Bullying a problem at school

My son was bullied (intimidated, cursed at, called derogatory names, belittled, etc.) the majority of last year, 2010-11 at the Grand Coulee Dam Middle School, this IS a fact. When I learned of this, I immediately brought this important issue to the attention of the school’s administration in December.

Lisa Lakin, principal, told me that she was not aware this was going on in her school, that if she does not know about it, she cannot do anything about it. Lisa met with me and my son and that was about it. My son was and is still feeling low self esteem about being bullied, which is unacceptable.

Here it is, nine weeks later and I am trying to get answers and commitment from Ms. Lakin to address the issue, and I cannot get responses from anyone at the GCDMS. I am not impressed by Ms. Lakin’s lack of attention to this very dangerous subject.

I have talked to multiple past and present parents to children that have attended GCDMS, and they stated they had met with the principal about their children being bullied at GCDMS and nothing was ever done.

I would like to initiate change at the school and suggest an anonymous survey be conducted to each student with results published and provided to parents on the pervasiveness of bullying in our schools, instances, reporting, examples, etc. The schools can use the results as a gauging tool for improvement and funding as needed for our school’s benefit.

Dennis Carlson, superintendent, has been copied on all my correspondence with Lisa Lakin so is aware of my concerns. Bullying in our community is a huge liability for the schools. I would like to see remedies offered before potential tragedies happen and Grand Coulee Dam School District plays a victim.

If your child experienced bullying at any of the local schools in recent years, I ask you or your child to contact Dennis Carlson at 633-2143, extension 18, and demand change. Our kids deserve better.

Sharey Redthunder

parent

Elmer City