Thanks.

He goes to middle school next year but it's same campus, small community or perfect people...

this one isn't about child obesity though, as wildflower said above, and i was stick thin too (was haha), some kids just aren't runners. and it's encouraging bullying and low self esteem. Why doesn't the teacher use it as an opportunity to promote unity and tolerance amonst the students. There has to be a way. "Hey guys we're a team, let's cheer them on while they complete the mile. People have different strengths , how would you feel if someone was making fun of you?"

I haven't decided yet about talk to teacher or go straight to principal - who is a major B word herself. My experience with my older kids was that the principal didn't want to hear about it unless you'd already tried to work it out with the teacher to no avail. So i have a couple days to wrap my head around it.

The whole suspension / sexual harrassment thing was before you were here So don't worry it's not your memory lol. I fought the sexual harrassment charge and they agreed to not put that in his file. He was just angry - other girl knows how to push buttons too well, and he blurted out the B word. That's all - nothing sexual - he's so innocent about that stuff - he didn't even know what the term meant.

So this mountain guy I know - has kids my age - the most rough hillbilly type told me once, "C, it's your job to teach your children, it's their job to socialize them." I told my son last night, and we'll talk more today, you're a great guy and just because these people say these things about you does not make it true, kids and people can be pretty mean, so remember you know who you are and you're a good guy i love you!

On the side but related, principal asked my son a couple weeks ago to help watch out for some bullies on the bus, to speak up for a certain kid who's being teased. My son is big and has a loud voice, likes to defend the underdog. So now he's in the underdog position - who's going to speak up for him... I could go straight to principal, but if the teacher gets a backlash, he may take it out on my son worse, and he may vent to other teachers who will also take it out on my son worse.

Horrible feeling that this is a law I must send my child here daily! Homeschool not a good option, I have a 3 yr contract with selling the business, I need to be able to work.

But next year when he's in middle school, I'd like to arrange my schedule to go at least once a week and volunteer. Let the teachers and other parents see me there being involved. They won't dislike me if they get to know me, or maybe they will, but I'm really not so bad and I'm smartical and funny. And main thing, my boy will see me there, backing him up. And they let mom's who volunteer in cafeteria give their kids free food, so they get to feel all superior. But you know me, I'll bring some cash and just buy food for the kids standing there feeling left out and lonely, or too poor to buy the food they want. It'll only be a day a week prob, but i think it will help.