<p>Back from parents’ weekend at Choate, where of course, the Facebook incident was the topic of a lot of discussion between parents and administrators. One point that was made clear was that this was NOT a case of cyberbullying. The girls who contributed to the thread meant for it to be private. One of their accounts was “hacked” and the contents published. Of course, as the students are being reminded, everything posted on the internet is “public and permanent” and I’m sure that the girls who were expelled or suspended are sorry they ever opened a Facebook account. I would say that all of the questions and comments from the parents were supportive of the school. </p>
<p>I think that as parents looking into boarding school, it is your responsibility to check out the “culture” of a school yourself before you enroll your child. Talk to your friends!</p>
<p>As far as the Groton case goes, how tragic for the family and the school. The school’s hands are tied because they cannot defend themselves in the media. Cyberbullying as it was described has no place in any school setting, let alone a residential one. The school probably did the right thing, but who knows what the true facts of the case are? If you are interested in applying to Groton, go there and ask the questions yourself. Don’t believe everything that you read in the newspapers.</p>