The case of the boy tormenting the girl at Silver Hill School exposes the soft underbelly of the Haverhill school administration that we have become so accustomed to and accepting of.
Like the last eight years of Republican leadership, we expect little. When we see what is going on, we turn over and push the snooze button.
Presumably a small boy is harassing, bullying, or otherwise bothering a small girl at school. The principal suggests that the boy be moved to another school. The superintendent decides otherwise. Lawyers get involved and the entire city leadership shrouds itself behind the dark cloak of the law with the usual, "I am unable to comment on this because it is a legal issue."
It never had to get this far — which is where leadership comes in.
I feel for the poor teachers who will spend so much time on this issue — they should be able to spend more time doing what they enjoy and do well. And what about the school principal, who could possibly spend an entire day on this one behavioral problem?
The problem screams for central administrative leadership, yet receives none. Perhaps this is why Silver Hill has so vigorously tried to inch away from Haverhill's central school administration via its own charter.
With what we read about and hear about in schools, it is no wonder that parents worry when they hear that their child is being ridiculed or tormented. All youngsters will eventually have to learn to deal with people like that. One day the same child may be an adult with neighbors who present similar difficulties, but it is too much to expect a 9-, 10-, 11- or 12-year-old to cope with this adequately. That's why good parenting is so critical to a child, as well as sensitive teachers.
Fear of ridicule is intense at any age. Bullies attack us because of our high or low academic ability, our appearance, our parents or even our ethnicity.
It was reported in The Eagle-Tribune that the superintendent had more pressing problems. Indeed. Hopefully, this was a simple "misspeak." However, in my experience, it is not unusual for this superintendent's office to ignore things.
Has the boy done this before? Are his parents available? Have school interventions been unsuccessful? Is this boy in need of special services? Can another school provide them? How much will an outside placement cost if the boy needs a more structured environment?
The issue screams for central administrative leadership, although it might just decide to push the snooze button, too.
Michael Veves is a freelance writer for the Haverhill Gazette and 20-year teaching veteran. His e-mail address is peartreelanestablehav@yahoo.com
