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BULLY BACKLASH
In your September article “Sticks and Stones,” on bullying in schools, there was some attention given to a lawsuit filed against La Jolla Country Day School by the family of a former student subsequent to disciplinary action initiated by the school.
At Country Day the safety and well being of our students is our highest priority, and we were thus concerned that an article on such an important subject presented the claims in a way that might leave readers believing the magazine was reporting on events at the school. In fact, this portion of the article addressed unsubstantiated allegations in a lawsuit filed by a family that has a disagreement with the school.
I want to assure you, emphatically, that the steps followed by school personnel were consistent with our handbook policy and historical practice. Our school prohibits bullying or any other harassing conduct among students and vigorously enforces that policy. Country Day took exactly those steps we believe best ensure that all students enjoy the chance to learn, work and play in an environment that is safe, secure, protected and supportive.
Furthermore, we actively encourage and promote diversity among our student body. As a secular institution, LJCDS does not discriminate or tolerate the disparagement of any student, parent or faculty member based on race, religion, ethnic heritage or any other characteristic.
La Jolla Country Day School is a college preparatory school with a genuinely inclusive community composed of socially and culturally diverse, dynamic and creative people. We celebrate individuality and the good character of the scholar, athlete and artist, in a supportive environment, and we continue to maintain that as the Country Day legacy.
CHRISTOPHER SCHUCK
HEAD OF SCHOOL
LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
BULLY FOR HER
Thank you for your story on the growing and often devastating issue of bullying in schools [“Sticks and Stones” by Bob Rowland, September]. My own daughter was the victim of vicious bullying when she began seventh grade at Carmel Valley Middle School. Despite all of my professional experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified professional coach and school psychologist, when faced with it on a personal level due to my daughter’s horrific experiences, it became a profound learning opportunity for me.
As a result, I developed the BFF: Be Friendship Focused anti-bullying/empowerment program geared toward preadolescent children prior to entering middle school. It seems middle school is more often a tumultuous time on many levels, which relational aggression exacerbates.
I presented at the third annual conference on “Female Bullying and Other Forms of Relational Aggression” last June in Las Vegas. I am looking forward to presenting at future statewide and local conferences. I have a lot to say on this meaningful topic that is so important to share with others. My Web site is KristineRoseGrant.com. If you go to products and press the “Power Cards” button, you will see several samples of the character-building cards my 13-year-old daughter and I designed.
KRISTINE GRANT, LMFT, CPC
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST
ENCINITAS
ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
Prior to leaving for a trip to Spain to attend the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Barcelona, I read Pat Finn’s perspective on loud Americans in restaurants while on her European vacation [“Loud Enough for You?”, September]. I would like to weigh in regarding my experience while in Spain for two weeks, driving in the north and visiting about six cities.
In Finn’s article, she castigates herself and traveling companions for being so loud in restaurants. My recent experience (like hers, wholly anecdotal) indicates this issue is not unique to Americans. At a Parador in Cardona, the beautiful view and ambience while sitting on the terrace was ruined by a group of extremely loud Italians who had no clue they were disturbing the other guests trying to enjoy the setting. Furthermore, they carried their behavior to the dining room, which was such a problem the management had to admonish them.
That experience was replicated in Pamplona, but this was due to a group of four German tourists. In Madrid, there was a similar situation in a very upscale restaurant, and these were French folks. (Yes, the very same nationality so praised by Finn for restraint.)
Clearly, this problem is not unique to Americans. This self-flagellation is getting quite tiresome with regard to “boorish Americans.” Could it possibly be that bad behavior knows no nationality or borders, and that we should get away from this tendency to assume the role of the “Ugly American”?
ROGER ACHEATEL, M.D., J.D.
POWAY
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