Bullied to Death? School Responds: Join the Live Chat
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Tonight on 360°, a Massachusetts school accused of not doing enough to stop bullying. The DA says the bullying led 15-year-old Phoebe Prince to kill herself. Tonight the Superintendent of South Hadley Schools responds. He speaks out in a prime-time exclusive. Plus, we continue our special investigation on the Church of Scientology.
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I wonder if her recent move to the US might have had anything to do with an underlying depression...a new country, new friends...a lot for any teen to adjust to and then to be bullied on top of that...
charging the students for her death isn't right,,where were her parents during this time? they obviously didn't communicate with their daughter as they should have
Why is nobody blaming the parents of the children doing the bullying? Schools can't be responsible for everything.
Cassy in Chicago... I do a girls empowerment group and yes I am finding that once the bully know they can't get away with bullying someone they move on. It is important for teachers and administrators to pay attention to the signs and nip them in the bud when they first see them. Many times it is shrugged off as just kid-play. Also, the staff and administration need to have a strict policy developed and implemented so that students know that bullying will not be tolerated!
Are you quite sure both her parents moved here with her? I think I read somewhere that her dad stayed behind in Ireland. Not sure if Phoebe Prince might have been dealing with other issues and the bullying pushed her over the edge.
I was bullied relentlessly 30 years ago. I thought of sucicide constantly. I even made one attempt. The bully concept is nothing more than a lynchmob mentality. May this poor soul rest in peace and may the people responsible be made to stand trial for what they have done. May the school district also be held culpable.
People should also be aware that teachers and faculty often join in the bullying.
The school district is criminally liable, i believe.
It is obvious that the superintendent is lying. He can barely keep track of the conversation between you two, resulting in him "flip flopping" on his story. Its a shame that faculty and staff are now displaying working for money rather than helping children.
Good evening Anderson, Isabel, Emily, Starr, Megan, everyone.
There is a discrepancy btwn the district attorney's rept that says bullying was occurring in October and the school district principal's investigation that puts the start in Jan. Were they any notes repts from faculty prior to January?
Is there an ongoing bullying problem at this school?
Excellent questioning.....of course they knew about it earlier than 1 week....Thanks for asking what we´d want to ask....
any consequences for the school officials who had knowledge of Ms. Phoebe being bullied? They should be given consequences. All schools should have training on Bullying.
I was bullied and harassed from 7-12 grades because I was gay. Not only mental, but also physical as well. After one incident, my parents and I went to the principal and told him what happened. After disciplining those responsible, those same students threatened my life. After this, I never went to the school authorities again. I don't know how I survived those 6 years, but I did, although I am still haunted by nightmares, 12 years after graduating. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, wake up America, and see the devastation being wrought on our youth by bullies.
Thank you for keeping this story alive! Justice for Phoebe
Last year my daughter was bullied so badly (including cyber bullying) that I decided to homeschool her this year because I was seriously concerned about just this kind of tragedy. It's a shame that the children being bullied are the ones who suffer while the bullies get away with it.
If the school was unaware of the bullying then the faculty are at fault for not reporting what they witness. If they were aware even a week before her death and didn't discipline the students then again they are responsible.
Anderson, I firmly believe this guy gus sayer is not telling the truth...
stop squirming man and answer the questions.
What excuse did those faculty members give for not reporting those incidents?
The school is simply following their attorney's advise, say nothing, deny everything, look shocked. Multiple students knew the harassment was ongoing and teachers certainly knew about it.
Internal investigations are never honest. They will always try to protect themselves.
The administration need to learn to stop treating students by their "cliques" and actually care about them no matter what. Then maybe students will actually ask for help from the administration.
These school administrators are horrible people!
A student kills herself because her classmates bullied her, and they just shrug their shoulders and say they had no idea??
I'm absolutely infuriated that these people aren't being held accountable.
I think they knew...but they don't want to admit it because then they would be liable! The teachers see it going on but many times don't say anything.
Anderson is trying to get to the bottom of this story.
Good questions.
Go, Anderson! Keeping it honest!
What kind of investigation is that having the school investigate itself?
Peter Marks,
Yes, They are suing against at school.. I think so they were so wrong thing to do without prevent help Phoebe.... I agree with your question... Good point.
what happened the kids who were involved? where are they now?
Good evening everyone!!!
Anderson, I did a group on Bullying with our inpatient children today and discussed the current incident with Ms. Phoebe's suicide. Most the kids talked about being bullied at their schools and most stated that even when reported with school officials, not much was done to stop it. One kid said that the person who was bullying her stop bothering her when she finally stood up for herself, but noticed that the bully moved on to another kid in school. If this is truly going on in our schools, then we need to do something about this.
The girls were jealous of Phoebe.
"Thank You, Anderson! I understand more fully now!"
Life coping schools need to be taught at home as early as possible to your children. Schools rarely teach life coping skills and adults that reach their senior years have a wealth of advise on life coping skills.
Good evening everyone. Good to be with all of you. I'm very interested in seeing where the Scientology story goes. And the bullying story and follow ups are extremely important and could literally save lives. Keep it up. People pay attention to this show and respect it so I hope some real progress can be made with schools, students, and parents.
Put yourself in the shoes of those kids and place yourself in there surroundings and then you will have the answer .
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So tragic about Pheobe! Something must be done.
Hi Anderson, What excuse did the school make for why these particular incidents of bullying were not reported until after Phoebe's death?
Keeping Them Honest: schools have to take a more active role in relation to children
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I wonder if the family is going to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the school district and the pricipal of the school as they are partially responsible for her death by not following and enforcing their own policy against bullying even though they didn't commit any criminal act by their failure to do so. The civil penalty may be harsh against the school district and the principal and possibly individually against the individuals themselves apart from their association with either the school district or the school were the parents to file individual lawsuits against the individuals. The children at the school must be devistated as this was a very tragic event and I suspect some of them will need therapy as they some will not be able to cope with it without help.
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