The playground bully issue is in the news. Here is a recent scenario. One of my students repeatedly bullied others on the playground. I imposed the consequence of briefly separating him from the other children. He went home and told his parents he hadn't done anything wrong. Believing his story, they came to the school, complained to the principal and said I was picking on their child.
The bullying problem can only be lessened if three things happen: Children must be taught civility and appropriate social behavior at home and at school. Parents need to believe that their child is capable of harassing other children and allow reasonable consequences to be imposed. School personnel are obligated to provide adequate supervision.
Schools and parents must work as a team to try and curb this serious problem.
Carol A. Gwynn
Salt Lake City