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Monday, March 12, 2012

Sample Bullying Letter to Submit to School


Your Address



Your Phone Number


Date:



Principal’s Name

Name of Your Child’s School

School Address

Dear Principal:

I am the parent of ____________________________.

My child is being bullied and/or harassed in school (Explain what is happening to your child in

detail, including who was involved, what happened and when and where it happened, how many

times it has happened, any physical injuries and if applicable, who witnessed the incident.)

This bullying and/or harassment is affecting my child in the area of (list whether the harassment

and/or bullying is causing your child’s grades to slip, is causing your child to miss school, is

causing your child to need counseling, etc.).

I want this bullying and/or harassment to end. My proposed solution to this problem is (here are

some examples of solutions you can request from the school: bullying/violence prevention

programs, school therapists, guidance counselors, training of school personnel, etc.)

If your child is a special education student you should request an IEP meeting. If your

child receives a 504 plan or service agreement you should request a 504 plan or service

agreement meeting. If your child has a disability and does not have an IEP or a 504 plan

or service agreement you should request a meeting. (This request for a meeting will enable

you to tell the school what is happening)

I appreciate your assistance in this matter. Kindly respond to the concerns listed above in

writing.

Sincerely,

Your Name

cc: Superintendent

KEEP A COPY OF THIS LETTER FOR YOUR FILE.

ASD Friendly Counselng Services

ASD Friendly Counseling Services

Adults:

Russell R. Johnson PHD
1824 Murray Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA  15217
Phone:  412-422-5001

Windham & Leibovich
412.561.0411
2025 Greentree Rd. #201
Pgh PA 15220

Dr. Art Merrell
Positive Pathways LLC
226 Paul Street
Mt. Washington, PA  15211
412-894-8222

Larry Newman (teens, adults, tantrum, toileting, pain)
412.421.3720

Dr. Amanda Pelphrey
412.841.9116 (moon twp.)

Teens

Melissa M. Kuban, M.S.Ed
Psychological Associates, Inc.
4284 Route 8
Castletown Square South, Suite 201
Allison Park, PA  15101
412-486-2948

Marie Kitay                 412.369.4285
Isaly Counseling Associates
4721 McKnight Road
Suite 218 South
Pittsburgh, PA  15237

Isaly Counseling Associates
Honus Wagner Building
1 Third Avenue
Carnegie, PA 15106


Crystal Alexander Freyvogel

412.721.6521



Dan Marston

12320 Rt. 30. N. Huntingdon 15642, 724.433.5467



Aprilynn Artz (Merck Clinic)

412.235.5445

Ralph Wilps 412-825-5444, cell 412.303.8073



Mary Alice Olson  14 and up.

724.940.1730






The Stern Center

877.626.9941



Cassandra Wong, Merck Clinic, adults, teens, family, 412.235.5445



Paula Kauffman Oberly… paulakauffmanoberly@gmail.com



Family Counseling



Lisa McDonough, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Individual, Couple, and Family Psychotherapy

1380 Old Freeport road, Suite 2B

Pittsburgh, PA  15238

Phone:  412-963-9220

Fax:  412-963-9115



Alicia Bisaha, MA, NCC, LPC adults, family, teens


412.398.0658



Kathleen Reilly, Ph.D.

412.802.7000

540 N. Neville St. Pgh.15213

Bullying STEPS and LINKS


If your child is receiving special education, he or she may have additional rights.  If your child’s learning has been hindered because of bullying and/or harassment, his or her right to a Free Appropriate public education may be violated.  This is true even if the harassment and/or bullying is not focused primarily on your child’s disability.  The school district must offer your child a special education program that allows him or her to make reasonable progress towards their academic and behavioral goals.



What to do if Your Child with a Disability is Being Bullied or Harassed:



Your school district is responsible for taking reasonable steps to see that the school is safe for your child --



·        The first step is to contact the teacher to see if the problem can be resolved.



·        If the harassment is severe or the teacher is unable to fix the problem promptly, it is important to contact the school leaders such as the principal and the superintendent in writing to explain what is happening to your child.



Remember:  Always request that the district’s response to your letter be in writing and don’t forget to keep a copy of your letter for your records.  Click here to find a sample letter to write and a guide on how to document the bullying and/or harassment your child is receiving.



It is recommended that you attach the Office of Civil Rights’ letter to your letter before you give it to your school.  The Office of Civil Rights’ letter reminds school districts of the laws that prohibit bullying and disability harassment.  This letter can be found at --






In addition to your letter, you should also request your school’s anti- harassment grievance policy. (Some districts have it in the student handbook).  Once you receive the grievance policy you can file a complaint with the district concerning the harassment your child is experiencing.

If the district fails to remedy the situation, you can also send a complaint to the Division of Compliance of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  The “Complaint Form” can be found at the following website --


DOC complaints should be sent to:

Pennsylvania Department of Education
Bureau of Special Education
Division of Compliance Monitoring and Planning
333 Market Street, 7th Floor
Harrisburg, PA  17126-0333

For assistance on filing a DOC complaint, please call DRN at 215-238-8070.

Parents can also file complaints with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission at --


Parents can file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights at --


Resources Regarding Bullying and Harassment

The Education Law Center’s fact sheet on bullying and harassment can be found at –



The TASC fact sheet concerning Bullying and Harassment includes definitions, OCR Rulings, and case law on disability harassment and bullying.

For more case law on bullying and harassment, see –


·        Case law regarding bullying and disability harassment (Warwick (PA) 48 IDELR 19)

·        Chapter 15 regulations on disability discrimination and the complaint process.  (Parents should focus on Sections 15.8 and 15.10).

Chapter 15 regulations can be found at --


Websites:

For students:

For parents/teachers:

For Advocates:



February 2012 Support meeting notes

2/22/2012
 
Location:
Beaver Memorial Library
2/22/2012
6pm to 8pm


Speakers:
  • Extended School Year SUMMER CAMP for Beaver County at the Community College of Beaver County in Monaca, PA
www.ccbc.edu
John Goberish, Manager, Continuing Education
724-480-3450
Diane K, Loverich, Program Specialist
724-480-3451
This camp is possible through a partnership with several Beaver County School Districts, the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit and the Community College of Beaver County.
This is their seventh year for the program.
It is an inclusive setting with trained staff for ASD students.






  • Judy Pamer, Disability Advocate from Achieva, presented What is Your Vision For Your Child's Future?


http://achieva.info/services.jsp?pageId=2161392240601292853981536
  • ACHIEVA WEBINARS AVAILABLE ONLINE
http://achieva.info/webinars.jsp


  • SPECIFIC TOPICS DISCUSSED DURING PRESENTATION THAT HAD MORE QUESTIONS
  • SEX AND SEXUALALITY - HOW TO ADDRESS THIS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN MIND
http://achieva.info/webinars.jsp?pageId=2161392240601292430768799


  • ESY - It's More Than Summer School Presented by Amy Guthrie, ACHIEVA Disability Advocate - June 9, 2009
Each year, extended school year requires discussion with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team meetings. This presentation explains various aspects of ESY, including the criteria for eligibility, IEP goals and placement options. Read more about Amy Guthrie Length: 21 minutes


  • Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs): What Special Education Advocates Need to Know and ESY Considerations Presented by Steve C. Imber, Ph.D., President of Psychoeducational Consultants and Professor of Special Education at Rhode Island College. - June 6, 2009
Read more about Steve C. Imber Length: 1 hour, 54 minutes
  • MORE EDUCATION WEBINARS CAN BE FOUND AT
http://achieva.info/webinars.jsp?pageId=2161392240601292430768727

  • Tammy Rose, Family Partnership Support Specialist shared information on the Glade Run Lutheran Services 2012 Summer Specialized Adventures Camp. Designed for children 8 to 18 identified with moderate to high functioningnautism spectrum disorders.
Campers participate in activities to learn new skills and accomplish goals in our greenhouse, gardens, horse barn, small animals area and woodlands as well as their art room and kitchen
Two camp attending options - Also available under ESY with certain school districts
June 11 - June 29 9:00am to 3:00pm - $1000.00 a camper
July 30- August 12 9:00am to 3:00pm - $1000.00 a camper
Registration required call; 724-452-4453 ext 1236
www.gladerun.org/adventures