FRIEND IS BULLIED

Dear Jellybean,

I have a friend who has been bullied through junior school and is still being teased here at secondary school, besides me and my friend, she doesn't have any other friends and finds that we're the only people she can talk to. Although at school she has the choice of talking to a teacher but feels overwhelmed and runs away from any teacher she tries to talk to to. On a few occasions she has had stuff thrown at her even if a teacher is in the classroom (every time the teacher turns their back) and now we really feel for her as it's gone passed the joke. Although everyone has their share of being bullied, this is out of hand and the only people we can tell is the teachers really. We don't know what else to do and whenever we see her crying or sitting alone we ask if she's alright and she says she's fine but we can clearly see she isn't.
-Way past the joke

Dear Way Past,

I hate to hear of the teachers turning their backs, although we all know that happens. They're not the only ones she can tell though. If she hasn't already, I think it's really important for your friend to tell her parents about this teasing. If she's scared to do that, you might offer to be there with her, to help her talk to them about it.

Teasing may seem like something everyone has to go through, but it can be really serious. Kids can develop depression, flunk out at school, or even try to commit suicide when they feel desperately picked on by their peers. Your friend's parents might not know about what's going on, or that the school they trust to take care of their kid, is ignoring her problem (or not taking it seriously enough).

Everyone deserves to learn in a safe environment, and your friend doesn't feel safe at school right now. Take this to her folks, and ask them to help you take it to the principal. Go to the principal yourself, if you think he/she will be receptive. But it might take a visit from parents to really put this on the agenda, and get this situation the attention it deserves.