Saturday, May 10, 2008

Our no good, very bad week

So, Monday Joey calls me from the school to come get him. He sounds terrified. He gets home and tells me that some thug in his history class ASSumed he was laughing at him and starting throwing pens, pencils, highlighters, and books at the back of his head and then physically hit him in the back of the head. The substitute didn't notice and Joey didn't tell because if you "snitch" you are dead. Anyway, Joey came out after school to walk home (we live right behind the school) and this thug and his gang (they are part of the bloods gang, apparently) were waiting for him. That's when he went back in and called for a ride. After we were home, about an hour later, Joey's best friend shows up and says the thug told him to give Joey a message that he was going to kill him tomorrow. I flipped at that point and called the police. They took the report and told me I would have to go to the Juvenile Court to actually press charges. The next morning we got up and went and filed aggravated assault and battery charges. They couldn't do anything about the death threat since it was given to a third party and not directly to my son. My son was so traumatized by all this he began having horrible panic attacks where his body gets covered with hives and he is terrified to leave the house. I took him to a p doc and they put him on meds. Anyway, Joey had been constantly coming home and telling me things that were going on in the school. 2 people got arrested for dealing drugs, 1 got arrested for buying drugs, someone burnt down the bathroom (same kid that hit Joey), and teachers were being assaulted. I just had enough. This is supposed to be a good school district and we live in a good neighborhood. I pulled Joey out of school that day and submitted the paperwork to homeschool for the rest of this year and next. I'm terrified. I'm absolutely stinking horrible at math and Joey is brilliant and very advanced for his age. He's taking 9th grade classes. I just want to keep my boy safe though. He should not have to be dealing with this crap at 12 years old. The thug is still passing on threats to Joey through Joey's best friend (they walk the same route home). He's now threatening to spray paint our house and cars. Ugh. Okay, this is way long but I had to get it off my chest. I hope I'm doing the right thing. We are getting involved with a homeschool co-op and a homeschool support group that does social activities and whatnot. Send up a prayer that all goes well and I don't turn my child stupid.