My 9-year-old daughter attends a school where over 90% of the students are from refugee or immigrant families. Our neighborhood has a similar demographic, and while there are challenges, my kids generally do well in this environment.
Yesterday during recess, my daughter was playing basketball with her friends when a 10-year-old boy came up from behind her, pushed her to the ground, and, as she was getting up, kicked her in the head like a soccer ball. My wife went to the school to pick her up immediately. Fortunately, my daughter will recover, but she now has visible injuries: scratches on her face, a black eye, and significant swelling.
The principal assured us initially that he would handle the situation. However, later, he called both me and my wife separately, asking us to drop any charges because the boy “doesn’t understand” that what he did was wrong. I told the principal that if the school isn’t going to adequately discipline the boy, I would escalate the matter by filing a police report.
This was not a minor playground squabble or typical bullying behavior. Kicking someone in the head is violent and dangerous, and it could have caused even more serious harm. If this child truly doesn’t understand the severity of his actions, then it’s critical for him to face consequences and receive the necessary intervention. It’s not just about protecting my daughter but ensuring the safety of other kids in the future
Comments :
It’s important for this child to learn that his actions have repercussions, for his own growth and to protect others. Ignoring such behavior isn’t helpful for anyone.
While pushing someone or teasing could fall under typical schoolyard behavior, kicking someone in the head is beyond that and warrants involvement from the juvenile legal system.
Such violent behavior, especially if not understood by the child, poses a significant danger to others. Intervention is necessary to prevent future harm.
