Barb Jernigan wrote:

> > There's been so much focus on "violence in schools" that
> > districts have been pushed into this type of attitude.  Which is
> 
> Oh, I know.
> Can't win for losin', damned if you do, damned if you don't....
> =hugs=

That's about it, yeah. :(
*hugs*

> > sad, because it means the good kids don't feel okay about
> > defending themselves, but the "bad kids," who would have caused
> > trouble anyway, obviously don't have much respect for the rules
> > in the first place and therefore don't care.  I can't actively
> > encourage fighting (it's that whole "certificate" thing, y'know),
> 
> =nodding=

Not that I would, anyway.
 
> > but i have told kids, quietly and in private, "Just don't do
> > anything during school hours and on school property." Especially
> > when I know the kid about to be taken down *needs* it.  I think,
> > honestly, that in some cases, taking a bully down is much better
> > training for real life (i.e. "stop the behaviour *now* before you
> > end up in jail or worse") than "oh, no--you shouldn't fight--it's
> > not NICE."
> 
> yes, well, people have the notion that, giving the proper indoctrination,
> we CAN be nice.

Adults can. Kids can, too; just rarely to each other.

> I don't know if it's just that I'm an old dog and can't see the new path
> (I wish that were true), or if this attempt to play up the
"higher self"
> depends too much on the higher self being present, willing, and accounted
> for.

I think the latter is truer than the former. :)

> > Lissa Should'veSwungAPunchOrTwoMyself,WayBackWhen Wingling
> 
> I have a letter I wrote re: the zero-tolerance about bullies and how it's
> backfiring to the Colorado Attorney General.
> Sheila thought it was good (she encouraged me to write it, and delivered
> it for me), if people care to see.

Would love to.
 
> Anyway, lame as it sounds, Reid has been told not to start a fight (not
> that he would, he's a gentle soul in that regard), but, once started,
> WIN, and in short order. This from his TKD Instructor, too....
> He's never used that ... but it may be time to do a board breaking demo
> for his class (or have I typed that already)?

You have, but it's still cool. Hey, if I can make it down this
summer, may I have a demonstration?
 
> Clearly, however, listening to the posts here, a miserable school
> experience (or big miserable aspects) seems to be fairly universal. No
> wonder folks keep tweaking -- they MEAN well, of course, but run up
> against a human nature that still has roots in clubs and caves.

'Fraid so.
 
> *sigh*
> 
> OTOH, he's learning coping skills, tygress

That's true.

Lissa LifeSucksSometimes,AndSchoolSucksALotOfTheTime Wingling

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