Re: Being bullied? The public school board now has an app for that, the News, Feb. 14

Thank you for printing the story about the HWDSB’s introduction of a smart phone app to help combat bullying. What a great use of technology for our children to be able to anonymously report instances of bullying.

I wonder what happens with the information once it is received. Has the school board also created a new strategy for dealing with bullying, or will they simply be more aware of the problem? Bullying happens every day in every school. There is always a bully and always a victim, that is just the way things are and there is nothing that the school can do about it, no matter how hard they try. I know this to be true, my son’s principal told me so.

When my youngest son was in Grade 5, he was bullied. The principal at his school did everything in his power to stop the bullying. Everything, that is, except reprimand or suspend the bullies or even contact their parents. As a result of bullying, my son attempted suicide, twice.

In 2012, HWDSB introduced a prevention and intervention policy to protect our children. Surely this means that the end of all bullying is nigh. Possibly not, but great strides are being made by great people. But all the policies and goodwill in Hamilton will not stop a bully or a suicide if the principal on the front line does not care. Our policy makers and policy enforcers must be on the same page.

I urge all parents of bullied children to arm themselves with knowledge of the boards policies, the rights of their child and the responsibilities of the principal. Follow though and don’t  allow yourself to be told that nothing more can be done.

My son was offered a placement in an alternative school for “academic reasons.” I accepted, concerned only for my son’s safety, and I went quietly away.
My son is now in Grade 9. He is happy, social and doing well(ish) academically.

H.S.

Dundas