Local Student With Autism Faces Bullying, Head On
An Andrew High School 15-year-old tormented on a summer school bus ride was not looking forward earlier this month to today's kick-off of the academic year. The Tinley resident, who is autistic, had several wads of gum stuck in his hair by peers.
If Josh Howorth could relay one message to the bullies at his school, he says he'd tell them, "I'm used to it."
Although Andrew High School has been good to Josh, who is autistic, the 15-year-old wasn't exactly looking forward as summer school wrapped up in July to the start of the academic year. Classes for middle and upperclassmen resume today.
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The sophomore's reluctance to return to his regular routine stems not from a demanding class schedule or intimidating workload, but from a July 24 afternoon bus ride between summer school at Carl Sandburg High School and his pickup location at Andrew. That day, several students decided to take their bullying to the next level, said Josh's mother, Eileen Howarth.
"I picked him up and there was a big wad of gum in his hair," she said. "He said he thought (the other kids) were throwing paper at him. He knew something was happening but he doesn't really … he's not confrontational like that with people. He's not going to yell. He had his headphones on."
Eileen immediately took her son to get a haircut, at which point the stylist discovered that he had not one, but close to a dozen pieces of gum stuck throughout his hair. All—particularly one larger mass—had to be cut out individually.
"Of course, he had been trying to pull it out," she said. "For people with autism, there's a sensory issue there. His head is the most sensitive part of his body. Getting a haircut has always been an issue. It's traumatic for him."
Josh's latest run-in with bullies wasn't his first. His mother said the two moved from Chicago in the Summer 2011 to get out of the Chicago Public School system where Josh's peers regularly tormented him. They made fun of him for a bag he carries, he said, and even called him gay—teasing that's carried over to Andrew High School, he said.
"It's painful," he said, seated on a picnic bench outside of a local coffee shop. "Especially what happened with the haircut. … If you're a bully, you're wrong. They're pretty much gangsters in terms of how mean it is."
Eileen was looking forward to sending Josh to Andrew, she said, and has not been disappointed with the school's attention to detail when it comes to his autism.
"They've honed in on his interests academically," she said. "He's said he likes it a lot better. My only issue is some of these other kids."
Eileen was working at the end of July on getting a copy of surveillance footage from inside the school bus to help identify those responsible for throwing gum in Josh's hair, she said. She was also talking with Andrew High School deans. On July 30, she filed a police department at the Tinley Park Police Department.
"It's about accountability," she said. "The kids need to own up to what they did and their parents need to know. … Parents need to educate their kids about special needs and not just that. You're not within your right to do something to someone else with intent to hurt them. Putting gum in someone's hair is not a joke."
Consolidated School District 230 Spokesman Carla Erdey said a variety of staff members including counselors, students, deans and teachers are called in to combat instances of bullying.
"Any circumstance that's brought to our attention is investigated fully," she said. "Providing a safe and comfortable learning environment for all of our students is incredibly important and all of our staff take that very seriously."
Among those is Mike Murphy, head dean at Andrew High School, who has been helping get to the bottom of the July 24 incident. He declined to reference the circumstances specifically per district policy, but discussed how bullying is typically handled at the school. Prior to his eight years as dean at Andrew, Murphy was a school social worker, he said.
"Any time we're aware of any misbehavior of a kid towards another kid … bottom line is there has to be some type of investigation," he said. "Bottom line, it's our job and our goal to protect kids. We want kids to feel like they're safe in school and in a safe environment."
He said the police department has a reciprocal agreement with the district in that if a student breaks the law outside of campus, officers notify deans and vice versa. A juvenile detective, commonly known as the School Resource Officer, is also on hand.
"Society is reactionary," Murphy said. "I always say, what do we do to be proactive in terms of talking about the concepts of misbehavior, harassment, bullying, is the most important. Otherwise, we rely solely on trying to hold kids accountable through the consequence system."
The best thing parents, teachers, mentors and students can do to prevent bullying is to make personal connections and relate specific experiences to behavior, he said.
"If kids, in particular, can make those connections, they are able to walk in other people's shoes and tell how that person feels," he said. "If someone doesn't understand the impact of their behavior, they don't think about these things until after the fact. The trick is, we talk about these things before they happen."
Bullying should be handled using a community approach, he said, not merely a school approach. Parents, coaches, neighbors, church pastors and camp counselors need to be involved in these conversations, he said, adding that cyber bullying is increasingly prevalent.
But Murphy has noticed a change in students' sensitivity to bullying, he said.
"Over the last eight years, I would say that I've seen more and more kids speak up and say things about the behaviors and misbehaviors of somebody else," he said. "Kids are more accountable and responsible to each other in terms of what they're willing to tolerate from other kids. They have to realize, 'Hey, I can't do this because guess what? I'm judged by my peers as well.'"
Eileen's hope is that such accountability continues, she said, emphasizing that Josh and others with disabilities are "different, not less."
"This isn't about stringing these kids up and giving them the harshest punishment," she said. "It's more that I'm not going to tolerate this against my son ever again."
In This article
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Victor J. Andrew High School
9001 171st St, Tinley Park, IL -
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Consolidated High School District 230
15100 S 94th Ave, Orland Park, IL -
Tinley Park Police Department
7850 183rd St, Tinley Park, IL
Landmark Flooring
10:16 am on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Eileen, I applaud your effort and work with 230 on this very difficult issue. Bullying in my opinion must be met head on and as soon as possible. I feel for your son and pray things will get better for him this school year. Good Luck and God Bless..
Merope Pavlides
10:16 am on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Bullying of people with autism isn't limited to the schoolyard. This is a pervasive problem. Please read "Eye Wide Open" at Autism After 16.
http://www.autismafter16.com/article/08-13-2012/eyes-wide-open
kathleen rush
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
It's a great book. I am a one on one aide to a student with autism and read this when i started working with her. It gave me an idea of what life is like from her perspective. I would encourage everyone to read it.
Harry Callahan
10:16 am on Thursday, August 16, 2012
I would love to be this kids BODYGUARD ,you know like the elected officials have and the great Hollywood trash have,and teach these liberal brats a lesson.And you know the shame of this most of the time like the school and parents know this is going on .
PJ
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Amazing how you were able to pick up that the bullies in this story are liberal. I assume you know of all their names and have looked into their parents' voting history to confirm this. I'm not trying to stick up for these kids by any means, but I just wanted to thank you for tying politics into the constant ongoing issue that is bullying. Nothing like some divisive conversation to further split our community apart. While I can't speak for other parents, I can't fathom any school official knowing of abusive behavior such as this and not putting an end to it (especially in D230).
Chris Pluchar
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Harry,
While entitled to your opinion, I think you're grasping at straws here. The issue isn't political leanings by any means. If you want to voice your support for the student, more power to you. However, don't try to politicize this just to further divide.
Take Care,
Chris
Chester Rook
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Liberal brats? How do you know they're not conservative? And what do elected officials and Hollywood stars with bodyguards have to do with bullying?
WarriorMom
10:19 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
"can't fathom any school official knowing of abusive behavior such as this and not putting an end to it (especially in D230)."
As I indicated D230 has been very responsive to this issue. However, we had been in CPS for 4 years and NOTHING was ever done. They always tried to twist it around to make it seem like it was my son's behaviors or "nothing" happened it "his" interpretation of events and he like when a kid smacked in from behind in the ear and then told the teacher my son was walking down the hall and got hit with a book - this same child I caught the next winter throwing snowballs into a BUSY INTERSECTION. He was told to "suffer in silence" - so no that is not true - At the final parent teacher conference his homeroom teacher acknowledged issue - day late and a dollar short. You may not fathom it but its reality. This article was not done to criticize the school or politicians although I would rethink the contract with the bus company violating its contract and giving two different stories as to why there was no video. The head dean has been awesome. The bullies in this story are BULLIES - period and no matter where they come from need to be held accountable - period. Thanks everyone for commenting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awareness is key - teach your children "Different not Less" - Temple Grandin's Mother
Harry Callahan
10:19 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
PJ theres a couple of sayings were I come from,"Bite my shorts and go bark at the moon,or make my day "Punk.Now go back to your obama doll.
Harry Callahan
10:19 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Chester what applies to PJ applies to you,now buzz off.
Harry Callahan
10:19 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Chris "Thats right I'm entitle to my opinion.
Dr. Bob
11:53 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but it's a double-edged sword Harry, appears you forgot that, being it does not stop right there in this country of ours, every citizen in this great country of ours has all ramifications to look like a fool and be wrong in this great country of ours Harry
Harry Callahan
8:07 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Dr, Bob, Instead of lecturing me,maybe you should go on the TV show "The View". In my eyes the kid in this story is my concern and important,some are telling me its not political,I say pooey,the school is standing there tweddling their thumbs,Why because their part of it and all on the opposite side of the kid and his family they don't want to ruffle feathers,Example the mayor of Chicago has shootings and killings happening almost everyday and its out of control.I say call in the National Guard,no he won't do it Why because he doesn't want to offend a certain group of people and doesn't want to lose votes for him or his political party he represents,so he puts out these bs reports to the media and to the citizens 1. to the ones that are involved and the ones that are concerned,no different than this bulling story that took place on a bus from Dist 230 maybe on a different level.So you and others that are on my case well I'm not the problem,maybe its people like you that look for others to blame but yourselves.
Chester Rook
9:46 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
I'm with Dr. Bob. Harry is no stranger to looking like a fool. I put as much seriousness and credibility in his comments as I do with Ivent.
Dr. Bob
9:46 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
I have watched the View, and to be honest, that possesses absolutely no relevance to your argument, nor does it in this one either. You sir are an internet troll, an internet bully, grouping and homogenizing liberals as bullies, and what not in your twisted mind. That is where you went wrong, and why so many readers on this article are coming to my defense and voicing their opinions AGAINST you, because you feel it is okay and acceptable to confuse liberals as "autistic bulliers" which is unfounded, incorrect, and inhumane. Keep your hate message off this chat board Harry, it's people like you, yes you, who bully others for no real purpose, and group people together as if you are a deity. Appears your message is no more different than that of the bullies, Harry, open your eyes.
Harry Callahan
7:30 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
@DR. Bob,How many times do I have to tell you this is not about me its about a kid that was harrassed,but you continue to talk about me,I must have really struck a nerve,maybe it was your kid that was harrassing this young boy or is it plain and simple that you are a lefty liberal nut job.Leave it go already this is a story of a young boy that some made his life miser able.Do you understand!!!!! and that goes for Chester too.
Moonglow
10:16 am on Thursday, August 16, 2012
This is pathetic! What the heck is wrong with people!?? If there is evidence on video tape, the Mom should press charges against all the idiots that tormented her son! What these "kids" will learn as life goes on for them, that was "goes around, comes around." In the meantime, community service working with special needs people, would be justice!!
AJG
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
If the tape can identify the sicko's that did this and they still didn't do anything to resolve this she should sue the school at this point. Should have been resolved the same day and they know who was on that bus its not like they have to do a witch hunt through 1,000 students.
WarriorMom
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
There is no video according to the bus company ( though it is part of their contract with D230) First, it was "oh that was a swapped bus for that day", next it was the hard drive doesn't work you know because of how the bus jostles etc... The man literally used the words "minor incident" - so then what if this wasn't a "minor incident" - I mean don't get me wrong assault is assault especially against a special needs student - minor ( which is really relative) or not this company's contract calls for audio and video -
John
10:16 am on Thursday, August 16, 2012
I want to know why these bullies think it's funny to pick on someone who is defenseless to them. I want to take these so called tough guy bullies put them in a place with real mean and nasty people and see how tough they really are. Let's keep picking on the weak im sure that makes them feel so good about themselves. Hope your parents are proud
Kathy
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Why can't the school figure out who was involved in this incident? I would have every kid that was on that bus sitting in that school until someone took responsibility. I mean how big of a bully are you that you can pick on an autistic young man but can't step up and say you were the one doing it. Bullying is taken too lightly by school districts and in return you have younger and younger children taking their own lives because they don't want to face there bullies. Why doesn't this school have an assembly and make the students aware of Autism and the consequences of bullying. I believe the statistics are somewhere around one in every 63 children born are autistic, so the chances of having an autistic family member someday is very high. How would these students feel if it was their brother, son, or cousin being bullied??? I have two autistic nephews. They are 3 and 5. I worry every day that besides the hurdles of everyday life they will have to get through the same BullSh** this poor young man has to deal with. I just don't see any reason why the school has not gotten to the bottom of this already. When they do figure out who was involved, those students should have to stand in front of the entire school and say "Hi My Name is _________________ and I like to bully people with Autism." If we don't start taking these situations seriously they are going to escalate out of control.
WarriorMom
10:19 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
They have as of today I received the news - I want a public apology made to my son, community service with special needs kids and $20 for the hair cut my son had to ENDURE.
Moonglow
12:43 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
When the District gets sued for big money, THEN they will understand. When they have to part with possibly hundreds of thousands of DOLLARS, THEN they might understand to stop the "lip service" and take decisive action NOW.......not a year from now!!! in the meantime, is this child still riding the bus? What happens to this boy in the classroom too? It's a damn shame thaty people are so callous and un-feeling for their fellow human-beings.
sharon P
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
As a mother of a autistic 22 yr old young man I truly sympathize with you. My son was bullied as well during his junior high school years. When i found out about it i then requested private transportation to and from the school. When he went to Tinley Park high we also requested private transportation for him. A taxi service delivered him to and from the school for the next four years. if you feel this is still going to be a issue for him ask for a new IEP and request private transportation. This does not excuse the bullies who still need to be disciplined but it will make the ride for your son less of a stressor. As far as this happening on the bus, i have to say I too am a bus driver and unfortunately we dont see everything. You may want to contact the bus company and let them know this occurred. They will speak to the driver to see if she/ he knew of anything. Aslo remember you can also request a School bus aide to ride with your child. Just have it written into his IEP.
WarriorMom
10:19 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
This bus company was absolutely rude and no help at all. See above
Heidi Herrmann
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Eileen -I am trying to improve this very similar scenario in the Mokena Schools at the moment... Please "like' my page on FB -https://www.facebook.com/#!/WeWantABullyProgramAtMokenaSchoolDistrict159 if there is ANYTHING I can do for you... Please please get in contact with me! I have made some wonderful connections in the last 6 months fighting this issue!!! I will pray for you and your son... Big Hugs to you! Heidi
Joe Malecki
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
The high school needs to pay more attention to this and punish these punks severely. The parents are the ones that need to step up to the plate and punish their babies accordingly. Who in the hell do these punks think they are? Goes back to their upbringing at home! Take the cars and cell phones away from them..They'll live!
Opinion 1
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
I am an Andrew parent and this just sickens me 100%. I am so sorry that this has happened to your beautiful son. How terrible! There is no place for bullies and I must admit - Andrew does turn its cheek on issues and it again is just sickening to me. Stay strong and I am thankful for your son.
AJG
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
There is no reason that these kids should have not been identified by now with the tape.. SHAME! on the school for delaying this. This bullies should be exposed and punished harshly. My heart goes out to the mother and son, this must break her heart having her son treated like this.
AJG
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Second thought: to any student that is protecting these bullies and not speaking out you are now just as guilty for the abuse to this young man by allowing it to happen.
Concerned Parent
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Why can't the school be responsible for this viscious act on Josh ?? , they need to take ownership of this issue and have it corrected, the" Kids" ... need to be disciplined and made aware of just how disgusting their actions were and that they come with consquences ...the parents need to be made aware of thier childrens actions.. The head dean's quotes are just a lot of jumbo mumbo on policies ,but to my understanding , as of today, this issue has STILL not been corrected. Josh's mom has been very patient with the SYSTEM, more so than most of us could be as a parent. I pray that this is handled soon for Josh's sake, It has to be a horrible feeling dreading to go to school every day . Wonder how the KIDS would feel if the shoe was on the other foot?? hmmm
S
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
My son attended the Lincoln Way East & North Spec Ed programs. Never once was he treated badly. He was included in everything and even went to 2 proms with a student peer helper and a college student. He was treated well and for that I feel blessed. My biggest fear in life was exactly what you and your son went thru. My heart hurts for your family. I know violence is not the answer but it seems those students need some sense and respect knocked into them. I hope that one day they dont end up in the situation you are in. Im sure they wouldnt like their child going thru what your son did!!!!!!!!!!! I hope the justice system does its job. Bless you and your family.
PEggy R
11:53 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
My niece was a student peer helper at Lincoln way....GREAT PROGRAM!! I saw the pics of the prom and how much fun EVERYONE had together...
Dr. Bob
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
@Harry Callahan
"teach these liberal brats a lesson."
Please reframe from turning this chat board into a political debate, this a child who is defenseless and was abused countless times over his life. Shame on you for turning Josh's message into a political agenda for yourself.
Dr. Bob
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
my apologies, "refrain" not "reframe"
Victoria
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
My son is about to start high this year and I've road our local public transit and the kids from this high where my they want my son to attend was making fun of him. My son is also severly autistic so i know how you feel. My Email is vopatav @ yahoo .com if you would like to talk. I know would to see what I'm facing.
Jill Ratajczak
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
It's about time someone has made the public aware of this type of problem occurring every day throughout America. Schools and politicians across the nation are stating they're 'cracking down' on these issues, but I have yet to see wide spread public awareness. Articles like this one are needed to be made more public than just small town papers. Kudos to Eileen and especially Josh for speaking up. I realize how difficult this situation was for Josh, but I applaud his bravery and maturity in the steps taken to overcome it.
Jenny
9:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
My son will be attending Andrew in 2 years and also has Autism. This I very concerning. I am dissatisfied with the way Andrew High School deals with bullying. They're solution? Peer mediation. How they think it's a great idea to have the bully and victim talk about their feelings is insane. If an incident becomes violent both bully and victim are punished! WHY IS THE VICTIM PENALIZED DIST 230??
Expulsions should be handed out! I am disappointed that the district can not get the video feed from the Transportation Company immediately.
My daughter began her Sophomore year this year and has seen your son around Campus. She is now, and has been since she began Jr High terrified and disgusted by the treatment of our very special children. She brought this article to my attention and immediately took to her Facebook account do express her disgust and fear for her brothers safety.
Eileen, please take this case as far and high up into the school and judicial system and make an example of these deviants. I am heart broken you and your family had to experience such a nightmare.
Sarah
5:58 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Peer mediation is actually very beneficial for both the bully and the student being bullied. But Peer mediation only works with a good program, a bully with a conscience and some intelligence, and a bully-ee who can express themselves well. It is not the 'ANSWER' to bullying. But it can be a way to open peers' eyes to what bullying does to people and what it means to work against bullying. It should be part of the response, but not all.
Jenny
12:43 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
The only people benefiting from Peer Mediation is the School. It's the best they can do and eases their conscious'. I've spoken to roughly two dozen kids about the effectiveness of it. All have agreed that it is useless. That once they walk into the hallway the bully uses what was said as more fuel.
Schools coddle way to much nowadays. When I was growing up detentions/expulsions got handed out all the time. Kids bullied less since they were scared to do anything wrong. Or go home with a punk slip and suffer the conciquences of their parents. As most of us agree bullies bully because of their own insecurities and/or home issues. They didn't want more negative attention from their parents.
JOAN
10:19 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
When school official's find out and identify these "bullie's" they should have them one at a time, ride the bus WITH Josh each day for one week, to "protect" him, from further bulleying, and maybe in the process, they would get to know what a "great kid" Josh is, and maybe, just maybe they would see as Josh's mom said.......Josh is different, but NOT LESS..... and should be treated with the same respect, and consideration any person deserves! "Shame on them!"
TJ
9:46 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
I graduated Andrew last year and I was a peer mediator for all four years. I've only had to do one mediation the entire time, and it worked. I've noticed that the more severe cases are placed in the Dean's hands (for example, someone I used to know once pulled a knife on another student. He was arrested and suspended immediately, no mediation). Peer mediations are generally used for smaller problems between students that are, most of the time, good friends. The bullying that I've encountered at VJA was always dealt with accordingly. For example, I was once called "Ching-Chong" by someone in my CADD class. He was given a detention. I believe that's fair. Had he physically harrassed me, suspension would have been in order, but he did not.
Is the system perfect? No. Is it better than most anti-bullying systems? Considering that it holds the same zero-tolerance policy no matter the race, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental handicap, or whatever else, I believe that it works.
Sarah Bobis
9:46 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
I know I'm perhaps a bit late on commenting, but as an Andrew alum who has been bullied in the past, I can honestly say that the school is doing their best. It would take a small army to effectively bully patrol those hallways, especially when they're crammed with hundreds of students who don't seem to understand the consequences of their actions. Sure, they could call a school-wide assembly, but most of those bullies will text and goof off the whole time. Should they be punished by the school? Heck yes. But the school can only do so much... The true personality is formed at home. Parents need to teach their kids to respect other human beings. I love and respect the deans at Andrew, but they can't do the job of a parent, nor are they superheroes. The funny thing is that they will try to be both. If anyone can find out who the culprits are without punishing the whole bus, they can.
anon
5:58 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
It's funny how two people, different names but same grammar are saying their kid was bullied and than they have a kid who is going there in two years. Ironic isn't it?
anon
5:58 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
It's funny how two people, different names but same grammar are saying their kid was bullied and than they have a kid who is going there in two years. Ironic isn't it?
anon
7:30 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
It's funny how two people, different names but same grammar are saying their kid was bullied and than they have a kid who is going there in two years. Ironic isn't it?
Concerned Parent
5:58 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
really??? thats all you can find to contribute to this ????
WarriorMom
7:30 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
TJ
This was physical harassment not name calling
Jane Lellman
7:30 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
I am appalled but not surprised this happened.....kids can be beyond horrible at times with no consideration for anyone else, and some parents are no better. If these bullies had moms as dedicated to child rearing as Josh's Mom this would not have happened!!! She is clearly exceptional. Sounds like the school official talks a good story, I really hope he follows through on this investigation. Josh and his Mom deserve it!
Maryann Boldt
5:58 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
I would press charges.
KathyJ
5:58 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Enough is enough and we must put a stop to "bullying." Sad that parents continue to turn a "blind eye" when it comes to their children. Don't tell me you don't know whether your kid is a bully or not. Of course YOU do...They show you over and over again and you make a excuses for their behavior...You are an enabler and are just as responsible as they are for the pain they inflict on others...This is not just a phase that kids will grow out of...These bullies continue on the same path into their adult lives..You see them time and again at little league games and other extracurricular sporting events..Maybe if they had faced consequences when they were younger this cycle of bullying could have been stopped. Press charges and make them accountable for their actions. In the long run you maybe doing them and society a favor.
Tara Evans
5:58 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Someone needs to make an example of these kids. Someone in an earlier post said that they would have all the kids from the school bus in one room until the people responsible were identified. I totally agree.. and I think the police should be in the room too. Who the hell puts gum in someone's hair, let alone someone with sensory issues and autism? The cops need to do whatever they can, even if it means embarrassing these idiots infront of their peers. I may be crazy, but I feel like Josh was assaulted. In his mind, he was too.. my son has issues with getting haircuts too, and I can't imagine someone having to cut gum out of his hair. It is torturous for them to have to go through all of that. The police HAVE to be able to do something!
Moonglow
12:43 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
The mother should handle it with the school, the District Superintendent AND the Police by filing assault charges on the morons who think its "funny" to physically someone! The school knows exactly WHO was on the bus and should act accordingly.
Jim
5:58 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
" Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless! Not to speak is to speak, not to act is to act." Anyone who witnessed this should come forward. The bus driver, other kids on the bus, even one of the persons involved if they have a conscience thats bothering them. Hold their feet to the fire Eileen, this could have been worse. It seems there is only action when things do get worse.
MagtheHag
12:43 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Come on Andrew, you have a list of kids that were to be on that summer school bus. Maybe a quick, question and answer session is necessary. Maybe just maybe if it's explained to the right compassionate kid, they will spill the beans. If we do not protect our weakest of people (disabled) we are all going to hell in a hand basket.
I have to agree with Tara Evans, maybe all that were on the bus that day need some sensativity training...God knows it won't hurt any of them.
Thank You God it was not my kid.
I think it's well past the considerate amount of time for the school to do something and contact channel 7 so that maybe they can draw attention to this matter.
Moonglow
12:43 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
At the next D-230 Board Meeting, all parents should show up and ask valid questions about this incident, as has been pointed out on this sound-board! If this bullied child doesn't get justice from D-230, then legal action against the district, the bus company AND the bus driver, should be initiated. The bus driver is SUPPOSE to be in charge of what goes on while she has custody of these children on HER bus route!
Moonglow
12:43 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Suspension, and/or Expulsion of the perpetrators, should also be in the equation. There is no room for "people" to freely assault someone....... autistic or not.
Moonglow
12:43 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Back when I was in grade school in the 50's and HS in the 60's, I was bullied everyday because I was overweight. There was no such thing as bullying or any ramifications for those who thought it was funny to hurt someone whom THEY perceived as "different." Kids are vicious when they can get away with whatever they choose to do!
June Whitehand
12:43 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Bullying is taught at home. Just like the Josh was taught courage.
I think it would be appropriate for parents of offending students to have some "re-education". If you teach your children that you think you are better than everyone else & that it is OK to bullying your way into what ever you want, then you should share in their punishment.
Would be great to see some of those people in my own community shown that bullying (regardless of who they are attacking) is WRONG.
WarriorMom
11:07 am on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Update:
The school as followed through and found out who did it. I have to admit i have a hard time with only one givent he number if kids on the bus. Here is the deal all I am allowed to know at this point is the kid admitted he did it and is remorseful. Yep I am struggling with this still. I am not allowed to know how he was disciplined but that he was. i am still deciding on whether or not to press charges through the police. I still want somehow for these kids to know I will not tolerate any more crap done to my son - EVER. I do hope that parents of other bullied children really push the issue. I would like D230 never to use this bus company again as they put all children riding them at risk and are in violation of their contract.
I want to reiterate the school's actions have been honorable to both children as is their responsibility. I have greatly appreciated their support with this issue even beyond the investigation. Though I do not know how this "child" was disciplined I believe Andrew administration and staff do understand the severity and have followed school policies accordingly. I think circulation and comments shouldn't stop because maybe this will help other parents and children come forward. If you were on the bus, if your kids were on the bus please talk to them never be afraid to tell the truth, if your children are hurting others you really need to step up. If your child(ren) are being hurt in any way shape or form - TELL. There is support.
Carol
11:07 am on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I totally agree with June. Where are the parents of these kids that were on the bus. Maybe its time that the parents start to share in the punishment for their kids actions. I'm tired of hearing boys will be boys and what can I do. These are the same parents that say not my kid he(she) wouldn't do that but do something to their kid and they will be knocking your door down.
EK
8:17 am on Tuesday, March 26, 2013
I am so happy that you are taking actions to make these students aware that what they are doing is mean and hurtful. I think it is time for schools/ teachers to teacher the rules of inclusion to all students.