Comments about ‘Letter: No tolerance? Step up the fight against bullies’

This bully issue is difficult to address. Here is what I would propose. School Uniforms. When an adult goes to work, they put their "work clothes" on. A doctor and his white lab coat, the uniform of a police office, etc... What we wear affects our behavior in some ways.
If everyone at the school was wearing the student uniform, that puts the students on a level playing field at least with dress. Make them all dress like students, and we might eliminate at least problems that stem from what students wear. Just like a doctor who works at the hospital should dress the part so should students who are showing up to learn, dress the part and act the role.

Bullying is a serious problem and should be addressed.

As far as the attitude of "boys will be boys" that was mentioned that sounds a bit sexist to me. Most boys are NOT bullies and then there are some girls, as well some boys, who ARE bullies. Boys and girls in my family have both run into bullies of their own gender.

I think it's the case that a minority of students are preying on weaker or more vulnerable fellow-students, with others tending to "look the other way" including it seems faculty members and / or administration. In fact it sounds like a microcosm of the adult world. Since education is compulsory it would seem that some students are "trapped" in an adverse situation not of their making. We need to act quickly and wisely.

Expel proven bullies from school and others tending that way will take note and think twice.

I taught sixth grade in a small town a few years ago. One student in my class was the school bully. Nothing we tried stopped him. One day, another sixth grade student came to us and asked what would happen if he took action. He said he was tired of watching the boy terrify the younger kids. We told him he'd have to face the usual punishment, lunch times in the empty auditorium for a week.

A few days later, the bully came yowling into the building from the playground, blood pouring from his nose. A few moments later the hero came in, walked up to the principal and me and said, "Okay, send me to the auditorium."

As he headed in that direction, the principal asked, "Was it worth it?"

The boy replied, "You bet it was!"

He took his consequences and there was no more bullying from the bully. At least not when the other kid was anywhere in sight.

Sometimes, simple solutions can be left to those closest to the problem. But nowadays that's not politically correct, is it?

This is a case of gross negligence in our school officials duty to keep our children safe at school. It is not against the law to take our children out of school. Many people home school. Instead of helping protect this boy the school turned around and bullied and threatened the boy's parents. It should be criminal for principals and teachers to not take action against documented bullying reported by students or parents.