Information For Concerned Parents

   A Ten Point Guide In Working With The School About Your Bullied Child

1.) Do not be intimidated by "the system."
2.) Do something right now - do not wait.  Your child has shown signs of distress.
3.) Read the school handbook.
4.) Keep a written record of who you spoke with and who they are going to talk to and when.
5.) Show your child what steps are being taken to solve the problem. They need to know this is a problem that is being taken seriously. 
6.) Start the follow-up. Do not allow much time to pass. It should not take over 24-48 hours to start the follow-up.
7.) Have the person at the school you talked with sign an agreement to the time schedule the quoted. 
8.) Drop off a copy of the agreement with the proper authorities. (Sheriff, local police, school resource officer)
9.) Talk, talk...and talk some more!  Call your kids throughout the day (when possible) to see how things are going for them. Talk to them when they get home.
10.) Do not be intimated by "the system."  Did we mention that already?  

                                                  More Helpful Information

Violence Is NEVER the answer.
There is no action against or to an individual school or school district, that will ever bring Hunter Layland or any of our other children who took their lives because of bullying, back.  But to honor their memory we can learn from these tragic situations and help others who do not know how to find support when they are being bullied.

As a parent it is sometimes easy to say or teach that "if someone does something to you, just let them have it back!"  Those days are long gone.  Things are different today.  Schools now have a zero tolerance for fighting.  This means that if your child is in a fight - whether he/she starts it or not - there will be no tolerance for fighting and he/she will be suspended from school.  No questions asked.

Schools are a teaching and learning institution. 
As hard as they may try, it is not just about soccer or T-ball.  Not every child will recieve a blue ribbon.
Some kids are going to be mean and disrespectful.  That is just the reality.  Help your child learn this and know they are valued and valuable, no matter what other students may say or do.

Even your precious child (we have 4) will not always tell you the truth.  You may hear that everything is o.k.,  I can handle "it", no it does not bother me and many other excuses.  Be the parent, check and double check to see that your child really is okay - both physically and emotionally. 
Note to self: has my child's attitude changed? Are they spending too much time alone?  Are they
cross or on edge?  Have they changed their circle of friends? Have I checked their emails or Facebook accounts lately? (Yes, you have a right to check on them.  You are the parent, they are the child, act accordingly.) Talk, talk and talk some more to your children when they come home from school.

What to ask of your school personnel:
1.) Does your school have an anti-bullying policy?
2.) Does each classroom have anti-bullying posters?
3.) Ask a school official to explain the "zero tolerance" policy to you and your child.
4.) Make it a point to introduce yourself to the school staff.

Every child deserves an emotionally and physically safe place to learn.
Does your child truly know who their support people are and when they can go to them
for support with a bullying problem?

Encourage your schools to develop a mentoring system and ask your school to allow a few minutes
per day for positive anti-bullying messages.

And remember - Violence Is Never The Way To Deal With A Bullying Problem.
Be pro-active in your child's life!  Bullying is going to happen but you can help your child through it.
Did I mention...talk, talk and talk some more to your child?