‘No one deserves to be bullied,’ says mom of bullied son

Jamie Brown speaks with Royal Examiner publisher Mike McCool at the 7 am protest. Photo and video by Mark Williams, Royal Examiner.

FRONT ROYAL—Bullying recently reared its ugly head at Skyline Middle School where a family’s son reportedly experienced it firsthand, possibly even multiple times, both verbally and physically.

The family said this morning during an anti-bullying protest outside the school that charges have been filed against the alleged bullies, but they would rather see them undergo counseling or be required to conduct some sort of community service.

“I don’t want them to do time. I would like them to get counseling… or have them volunteer somewhere with someone who’s disabled so they understand the struggle. Maybe they’re just not aware,” said Jamie Brown, who headed up the protest. “I want no child bullied, not even the ones who are bullying my child. No one being bullied is acceptable. No one deserves to be bullied.”

Protesters lined the sidewalk at Skyline Middle School at 7 am.

Virginia anti-bullying laws and regulations define bullying as “any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma.” This definition also includes cyber bullying, but does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.

Justin Brown read a statement for the Royal Examiner explaining why the couple spearheaded the protest and exactly what their son has experienced. Jamie Brown first broached the issue this past weekend over the What’s Up Front Royal page on Facebook.

“Everyone deserves to go about their day without fear or worry,” said Justin Brown. “Their biggest worry should be how they will do on the next test.”

It is time for zero-tolerance bullying policies to be enforced and for those who are found accountable for bullying to be held accountable and subject to consequences, said the couple in their statement, adding that “if the system in place is falling short, then maybe it’s time for a new system.”

“Better yet,” said Justin Brown, “actually enforce the one that you have.”

A Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) representative said the district is trying to enforce its existing anti-bullying programs.

Alan Fox, spokesman for the Warren County Public Schools was also at the protest and spoke with our publisher Mike McCool.

“We are 100 percent with the families, the parents and the students,” Alan Fox, director of secondary instruction for WCPS, told Royal Examiner during the protest today. “We want our students to be safe. We want them to feel safe and we want them to be educated. So, we have the same exact goals they do, and we support what they are doing.

“We don’t want anyone to be bullied,” he added. “It’s a bad, bad thing.”

Fox said WCPS wants to reinforce its existing programs, which include prevention programs and multi-tiered behavioral supports for children who are experiencing difficulties.

“Sometimes students struggle in meeting behavior expectations,” wrote Bobby Johnston, principal at Skyline Middle School, in an Oct. 8 open letter to the community that addressed the reported bullying instances at the school.

Among several programs, Johnston said that the school provides all students with training using a social-emotional program known as Second Step, which has been utilized at Skyline Middle School for the last five years. Students regularly participate in the program throughout the school year, focusing on empathy, communication, bullying prevention, and management of their emotions, he said.

“The goal of Skyline Middle School, as this year’s motto states, is One Vision, One Team, One Community,” Johnston wrote. “We are here to help support and grow engaged, healthy children into engaged, healthy young adults who are ready for the academic challenges of high school.”

The principal added that school staff welcome a partnership with the parents “in order to form a strong community connection,” and he provided his number and email: (540) 636-0909 and bjohnston@wcps.k12.va.us.

The Brown family also appears to favor that cooperative goal.

“We have to protect our kids,” Jamie Brown told protestors standing on the sidewalk with placards this morning. “We can only do it if we come together.”

Read the letter from the Robert Johnson, Pruincipal of Skyline Middle School here.  Open Letter the Skyline Community Regarding Bullying and SMS Responses

The Royal Examiner was at the 7 am protest and spoke with the parents of the student and with Alan Fox from the Warren County Public School: