BULLIES
(Continued from Page 25)
disabilities, youth of color, and
English-language learners.
Many students at risk of being
bullied may also become involved
in bullying by either directly participating in bullying behaviors or as a
supportive bystander. According to
Coles, this is particularly true for
special needs children, as "these
students can be more naïve, less
able to stand up for themselves
and less able to filter out
destructive behaviors."
5. Contact the principal
Amanda Gilleo, mother of two
from New Windsor, says her son,
Nicholas, suffers from Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
"Last year was his first year taking
the 'big boy bus' to get to kindergarten," says Gilleo. Nicholas had
previously taken a bus to attend
preschool, but the bus was smaller,
required all students wear a seat
belt and had an on-bus aide to
monitor the children.
This year was quite different as
children up to fifth grade were on
the same bus as Nicholas. "The new
bus required kindergarteners to sit
in the first two rows," says Gilleo.
"But by the time Nicholas got on
the bus, those seats were always
taken by other kindergarteners or
older students that were not
supposed to be there."
According to Gilleo, it's very hard
for her son to remain still, so his
bus driver took it upon herself to
place a third grader in the same
seat as Nicholas to babysit him
while on the bus. "This little girl
along with her friends started what
they called a 'Kindergarten Fight
Club' and encouraged other
students to hold Nicholas down
torment him," says Gilleo. "Our calls
to the bus company fell on deaf
26
Hudson Valley Parent
September 2013
mill street loft art workshop art classes
hudson river performing arts dance classes
dance instruction
dance school
art school
