Maybe the admins can pin this to the top of this forum for future reference.

I thought it might be helpful if we started a thread on how you, as a parent, can get help for your child who is being bullied & we can all add in some emails (redact the personal info, please) that we've sent, etc.

It's been mentioned in previous threads but it is extremely important to know your rights & the school's responsibility in a situation where bullying is taking place.

My kids' school has been proactive since kindergarten about dealing with bullies but for those who may not have that luxury, here is additional information.

Rather than post the link & risk that the site changes the file location, I'm posting some text from the NYCLU website:
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WHAT IS THE DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT (THE DIGNITY ACT)?

The Dignity Act is intended to give students in public schools an educational environment free from discrimination and harassment. It protects against all forms of harassment, particularly those based on a student’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.

The Dignity Act will prohibit activities that create a hostile environment at school and school sponsored events. These activities can include aggressive conduct, threats, intimidation or abuse that unreasonably and substantially interferes with another student’s
educational performance. The Dignity Act also creates a framework for promoting a more positive school culture through sensitivity training and classroom curricula on diversity.

HOW WILL THE DIGNITY ACT WORK?
The Dignity Act amends state education law to require that schools incorporate curricula on diversity and sensitivity into lessons on civility and citizenship.

One employee from each school will need to attend an intensive training program. This person will become the school’s designated contact for handling bullying. They will be trained to recognize and respond effectively to harassment and bullying, and implement strategies to prevent it.

Incidents of bullying will be reported to the New York State Education Department on at least an annual basis so the state can evaluate schools’ performance. Your local school district will probably manage reporting.

Schools and districts will need to draft age-appropriate, plain language versions of the statute to appear in student codes of conduct.

The New York State education commissioner will assist school districts in establishing sensitivity and tolerance trainings open to all staff.

The commissioner will also provide direction to school districts on developing effective responses to bullying, including intervention and education. However, individual school districts will create their own guidelines for training and prevention as well as policies for responding to harassment and discrimination.

WHEN WILL THE DIGNITY ACT BE IMPLEMENTED?
The Dignity Act takes effect on July 1, 2012. Until then, a statewide task force will be developing guidelines and model programs for schools to adapt for their students and staff. As a member of the task force, the NYCLU is working closely with the governor’s office to ensure that the Dignity Act will promote safe, nurturing classrooms across New York.
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Additional information
http://www.nyclu.org/issues/youth-and-student-rights/bullying-and-harassment-school
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Read up on signs of bullying:
[L=http://www.empoweringparents.com/category-Bullying.php[/L] Stop Bullying


I know many parents will say that to let the kids handle it. As one principal said to my friend "Kids will be kids." And I agree with that. But while there will always be a kid bullying another kid, we are adults who know the damage that bullies can inflict. Our kids' psyche is one of the most important things we can try to safeguard. Kids are killing themselves & each other over bullying. We have to act on it.

The first thing to do is to contact the teacher & the principal. I suggest doing this via email so there is documentation from the beginning that there is an issue.

Be prepared that you will likely be called into a meeting on this or your child will be questioned about it.

You want them to give you a plan on what they will do to prevent this from happening. After the meeting, send them an email confirming your conversation with them.

Ask for dates to follow up with them to make sure it was done. Follow up with an email on that date.