School bus and bullying what to do?

[TapselteerieO]

My dd told my Dad yesterday that a girl gets on the bus and lots of children from age 7 upwards hold their noses and say she smells. The girl is ten, should I let the school know? Or is it interfering when I have only heard about it from my dd, should I ask my dd to have a quiet chat with a teacher about it? I just feel sorry for the girl and maybe she is just accepting the nastiness?

[soggybottomflancase]

Do you know the girl in question and does she smell? Is she picked on when the children are at school? I suppose that if it's a school bus it is a school matter. Is your dd friends with her? If I was in your situation I would encourage my dd to get the girl to tell the teachers if it bothers her. Is there an adult, apart from the driver on the bus?

[TapselteerieO]

There is a chaperone on the bus, but I don't think he notices things like that. I don't know the girl, just that my dd felt worried about her, she isn't in the same class as dd. It is possible she does smell, I didn't ask dd if she did, she lives in a caravan, which could possibly mean her clothes aren't getting aired as much, if they dry them inside?

[munstersmum]

If your DD is worried then I would have a quick word with the school because it's clearly crossing a line. (Nice that your DD is caring.) You don't have to name names. Perhaps suggest a reminder to all that behaviour on the school bus is expected to be as good as in school?

[TapselteerieO]

Yes, though I do feel like naming names, because I think the kids that are doing it would get into a lot of trouble from their parents for being so mean!

[Gilberte]

Yes I think your DD ought to say something or you could write a note saying your daughter has mentioned it. Better than do nothing and let the bullies off scot-free. Yes nothing might be done but at least you will feel you said something. Does this girl have any friends or someone to sit with on the bus. Would your DD sit with her.

I hated travelling on my school bus. People ,including me, got picked on (the odd nasty comment though not to the extent above), hassled (food being flung about) etc and it wasn't a pleasant experience riding on that bus though nothing.

Why do you think the children would get into trouble. I would have thought children with parents who don't tolerate bullying wouldn't be making such comments in the first place.

Your daughter's sensitivity shows how well you've brought her up.

[TapselteerieO]

Just to update, I sent an e-mail to the headteacher, because I am not at school very often and I got a response straight away. So it will be dealt with, and hopefully the nasty behaviour will stop.

My dc love getting the school bus, especially my son, who has sn, it is not a busy bus, and I am happy for them to use it, the school usually responds very quickly when informed of bullying.