What is your schools policy and procedure in handling violence?

[gatorsmom]

I can't tell you how angry I am just writing this post. Gator is only 6yo and in Kindergarten and already I'm having to figure this stuff out. Our school says they have a "no tolerance" policy in dealing with kids who continually bully and taunt other kids. However, I seriously think their procedure in handling this is simply, "don't hit or I'll tell you again don't hit." I don't have time to get into it here- probably later when the kids are sleeping but Gator is seeing his best friend (who is small for his age and gifted and put in a grade higher) being hurt and targeted on a daily basis. Gator is stronger and bigger and doesn't the bullying as much but he knows we don't like violence in our house. He's takes karate lessons but he has never used them on anyone as he knows how we feel about that. But after seeing his friend getting hurt a lot and he occasionally gets picked on himself- with very little protection from the school- I told him to warn anyone who is picking on him that he's going to push them and then if they come at him again he should kick give them one hard kick or push to the chest and put them down. Then tell the teacher or principal to call me since I told him he could.

I hate violence and it angers me that I should have to tell him this. This is not ideal. This is a fix until I talk to the prinicipal and teachers and figure out a way to get this solved. An ideal situation would be one where all the kids looked forward to recess with innocent excitement knowing they will not be hurt by others while out there. Instead we have children who look forward to recess with trepidation because they may have to defend themselves.

Ok, I have a lot more to say on this subject and many more thoughts on this, particularly that my fix (by telling Gator to kick someone) is not a fix and that it will only escalate the situation. And I intend to move quickly on this, but forthe time being I thought I'd ask your opinions on this.