Bullying Part 2
Update:
Get this. GET THIS. Unbeknownst (I had to look up the spelling on that one) to me, the “special seat” I had asked the driver to put Mason in was RIGHT NEXT TO THE BULLY. SAME SEAT. I didn’t know this at the time, because I didn’t know what bully looked like. But Mason got off the bus in the afternoon and I asked him about his day and the bus rides. And he confirmed that it was the bully he sat next to in the morning. Can you believe it?
Here’s how it went down. Mason was going to get on the school bus, and was totally fine. On his way up the stairs, he started freaking out and started running back home. I ran after him, talked to him and he was nervous about the bully. Apparently the bully was right there, peeping over the seat and gave Mason quite a look. I talked to him and told him nothing would happen to him. I walked with him to the bus, and I got halfway on (as not to embarrass Mason) and asked the bus driver if there was a “special seat” just for Mason. And that’s when he put Mason RIGHT NEXT to the bully.
I’m sorry. Where is this lack of communication coming from? Apparently we’re not all on the same page. And apparently some of us are not the sharpest tools in the shed. Who does that?
That afternoon, right after we got home, I called the principal. We chatted and she said that was completely unacceptable and that she would be calling the trans. director immediately. I assured her that if I needed to contact someone on my end, I was perfectly happy to do so. And I told her that Mason wouldn’t be bullied off of the school bus. That this kid needed to be kicked off before Mason would stop riding it. She assured me she’d take care of it.
So now I wait and see what happens. Do I say something to the bus driver this morning? I don’t want to cause more anxiety or embarrassment for Mason, but I gotta stick up for my kid when <obviously> the bus driver won’t. Do I spell it out for him? I’m at a loss for what to do this morning. And unfortunately Brett is out of town, otherwise he’d be dealing with it for me. I’m not a good confrontational person. That’s why I hire advocates and attorneys. Just kidding. <kind of>
Well, the day has past…but I would generally suggest deferring to the principal who indicated she would handle it…HOWEVER, I would have no problem escorting Mason onto the bus to make sure “All is Well.” I think the bus driver and the bully need to see the presence of a parent who is willing to intervene and hold parties accountable when it comes to bullying!