Spencer, Mass., Mom Defends Bullying Son; Wants Principal Fired

The Massachusetts Senate approved an anti-bullying bill in March. This bill was long overdue and after the January suicide of Phoebe Prince, which generated urgent attention to the magnitude of the bullying issue, it met with unanimous approval. Now, according to a WBZ 38 Boston News report, a Spencer, Mass., mother wants a principal "fired" for singling out her sixth-grade son, who admitted openly in a TV news interview that he is a bully. Is the principal at fault, the bully or the mother?

Student Rats Himself Out as a Bully

How did 11-year-old Thomas Gebo end up in the middle of this now public brouhaha? Evidently, young Thomas did not realize there might be consequences when he turned in his own name as a bully. The principal asked sixth grade students to write out the names of other students they believed were bullies. Thomas named himself.

During lunch, recess and end-of-the-day dismissal the group of suspected bullies, were restricted from the rest of the kids at school. Despite the public declaration from her son that he is a bully, his mom wants the principal fired, apparently, because she feels he was harassed. Isn't that exactly what a bully does...harass?

Interestingly, Thomas, who thought it was okay to be a bully, does not appreciate being a target by the teachers and now the media. He said he plans to change his bullying ways, yet his mother still insists disciplinary action be taken against the principal.

Therefore, we have a principal who took a stand to curb the serious problem of bullying in her school, a kid who now believes bullying is not so cool after all and a mom who wants the principal to lose her job, even though her son came out of this incident with a healthy new perspective on bullying.

Should the principal lose her job for separating the bullies from the mainstream during lunch and recess? On the other hand, should the mom, be focused on the positive breakthrough Thomas made in his realization that bullying will not be tolerated or is her focus on getting someone fired legitimate?

How One Local School Informs Students about Bullying

My daughter is a teacher at a local middle school in Massachusetts and she personally despises bullying. She certainly deals with her share of bullying among students. I asked her what her school does to educate students on bullying and was impressed with the pro-active approach her administration takes to make students understand the seriousness of bullying.

She said that while there is no formal policy in place now-that will change because of the recent passage of Massachusetts' anti-bullying bill. The new anti-bullying law will require, among some things, school principals across the Massachusetts Commonwealth to report bullies to local police if they think criminal charges might ensue.

My daughter also said her school has a representative from the Massachusetts District Attorney's office speak to the students about the legalities of bullying. She noted many kids do not realize legal repercussions exist when it comes to bullying.

The DA's office rep brings to light the seriousness of harassing other students, disciplinary action that may follow and the results of what they can face if they are caught cyber bullying as well bullying by phone. Her school also has a resource officer, who comes in to talk one-on-one about the law with any student caught bullying.

Be the Example

In my view, the Spencer principal on the hot seat right now had good intentions when she attempted to take control of the bullying in her school. However, did she overstep a code of professional behavior by separating the group of bullies from the rest of the students?

Thomas turned himself in as a bully. Not sure if he was not using his head, is super honest or thought it was funny to do so. In the end, though, Thomas saw how uncomfortable it is to be the target of someone watching your every move.

Even when he went to the restroom, a teacher escorted him to and from the bathroom. Thomas said he did not like that at all; he appears to have a different attitude now about bullying. I hope it will last!

As for Thomas' mother, I feel a parent always wants to protect their child. However, her demand for the principal to lose her job is quite aggressive. Logically, how can aggressive behavior like that set an example for Thomas, who admits openly he is a bully, but desires change? What message is Mrs. Gebo sending to all the other bullies in Spencer?

Sources:

http://wbztv.com/video/?id=88507@wbz.dayport.com

Phoebe Prince - http://wbztv.com/local/bullying.teen.suicide.2.1446822.html