Anonymous asked this question on 3/31/2000:

A student in my child's class has threatened to kill another student and blow up the school. The school knows about it and says they are handling the situation.The student had been suspended but has returned to class.All the kids are afraid of the girl. My daughter comes home everyday crying and telling me she is afraid.How do we handle this?Should we pull her out of school?This student has picked on my daughter as well as others on a weekly basis.We appreciate any advice,thank you., A student in my child's class has threatened to kill another student and blow up the school. The school knows about it and says they are handling the situation.The student had been suspended but has returned to class.All the kids are afraid of the girl. My daughter comes home everyday crying and telling me she is afraid.How do we handle this?Should we pull her out of school?This student has picked on my daughter as well as others on a weekly basis.We appreciate any advice,thank you.

jenl gave this response on 3/31/2000:

I wouldn't pull your daughter out of school just yet. In my opinion, that would be punishing your daughter for someone else's behavior. I would, however, request a meeting with the Principal of the school your daughter attends. You, the principal, and your daughter should all get together, in fact. Your daughter should tell the principal what the other child has done to pick on her. If she doesn't want to go with you to the principal, I wouldn't force her. You could relate the story.

If the school refuses any disciplanary action against this child, I would take it up with the school board. If it appears that their hands are tied, I would take your daughter out of school at that point.

I would also suggest that, if you can, you should find other mothers with concern for their children's well-being. Perhaps more of you can confront the school about this problem. I know in my town, right after the Columbine shooting, three boys threatened some other children at the local elementary school. They were expelled. School threats are nothing to fool around with these days, and I would remind the principal of that if I were you.

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