<p>I just came across this thread … how absolutely disgusting. Wow.</p>
<p>My friend’s son was bullied throughout elementary school. His mom tried talking to the teacher & principal, but nothing ever came of it. Eventually, in fifth grade, her son got tired of being picked on & ended up getting caught with his hands around the neck of a kid who constantly taunted him (the bully was far more savvy about how to get away with things than my friend’s son, obviously). Friend’s son was suspended, which friend considered appropriate, figuring that while she understood his response he did have to be disciplined for his choice. However, the bully wasn’t even reprimanded … according to the school, there was no proof he had done anything. My friend quit her job and never sent her son back to that school. Instead, she home schooled him until he was in high school & then sent him to a small, nurturing parochial school. To this day, my friend feels sorry for the bully, figuring he learned a very twisted lesson that did not serve him well.</p>
<p>I recall a boy in elementary school who was beaten up regularly. The school’s solution was to have him leave 10 or 15 minutes early so that he could get a head start on the bullies. I remember feeling so bad for him, and I often told my kids that story as they were growing up. I am happy to report that my kids were always kind & stood up for others who were being picked on - my son sometimes complained that being nice drew weird kids to him, but he survived. I truly believe that most kids can be taught not to bully & to stand up against bullying, so I am glad to see efforts being made to this end. But schools MUST punish those who bully in order for the efforts to pay off.</p>