We are in the same situation. We have had the Sheriff come to our home after we called them when 2 bullies followed our daughter off the bus and made some serious threats.

I feel that children need to learn there place. In school they are taught to respect each others personal space.
Children who act out should be disciplined by what ever means you have. fighting is not an option. I would never allow another child to harm my son. I would make sure the proper people we notified and file charges. Her in Connecticut where I live now. There was a child who kept hitting my son in the head. the school tried to use the proper means it had and it kept on . I filed a police report and the child parents were arrested for allowing the child to act out and not stopping there child for hitting another person. The child was expelled from the school for the rest of the year. no ones child has the right to assault another child. To me it is a reflection of there home life and what is allowed in there home.

I agree. Report the bullying first. There was a neighborhood boy that bullied all the girls and younger boys around here for months. No one did anything about it. Next thing I know, I'm getting a call at work saying a group of kids (including my older daughter) finally got tired of this and jumped him after he tried bullying one of the boys once again. She went to the juvenile center here and the other boy was just let go. If I had pressed charges earlier, maybe none of it would've ever happened. I just look at it as a lesson learned.

I'm new to this site, but I'm assuming that this comment applies to FO school district. I hate to tell you that there are what I consider some serious issues with this school. Last year, on the last day of school, kids had to be escorted to busses to avoid the violence. My son was being harrassed by a high schooler he barely even knew. He was jumped from behind and beat on until a neighbor came out of his house and stopped it. I was prior military for 10 years, last duty was as a recruiter, and if you think that juvenile records are inaccessable, your mistaken, I was able to obtain about anything.
After the last, most serious incident, I made contact with the other boys parents, hoping to work out a solution. His father felt it was justified, and so I let him know that since I didn't consider that any kind of resolution, I would have to take it further and file a police report. I also tryied to explain that his sons behavior can have direct consequences in any future he may wish to persue. Before going to the P.D, I notified the school of my intentions. I waited over 2 hours at the Independence, P.D. before talking to an officer. who told me he handled his childrens disiplinary problems with a good ole' spanking, (including his 13 year old daughter) He did assure me he would be able to resolve the matter without me having to press charges, which I did want to avoid. He said he would talk to the parents as well as the school resource officer.
Less than a week later, the same kid started harrassing my older son, who is in H.S. I told him to go directly to the office or resource officer. They neither one claimed to know a thing about the prior incident involving his brother. Keep in mind, my son is in Middle school, and this kid was a Varsity Soccor Player, hardly a match. Come to find out, the Varsity Soccor team was competing for state at the time, evidently, that trumped my little annoyance.
The Independence Police officer did NOTHING he claimed he was going to do. By the time I relized that, they considered it too late to file charges.
So, what we all learned here was that the kids can do anything they want, and seldom any reprocussions will come of it.
If I was to ever advise anyone, I'd say go straight to the police and demand to file a report. Once these bullies realize that these actions cost money, time, bad reputations, and possibly exclusion into the armed forces and other jobs. Competition is bad enough. Maybe if a few parents of these kids have to dole out money in attorney fees, they will look at things differently. But if they aren't paying attentionto there childs behavior, then the law should step up and do there duty and arrest them. An assault is an assault is an assault no matter how you look at it, and for a child growing up, as difficult as it is, bullying can have devastating effects. If parents don't stand up for their childs right to be free from harm, who will?

no your not over reacting. Please stay on top of matters concerning your daughters safety while getting her education. i'm in a stiuation now with my sons middle school he's been assualted twice in the past two weeks. I have police reports and have spoken to the district superintendent concerning this matter. Mind you this bullying started in 6th grade and went from threats to assaults. I'm presently in the process of trying to rezone him in a learning enviorment and safe school district, this is a emergency situation.

I am so sorry. But middle school is a total different animal. My daughter's middle school has metal detectors and cameras. Tell your daughter to embrace middle school and let her now we are not allowed to lock our lockers either. Be glad your school is doing everything they can to stay safe because there are creeps everywhere. I wish you and your daughter a successful middle school year and thank you for your service!!!!

honestly middle school isnt that bad. everywhere you go its going to be like that. My middle school is bad but we get by. Fights happen everywhere. The best thing you can do is prepare her. And negativily talking about it will get her more worried. As a middle schooler myself the "fights" are merely verbal and between the "bad" kids. Every once in a while do we get a real fight.

My daughter was afraid last year to start Middle School. No matter where you live, down south or up north (we live up north) you have fears when your child starts a new school. My daughter went from a grammar school with 160 kids to a middle school with over 600 kids. She did fine. They actually had a project last year in Language Arts - what would you do to make your school safer. One of the things my daughter listed was "cameras in the halls." There are fights in every school so don't worry about that. She will find her "niche" like my daughter did and she will do fine. Suggest she join a club. My daughter joined "Stompers" and "Compass Learning" which she attended after school. She made new friends. She still talks to her friends from her "old" school but she had "broadened her horizon." She was very happy this year and she did WONDERFULLY on her report cards. If you have raised your child to be "well rounded" that's the best you can do. Just let her know she can ALWAYS come to you with ANYTHING and you can work it out. That's how I have raised my daughter. I was military born and it was tough growing up. I am raising my daughter a little different showing her more respect than I was shown - I'm not a drill sergeant like my father was. It is very hard on a child changing schools and friends year after year. You just have to do the best you can and give her as much support as you can. Again, suggest her joining a club and if she sees a fight - walk the other way. There have been fights in my daughter's school also. She walks away and then gets the gossip from the kids who stuck around to watch! Good luck to her and you both.

I definately understand your situation. Our daughters are stuck at the same type of school. Or at least the older one still is. We have the same problems with bullying and violence. This school doesn't even have lockers anymore because of the theft and drugs. My best advice is to make sure you are very involved and stay in touch with her teachers and the pricipal. Also make sure that your daugher knows that whatever happens you are there for her and that this is only for a year. Best of luck and God Bless.

I have a 12 year daughter in middle school. Last year was unbelievable. Not so much the school and more the things she was exposed to. She also started her period. So between what the kids know and say and her hormones it was crazy.
I'm a firm believer of KEEP IT REAL. So I'll do that now. You should be scared. But that's normal. What I try to do is talk to her about all the girl stuff like PMS, mood changes and all that goes with that. Also kids are mean as hell. With words and attitude. Over everything from clothes to boys & grades. Not personaly but I've heard many storys about how far more advanced our kids are then when I was 12-13 years old. Periods start alot earlier as well as sexual things these kids are doing now days. (I WILL BE SCARED UNTIL SHE GRADUATES) My husband and I decided that my daughter can talk to boys on the phone when shes 13 then (MAYBE) a group date at 15 and no single dates until 16. My daughter and all her friends are beginning to be boy crazy. SO i feel your fear. It doesn't get easier.

I look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Thanks everyone. Some developments have taken place. My daughter was accepted into the academic honors program. She will only take classes with other students like herself who are serious about their studies. She will also be in beginning band for the clarinet. I think this will help with any stress since they meet every day. Also I am a hairstylist and it just so happens one of her teacher came in to my work to get her hair done. So I had the opportunity to chat with her about my concerns on a personal level. I am a lot more at ease at this point. Alexis is now excited and said she wants to give it a chance there. My husband and I agree. But, if at any time we feel her safety is at jeapordy we will pull her out faster than they can blink. Everyone has been so supportive. Thank you so much.

I know it is scary for you. I just read some of the reviews of the schools in ms. I would suggest homeschooling and if you cannot do that, maybe get together with other military parents and switch off on subjects to help homeschool each others kids. Another alternative would be to volunteer at the school. With you being there, maybe things could be changed. If the staff knows you, they may look out for your daughter more.

I went to a scary high school and the other kids did not bother me as much, but there were some rough kids there. I think it mostly depends on who your child hangs out with. I don't know if your child is planning to ride the bus- I would probably pick my kids up in the afternoon because kids seem to act their worst on the busses- unless you have an older child that lives near you that can ride with your child.

I know it is rough, but you can get through it. It is probably worse for the boys because they have to show how tough they are and fight. Hopefully, if you address your concerns to the staff, attend those pta meeting, and volunteer you can make a difference for your daughter. I know it is easier said than done. Good luck... :)

Private schools are nice but not everyone can afford private school. It's only for one year. It makes more since to go ahead and move to the location where you and your family will be living once he leaves. The military life can be stressful at time as a wife of a active duty military husband. Trust me... I've been there.

If you think that your child is not safe, I would consider private school, because then you'll probably breathe easier .

I agree with you completely. I was going to say that but you beat me to it!

Both my kids are starting middle school. I'm not scared but I want them to be able to enjoy the experience of getting older and learning responsibility. I'm also now a single parent so this year will be a trying year for all of us. I have changed my work schedule to be able to be home earlier with them. This way I can help with homework, attend school activities etc. I'm kinda looking forward to it and trying to think positive. I'm hoping if I think positive and get them excited about it then they will do the same. I went to register them for school next year and they were both pretty excited when visited the school. Grinning from ear to ear. I told them they must stay focused and keep up the A's and B's in order to get invovled in the activities at school. I would still consider moving for that year that your husband is stationed there. A year will past before you know it.

All my middle school fears were founded, and after my son asked to be moved to a different school in 7th grade, I have never sent my other children to that middle school.

The year he transferred, the county assigned a police officer to the school, and large groups of students from other districts were bused which made things even worse.

Home school if you have to, but my experience says that the emotional damage from fear is long standing. I agree. If you can move now, work it. Your husband and you are adults and can live with the separation for your daughter's sake. My husband went on an alternate shift for 15 years to accommodate our children's needs--something we don't regret.

I found that things our parents worried about in High School have moved into middle school and in some cases elementary school. That is disheartening.

RUNNNNNN!!!! I am a prior military wife. I know exactly how you feel. If its only for a year, I would let my husband finish his 1 year tour and would take my daughter and move up North and he can join you and your daughter in a year. In the meantime, you guys could take turns visiting. It will be fine.

You can home school your daughter until you have to move! That would be much better for you and your husband!

Do they have school personnel monitoring activity by video? Is there a delay in recording time to viewing time?

It may be that the school had problems that resulted in legal sanctions requiring safety measures be taken. I googled my school district's name along with the word "sued" and found they had lawsuits for the same issues.

Hey Socal...u r right...don't have that option. Also for some reason rolling backpacks have been banned from the school system here. They go back and forth. One year you could only have see through plastic book bags. Which was really ironic when one student went through the whole day with a knife then played show and tell with it on the bus. Tomorrow I am going to the district office to try to get her changed to another school (which is wonderful). She has to be accepted, which shoudn't be a problem, with her stomach problems stress induces her ulcers. If that is the route I have to take the doctor will be more than willing to write a note on her behalf. Transitioning into middle school is hard enough. You shouldn't have the added stress of whether they will get a quality education and are safe.

I hear your fears!!! I was worried about some of the middle school choices that I faced as well but I was able to create other options within the public school district.

None of the middle schools or high schools in our area provide lockers -- instead the kids have a full set of books for home use, as well as access to classroom and library copies. It doesn't sound as if this is an option.

May I suggest the following rolling back pack: a Zuca bag. They aren't cheap but my daughter's teachers describe her's as a rolling locker.

The website is: www.zuca.com

You might think about finding a charter school or alternative school that can guarantee a safer environment. I was faced with this and decided to home school until I found a better placement. It really helped our son to to go to the rough school.

Welcome Melissa. I wouldn't fear him not knowing anyone. It's that way in middle school. The children come from broader zip codes so many children(even locals) will be in the same situation. It might even be a good conversation starter when others know he lived in another place before. Are you military? I just found out I am able to do an interdistrict transfer and send her to another school which is 3rd in the state. The principal is her old principal(when her elementary school was decent). So, this should put her at ease. We have to apply though. If I have to I will have her doctor write a letter(stress induces her ulcers....born with hiatal hernia). My friend and I are switching driving duties to get them there. I will have morning shift and she will have afternoon since I work. I am sure it will work out for both of us and 6 months from now forget we even worried...LOL

Hi! I'm new here but I just wanted to reply to this!! My son is starting middle school in the fall too. Only thing is he will not know anyone! We're moving in July to N.C. and school will start right after we move. I'm scared to death!!! Everytime I think about it I cry!! :( As far as Gulfport goes....is there a private school you can send her too?? My sister used to live there and her daughter went o the schools there. She hated them. Let me know what happens! Maybe we can help calm each other!!! I'm in tears right now!!! lol! :) Hope I helped some! Melissa