Update on my son

[GoddessOfGuinness]

I kept my boy home from school today and took him to the doctor to get the necessary documentation of his injuries. She didn't like the look of his finger, and wanted x-rays to determine whether it's fractured; and she thought it would be a good idea to have some made of his head as well, since that's where those bastards landed most of their blows.

Before I took him for his appointment, I finally got a phone call from the school. But it wasn't about my son's attack. It was the police officer who is assigned to my son's school. They apparently got a tip that my son was planning on bringing a weapon to school today.

Isn't it interesting that they were concerned enough to tell me about this, but his attack wasn't worth worrying over?

I'm supposed to have a conference with his teachers tomorrow to discuss his progress in his classes. It's tempting to take the opportunity to chew somebody out; but I'm thinking it might be best to keep my counsel until after I've spoken with a lawyer.
My complaints would probably be sloughed off anyway.

[Padraig18]

1. What happened, lass?

???

[Droopy]

6. A group of gangsta wanabes decided to beat him him up

[onebigbadwulf]

2. It was probably the same kids who beat him up

that gave the cop a 'tip'. They need to be investigated.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. The kids who beat him up are on "long-term suspension"

Which means they'll have a hearing to determine whether they're expelled or not.

I suspect my son may have said something to one of his friends when he was angry, without thinking about his words, that led them to believe he was going to seek revenge.

He's calmed down significantly. I think running around, getting the documentation, and talking about the course we're taking is helping him feel less helpless. We have a counseling appointment tomorrow morning which should help further.

[liberalhistorian]

3. Not to sound ignorant,

but I missed the story, what happened to your son?

[Heddi]

4. a 'tip', eh?

I know you said your son brought a weapon to school in the past for his own protection---please, PLEASE advise your son to seriously be on the up-and-up for the remainder of the school year.

The 'tip' either came from one of the thugs that beat him down (to 'scare' him/you into not pressing charges), or could have been imagined by the administrators to scare you/him into not taking action against their inaction.

I have a feeling that the Administration knows they are in some deep-shit over this. I'm sure they're going to try to do everything they can to paint your son either as an aggressive kid who had it coming, or as a ticking-time bomb that was taken down by some thoughtful youth concerned with school safety, or something along those lines.

At the school conference, I would talk about nothing BUT your son's progress. Don't mention ANYTHING about what happened yesterday. Don't let on that you're troubled or upset by it, or the extent of your son's injuries, or that you're considering legal action (either against them or the perps). Let them think you're just another mamby-pamby mother who hasn't got a clue which way is up.

Keep them in the dark. Seriously. Otherwise, if they know you're in a fighting mood, they will do EVERYTHING they can to either provoke you OR your son.

Seriously, once your son goes back to school, I would not be surprised if there weren't more 'tips' or even random locker-searches or person searches, you know, because he's so DANGEROUS :eyes:

[rustydog]

12. You are soooo WRONG!

If she doesn't voice concern over her son's injuries, the viciousness and cowardice shown in the attack and WHO she plans to hold responsible, if a suit is filed, the police officer present (and the school officer will be there!) the principal and the schools attorney will testify that the victim's mother wasn't showing any concern when they met!

Go in and demand expulsion of the attackers, demand to find out who lied about her son planning on bringing in a weapon and demand they destroy no documents that may be relevent in future civil litigation.

[jiacinto]

13. I wouldn't be confrontational

And I wouldn't be hinting at legal action. That will give them time to cover their asses.

Also being that adversarial this early on helps them.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

14. Thanks...did that

as soon as the policeman called. I told him that he should expect to get frisked when he returns to school, and he'd better not have anything that could even remotely be considered a weapon.

I think you're right about keeping them in the dark; but to be honest, these people seem so dim-witted that I doubt they'd even notice that I was angry. Whenever I visit the main office, I feel like I'm talking with slugs.

[jiacinto]

16. Don't be confrotational

Be civil. Acting hot headed is only going to give them evidence to use against you later.

I know it's hard, but please be civil and courteous with these people.

[jiacinto]

5. What happened?

What school distri t is it?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. Here's the original thread

in case you didn't see it yesterday:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=419582

[jiacinto]

8. Advice on what I would do.

My advice to you:

1) Go to a doctor's office and get proof of the injuries NOW. Seems like you did that already.

2) File a complaint in writing immediately with the school. File a complaint with the police immediately. Get a copy of the police report and save a copy for youself. Make a copy for your lawyer and for the school to show that you took action immediately.

3) Write a letter immediately to the principal and the teacher detailing what happened. CC the school security guard and the superindentent. Be concise and to the point. Don't make threats in the letter. Send the letters via registerd mail to all parties and enclose copies of the police report.

4) As hard as it is you MUST be civil with the teachers and the administrators involved with this matter. Talk to them in a mature fashion. Same for your son. Tell him to be mature, civil, and professional in his dealings with them. Take notes of the meeting so that you can remember the details later.

5) Call a lawyer, but don't tell your teachers or the admins about that. Make an appointment to see one immediately. Then follow his advice.

That's what I would do.

[Padraig18]

9. Very sound advice.

I second the suggestions.

[jiacinto]

10. Thanks

nt

[GoddessOfGuinness]

17. Thanks for your input...

That's basically the course I'm set up to take. I'm waiting to compose any letters to the school until after I've procured a lawyer.
I see no reason to warn them that I'm considering legal action for their failure to immediately inform me of the attack on my son.

[jiacinto]

18. Send them a letter sooner rather than later

Because if you don't send them one they will then ask you "why you didn't say anything at the time".

[VOX]

15. Good God, GOG! I am *so* very sorry this happened...

Of course, the main thing is ensuring that your son is okay.

But speaking with a lawyer is a must in this situation, definitely. There always seems to be a surplus of ineptitude on the bureaucracy's part in these situations.

Hang in there...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

19. Yup...I suspect that in filing criminal charges against them,

their lawyers may attempt to get them off by turning my son into the accused. I definitely want legal protection for him.

Thanks for your support!

[Nay]

20. I would get a lawyer's advice BEFORE I went in to talk to them.

These people are not in the least interested in your son's welfare; they are only interested in saving their own asses. And your son needs to act very smart the next two years -- sit him down with the lawyer for a talking-to as well.