<p>I was wondering about people's experiences with bullies at boarding school. My cousin went to Hotchkiss class of '92 and says kids were teased about everything and anything. What are some typical pranks in the dorm? Do they ever get out of hand with people's feelings badly hurt? My cousin had a very unfortunate experience of being badly attacked physically by some teammates after he dropped a ball and caused the team's defeat. Do you think boarding schools do enough to stop bullying and punish the mean kids? Or is there a "kids will be kids" look-the-other-way attitude? </p>
<p>What advice would you give a student who is being harrassed? Should she tell on the bullies or would that make the situation worse? Do the teachers really care? Does anyone have a positive story about how a faculty member helped a student deal with being bullied? My sister Piper has had to endure many mean kids in elementary school over the years and her 7th grade teacher will always have a special place in my family's hearts because he reached out to her at a time when no one else would. Please share you stories and thoughts!</p>
<p>nowadays, almost all BS has strict rules on hazing. One offense is enough to get you kicked out. Funny/friendly pranks can still be pulled, but if it hurts someone physically, some's gonna be asked to leave</p>
<p>tho ive only been at a boarding school for a couple of months or so, i think that one of the things that most surprised me was how quickly rumors and other nasty things can spread, imean literally within hours (!) also, coming in at the beginning of the year always makes things easier as opposed to coming at semester, because ppl are sometimes surprisingly closed off to new ppl/new ideas, etc. </p>
<p>some of my teachers have been really really helpful to me, but dorm parents/teachers are usually the last ppl to find out about what's really been going on w/ students. :( ie, the "student advisor" its difficult to confide in someone that youve only known for a few weeks, etc. to a certain extent i do feel that my school's a bit like the "look the other way" attitude, but then again ive here for less than a semester. ^<em>^
id say the best thing would be not to let the perpetrators "get to you", and just do what you came here for- work. :) work as hard as you can, and try not to let things get you down iguess, ^</em>^</p>
<p>that any BS would not have strict rules concerning hazing strikes me as troubling at best.
And, there are boarding schools that have had major problems recently with hazing and bullying. I admit that I cannot recall which NE BS it was, but about a year or two ago there was a nasty incident involving hazing of younger girls in sexually embarassing ways. Groton had it's own scandal a few years ago as well. It's important to report any incident immediately - both to school officials and to people outside the school.</p>
<p>Milton's (which is day/boarding) scandal involved at least one younger female student and older male students. It was not hazing, but was probably at least a 'pressure situation'. St. Pauls was actually the NE BS I was thinking of in terms of girls hazing girls in a sexual way. Groton's scandal went to court and eventually Groton was found guilty of not reporting sexual abuse.</p>
<p>hmm.....I suppose it might depend.....well, I go to an allgirls school, so cattiness and behind-friend's-back gossip is pretty natural. However, respect for one another is regarded seriously. Besides friendly teasing, I wouldn't say that bullying or hazing goes on much. </p>
<p>However, I must agree that rumors and hearsay spreads faster nowhere more than at a boarding school. With a tight-knit community and people in easy access of each other, expect people to know things about you. Your past, your secrets, your pastimes. </p>
<p>A girl was recently expelled at my school, and she left during the night. By morning, people in New York knew. The entire class knew within an hour, without any official announcements. It's kind of scary, but well, prepare. Even when they try, nothing is ever hushed up. So be careful...</p>
<p>Compared to "the good old days" organized hazing is a thing of the past.
On the other hand these are very small, confined environments so rumors, gossip etc are bound to run rampant.</p>