What the ????

Hey guys I need advice on the best approach for a serious issue we just discovered. The other day when our 8 yr old had dance I noticed he had many dark spots on his legs and kinda brushed it off as him being dirty from playing outside and not having had a bath. Well today at dance camp I realized he had bruises. Not only did he have bruises, but he had more bruises then he had a few days ago. To make sure they were what I thought I called him off the dance floor and was horrified and shocked that his legs are COVERED in huge and small bruises. The front, back, sides, everywhere. When I mentioned this to the director she mentioned something about being bullied at school. At first I defended the school as our principal is an anal micro-managing gotta know everything kind of person and figured that if it really were happening like she said I hopefully would know something about this.

After his class I pulled him into the office had him remove his shirt and he not only has bruises on his legs but back, hip, arms, and one on his face. HOW could I not notice??? It does help me to know that the PTA treasure has not noticed him being covered in bruises either and she has been at my house or seen the children everyday for the past couple weeks. But still regardless of how crazy busy I have been as his mother I should have known. Also it should not matter that this child has a difficult time expressing his thoughts, one would think if a child is getting bruises at school one would investigate.

Right now I am really torn between anger between the school and myself for not seeing any signs before now. I have emailed the principal requesting a meeting with her concerning this matter on Monday and will not accept her delaying meeting with me as this is NOT a PTA but a parent/student/safety matter. Is there anything else I need to do. The pictures I have taken show just a few of the bruises. He has over a dozen bruises on his body and has a very difficult time expressing himself especially when frustrated.

I know I need to come across as assertive, but not obnoxious as I am the PTA president. But most important I am the parent of a child very close to being placed on an IEP. What else do I need to do, not do, make sure I do? Does that make sense? Right now I am just so ticked off that this has happened to my son.

Most of the bruises are shown in these pictures.


This picture the swollen bruise can be seen (apparently that one is from a monkey bar?) but there are many other small bruises inclucing around the ankles.