Bus Troubles
Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Archive July-December 2004:
Bus Troubles
By the way our schools become intermediate school from 4th to 6th, also.
My 6th grade ds has been telling me about these kids on the bus causing trouble. They are twin boys in the 4th grade. They get on the bus and immediately start using the "f" word. They sharpen their pencils and throw them at the other kids. They throw rocks when they get off the bus and they go in the bus windows and hit the kids in the head, etc...... it never ends.
I had hoped that the bus driver would gain control over the kids on the bus. He is new to our route this year. He is an older man, and I just figured that since he was taking over the route, that he would establish his authority and things would get better.
Well they haven't. My son got punched in the face by one of those kids and it ended up that the twins, my ds, and his friend got into a fight. I do not condone fighting, however, I feel that my son should not just let someone beat up on him and just take it.
They all got written up, and the principal stated on the discipline form that my son was fighting with younger kids and wrote in exclamation that "this is unacceptable!" He told him that he should not be fighting even if the other kid hit him first.
I don't think that is good advice. Would you advise your kids to let someone beat on them and not defend themselves?
I told Scotty that he should ignore those kids, do not even acknowledge them even if they are trying to provoke him. I did tell him that he has the right to defend himself if they put their hands on him.
I am going to go to the school and talk to the principal on Monday.
I am so frustrated! The kids have to ride the bus at least in the afternoon because they get out of school 2 hours before I get off work. But by the time the bus ride is over, it is almost time for me to be home.
Our neighbor watches them for 30 minutes until my dh or I get home.
What would you do?
I would DEFFINATELY talk to the principal, and if you can get him to call the parents of the twins in for a meeting with you and the other parents who's kids are having a problem with them, so that they know it's not just your son that would be a good idea too. Stay on it, report it to the principal if your son sees them picking on other kids, maybe they'll eventually ban the two boys from the bus. There is no reason for bullying like this on the school bus.
I really HTH.
OH MAN! OH MAN! OH MAN!
I respect your restraint and self-control, if someone hit my dds on the school bus (especially known bullies who should have been banned long ago) I don't know what I would do....I just don't know....it would probably take me an entire afternoon just to calm down enough to speak to anyone civilly.
Good for you, meeting with the principal. Be persistent. Keep us updated. Seriously, I would really like to know what happens......AJ
Oh yah! I would be at the school...PRONTO. I hate bullies.
If my son came into similar circumstances by all means I would want him to protect himself. If he shows that the bullies have power over him they will keep it up.
However, as you know, fighting won't solve this problem. These bullies need to be held accountable. Be the squeeky wheel that gets these mean kids away from your son and the other kids on the bus that want to go to school to learn.
I'm sure that if they act this way in one situation ie: the bus; they aren't being angels in the classroom, lunchroom, playground, etc.
Maybe contact other parents and demand something be done as a group. There is power in numbers!
Be your son's advocate. No one else will. Okay, I'm done. 
Thanks! I will keep you posted!
Good luck to you today and for me older or not if someone hits my kids I would expect them to protect themselves and if hitting back is the only way they can sdo it then go for it.
And make sure you tell the principal that you have told your son if they hit him he is to defend himself whatever way he needs to.
The other thing is talk to the bus driver about where your son sits. Just explain that your child is having lots of issues with a couple of the kids and can he sit right up front so that you can help him feel safe. This should help some too!
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