Question:
Since we just moved, my son (12) is going to be transferring to a new school in the fall. He's pretty shy and was bullied in his last school, since he's kind of a geek. Do you think we should speak to his teacher before Back-to-School night, and if so, what should we say?Answer:
ParentingTeensOnline expert John Blaber, M.A. discusses the topic, "Keeping teens in ‘school shape’ over the summer". John is an English teacher, Alameda High School, CA. He answers:
Yes, you should definitely speak to your child's new teacher and an administrator at your son's new school about your son's history as a target of bullying. But don't wait until Back-to-School night to have that conversation. Initiate the conversation over the summer before school starts. Back to school night is not the best time to bring up a complex, serious issue such as bullying; teachers are meeting scores of parents and the demands on their attention prevent them from giving you the time and individual attention this issue requires. Students who are targets of bullying spend their energy at school being afraid and worrying about when and how they will be bullied again. Because your son was bullied at his previous school, he may be worried that he will be bullied at his new school. You can help reduce his anxiety by talking with him, getting him counseling if he is receptive to the idea, and by letting him know that you are proactively addressing the issue with teachers and administrators at his new school so he will be safe there. Many schools have school-wide programs to prevent bullying. Talking with an administrator at your son's new school over the summer can help him to take advantage of resources such as peer mentoring that can prevent bullying at his new school. Communication between parents and school officials before bullying starts is the key to preventing it. There are proven strategies for talking with teachers and school officials and with young children and teens who have been targeted by bullies. The National School Safety Center has an extensive web site with free resources about bullying for parents. Visit the bullying resources section of their web site online at: http://www.schoolsafety.us/Bullying-p-26.html.