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Feb 23, 2006 7:48 pm US/Eastern
Student: Bullying At P.S. 161 Out Of Control
Mother Of 10-Year-Old Has Had Just About Enough
BROOKLYN (CBS) ―
Malika Simmons says her 10-year-old son has suffered.
Three times in the past month, Dexter Simmons has been rushed to the emergency room after he says kids bullied him at his school, P.S. 161 in Crown Heights.
On one occasion, Dexter said the violence was criminal.
"I was in the cafeteria," he said. "I was pulled from behind and knocked unconscious."
Another time he says he was pushed down a flight of stairs, and then two weeks ago, he says he was trampled by a group of kids. And according to the local assemblyman, Dexter is not the only one being targeted.
"I've heard from 50-60 parents who say they're concerned with their child's safety," Assemblyman Karim Camara said.
"There needs to be more supervision, more personnel."
The Department of Education says it's already addressing discipline problems at this school, specifically by retraining teachers on how to enforce the discipline code, and deal with bullies and other unruly students. Parents say those lessons can't come soon enough.
"We shouldn't have to wait until something drastic happens to get some resolution," Malika Simmons said.
While Dexter didn't sustain any permanent physical injuries, his mother says the nightmares he now suffers are just as painful.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
