I have 8 and 11 yr old sons. My 8 yr old was being bullied the first day of school last year. I mean physically. I enrolled them in a taekwondo class. The instructor talked to my son and taught him the skills needed to defend himself. My son took care of the situation and has no more problems. Bullies will go on to the next "weakling" bullies need to be put into their place. The teacher and Principle did nothing, same with the lunch aides. There is suppose to be a "zero tolerance" policy in our school, yeah right! Your son needs confidence and he needs to know that it's ok to protect himself, but he's going to need to learn the skills to do it. Schools will suspend for a few days and let the bully come back, over and over, because public schools cannot afford to lose kids, that means money!

Well sometimes i have the same issues. No big problem. Yur son is having serious difficullties. Tell him he has two choices, and they are
1: walk away, or dont let peer preasure get to him
2: Change schools

In the better world, the principal should 'on this' and taking care of it but while we still live in the real world, sometimes we have to delve into these problems if we want them solved.
Where is it happening? On the playground? Or in class? Does it happen when the children are being supervised? Or are the children on their own?
If it's in class, that's one thing and there is more than one way to approach that. If it's on the playground with no teachers but part-time 'recess aides', that's another thing. If you'd post back with more specifics, I could offer more specific suggestions as to how to approach the problem and who to approach for help with the problem.

Metdad and MsMomm- you hit the nail on the head. another thing do to is to have a list of suggestions readily available in case your child's principal may be a little thick between the ears. (1) a change of teachers, (2) change of classrooms, (3) different lunch period, (4)suspension/expulsion of the kid doing the bullying, (5) notification of the security staff to be on the alert, (6) a conference with the principal and the parents of the child doing the bullying, (7) a conference with the principal and the teacher, hall monitor, cafeteria aid who has witnessed this occurring (8) suggestion that a negative consequence (reprimand) be issued should a teacher fail to maintain classroom discipline. this should give you a start.... good luck.

You send a letter certified mail. Explain to the principal that by allowing this to happen your son is being denied his right to a free and public education (that always makes me laugh too-free-whose dictionary was used for that?), then you explain by allowing this to continue your child and your family are being denied your civil rights and unless there's an immediate and purposeful responce you will take legal actions. CC to the superintendent and keep a copy for yourself and remember to keep records and mail receipts. Then the next time it happens-file a police report and seek the advice of a civil rights attorney. Good luck.

Welcome jalvarez0602 to greatschools.

You and your son are certainly not alone when it comes to bullies.

I'd also like to invite you to check out the School Bullying Group here at greatschools: community.greatschools.net/groups/11560

How old is your son? How has your son handled the bullies up to this point? What did the principal say the school would do about the bullying? Does your son's school have a "No Tolerance" rule in place?