Bullying

I sent this to Kenny’s teacher today. I’m so upset over this. My heart is breaking. I’ve always known that Kenny was going to eventually have trouble because of how he is. He is so much like me – an easy target.  I just wasn’t prepared for it to begin in first grade.
 
Mr. H,
 
I know we have a meeting next week, but I didn’t want to wait to discuss this matter with you.
 
I’m pretty sure Kenny is being bullied at school. He’s been coming home telling me that B and S are throwing hard balls at his head during lunch recess, that S is kicking him, and B did something with the crayons. I think he kept taking them away or something, Kenny wasn’t clear on it. When he’s upset or embarrassed he tends to mumble and turn away.
 
I’ve been asking Kenny if they were playing games together and finally the other night he said that B and S didn’t like him and didn’t want him to play with him. And that even when he’s leaving those two alone, they’ll find him and hurt him.
 
Kenny said that you punished S by having him miss out on a game of Heads Up 7Up (tangent – I LOVED that game when I was a kid). That’s fine, but have you said anything to his parents?
 
I will *NOT* tolerate my son being bullied. I have told Kenny to stay away from B and S. I would appreciate your help on this matter as well. Kenny is socially awkward. He may not always read the cues correctly. But when he tells me that B and S search for him at recess to hurt him, that’s a bit much. It’d be different (sort of) if Kenny was pestering these boys.
 
This has been going on for several weeks now. I know kids are mean. Believe me, I was the same as Kenny when I was younger. But in this day in age, the "boys will be boys" mantra and excuse is not acceptable. I know these kids are just first graders, but if they don’t learn now that their behavior is unacceptable, when will they learn it?
 
Thanks,
Keepsake

Yeah. I’m not pissed yet. I’m broken hearted. I remember how bad it was for me. I still get that grip in my stomach when I think about what I went through. I’m better now, but still. Nobody should be treated this way. I never wanted Kenny to go through that. I knew he would not be a social butterfly. But I had hoped that maybe he could just be a "shadow kid." One that just blends in with the crowd and doesn’t stand out as the target. But he is. He’s the different one in the class. He’s the target. I hate it. HATE IT. I can’t protect him from it except to talk to the teacher and to try to keep Kenny talking to me about it. When we were little, it was an ignored problem. Kids were kids was all we got. These days, people realize how bad it can all be. It needs to be stopped. I’m miserable over the whole thing. Now I know why Kenny really doesn’t want to go to school. He’s got no friends and he’s picked on.
 
 

I have to stop or I’m gonna cry.