 'sweeping the issue under the carpet' and advising parents not to talk about the problem!

Just remember that the 'authorities' have ways of dealing with (and not dealing with?!) issues like these.

I wish you luck with your 'project' and I would advise you to take great care when it comes to children, their parents and schools etc. If you start naming childrens names and the names of schools etc you could open yourself up to potentially serious legal issues, both from the schools and the parents of 'bullies'!

TTFN

Like the idea Chad, When I was younger I was bullied alot but from what I expernced there are some that dont give a care what happens happend to them they will still do it

I think it's a good idea. If nothing else, it could turn into a nice support group. Together you all can explore why some kids turn into bullies, some into victims, while others into neither then explore what can be done to help the situation.

In the US, we've effectively neutered our school officials over the years. Whether or not they take action, the school opens itself to lawsuits. Where I live though, my county does not tolerate misbehavior in its schools. If a kid acts up to where an administrator cannot handle it, the cops are called. The cops take the kid, regardless of age, away in handcuffs. If his misbehavior continues, he's placed into a special school with other kids with similar problems. They don't punish victims. The schools don't have any bully problems.

Wish you luck in helping those who have to deal with this issue.