Patrick is suspended from his before and after school program for 4 days. He's lucky he wasn't expelled because he'd been warned, but the director decided to just suspend. Thank God. I don't know what I'd do if he was kicked out.
So here's what happened. The kids were playing a game similar to dodge ball and Patrick got upset because it was supposed to be his turn. He felt helpless and so pushed the other boy down. He was made to sit out but he was really angry. He hit the wall several times and kicked the table.
About 15 minutes later the counselors heard a really loud scream. Patrick took down the kid who screamed and almost broke his arm.
Patrick's explanation was the other boy had screamed in his ear and scratched him twice in the belly. At the time I said that my problem was how he himself had acted and the director and I had a long talk with him.
He's grounded for 2 days, which may not sound like much but he has to stay in his room. He doesn't normally spend time in there but he hates being grounded. He will also be visiting his therapist.
I've been thinking, though, about what the other boy did. If Patrick was scratched twice on his belly along with a loud scream in the ear, was he bullied first? The other boy is an antagonist anyway. He did something to Patrick whether you want to label it general rough housing or attacking. Even if Patrick wasn't already upset about the game, he would have reacted in some way although I pray not as violently. I'd really like to see if there's video in that room.
I'd also like to reiterate to the director that from now on I'd like the counselor to referee the game instead of sitting off to the side in her own world. You have 1st through 5th graders playing a game where you throw a ball at each other. Some of them throw waaaay too hard. Luckily my kid doesn't throw well so we should be ok there.
Patrick is worried about attending middle school because he doesn't want to be bullied. Did this factor in to his reaction? Does he have some deep anger issues because he hasn't seen his dad in 6 years?
Comments are welcome. I'm going to go find some chocolate.
