Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Disturbances and a fight at Sullivan today *UPDATED

Bumped (again):
Good afternoon, everyone. I was pretty sure I wasn't going to make a post about summer school @ Sullivan High, but that changed today. I saw a couple of things. For one, this morning, when my class and I were in the cafeteria for breakfast, one of the students from our class chose to sit near a table of a bunch rough looking in-coming freshmen (why he chose to remains unanswered to me, but I think he wanted to sit by the girls). They said a bad word, which made the student say "watch your mouth!" (I guess he doesn't like when people swear). They laughed at him and looked like they were talking about him.

That personally made me angry because he's got Autism (he's not as high functioning as I am, but he is pretty smart), so he didn't deserved to be laughed at. That's just one of his habits (and it's not his fault), to tell others what to do. So, anyway, these kids started getting loud and rowdy. This pissed off a couple of the teachers who were monitoring their activities before their classes started (well, they weren't in there when the first incident happened). The kids were yelled at.

That's not all that happened today. I personally witnessed a fight between two in-coming freshmen getting broken up. I don't know if they were arrested or punished for their actions. I kind of hope they were, so that can show them our staff at Sullivan doesn't take none of that nonsense from kids. Our staff has had to break up fights the whole 2008-2009 school year, so I'm sure they're sick of it by now.

To the Sullivan staff (I know you're reading this): Please, tell these 8th graders about our Autism program. They need to know that we're not "weird" or "stupid". If these 8th graders thought they were coming to a school with no Special needs kids, they were wrong. Dead wrong. Our school consists of two Autism rooms. So, to the school staff, take the time to explain to the 8th graders about us. Better yet, to the staff, you should let them sit in on us for a day. Maybe then they'll realize that we're none of the names that we're called.

If anybody asks why I didn't say anything to these kids, it's because that's not my job. That's the staff's responsibility. I feel that my teachers would've addressed it, but I forgot to tell them (since there were like 100 things going on at once, LOL). If this happens again tomorrow, I'll tell the teachers/aides or I'll say something myself. This does not deserve to happen. These kids should be focusing on their own business/school work rather than picking on a group of disabled kids.

UPDATE, 7/15/09: Yet another incident of kids in our class being made fun of happened this morning. This time, it happened as the kids, along with myself, on my bus route were waiting for a security guard to open the door so we could come into the school. One of the kids likes to sing in Spanish, and another kid in the program likes to as well but picks up on it slowly. I guess for whatever reason, it made a girl standing nearby to say "Man, they're SLOW!" followed by something I couldn't hear. Two other girls standing with her laughed. I shot them a very nasty glare and that shut them up. I was half tempted to cuss them out, but I had three other disabled kids with me who don't need to hear any foul language. Like I said last time, the staff really needs to say something to these 8th graders (yes, they were 8th graders) who think they're "tough" or "cool" by making fun of kids with Autism. How would they like it if they had our disability and were made fun of? I'm sure they wouldn't like it one bit. I may sound whiny to some here, but this is how I feel. It just makes me so angry when disabled people are made fun of. These 8th graders need to mind their own business and focus on becoming a freshmen in high school. But, that's ok. If I see an 8th grader who has made fun of my classmates get in trouble by a staff member, I'm going to laugh at them, right in front of them, to show them how we feel when we're teased. Now, I wouldn't of care if I were by myself and they laughed at only me because I usually don't care what people think of me, but due to the fact they made fun of my classmates is what makes me mad. And my classmates (most of them) can't even defend theirselves to say anything back. They don't know how to.

UPDATE, 7/22/09: A student that has been laughing at kids in my class got what was coming to him today. At around 10:30am, he was sitting in the disciplinarian's office, arms folded and looking mad. As I walked past, I noticed him, laughed at him because he was in there and he got what was coming to him, then continued onto my business.

Thanks,
- Timmy AKA AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Timmy; You should let the staff handle it. That is what they get paid for. If you see that happen again, you should let the staff know, not the idiots causing the problem. If you get involved with it directly, the staff might take it the wrong way, or you could get hurt.

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

Yeah, I agree with you, Chicago. However, I felt (and still kind of feel) that I should get involved because I'm a member of that class and maybe they'll realize we're not stupid or to be messed with.

I don't know how many fights I've gotten into regarding this issue (at my last school). This is becoming a serious problem within Chicago Public Schools. It needs to be addressed, and urgently. And on top of it, when I had tried explaining my situation to my staff at my grammar school, they shrugged or said they didn't care. This is why I really don't like getting teachers and administrators involved in student issues. You're right that they may take it the wrong way.

As for them hurting me, they'll have to try hard to. If they succeed, I can promise that my mom would sue that school in a heartbeat.

However, since this involves a different student and not myself, I will mention it to the staff tomorrow. I don't want to defend another student unless the staff doesn't do anything about it.

Anonymous said...

I understand, Timmy... just be careful not top get yourself in trouble!

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

Ok, Chicago, thanks :-).

todd carr said...

Timmy- I have been reading you for months and have enjoyed your posts. I admire your courage and bravery.your description of lunchroom antics takes me back to my days eating cardboard cafeteria pizza. I applaud you for letting your voice be heard and demanding attention-rather than running from these foolish boys and their bully ways. You are definetely doing your part to make this a better world. Keep up the great work!

Craig Gernhardt said...

It's amazing. In one short year I've watched Timmy grow up through his writing. Timmy is one of those excellent students trying to do Sullivan proud again.

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

Thank you for your kind words, Todd. I needed that today. I feel that maybe if I'm brave and have courage, these little 8th graders can put up or shut up. I'm glad I'm going on to the 10th grade, so I can tell younger kids how it is if they do something stupid.

All too often have I ran away from this kind of stuff. Now is the time where I face it.

I also thank you for your kind words, Craig, but you should thank my sister for teaching how to write :-). And yep, I'm trying to make Sullivan good again. So I can enjoy my high school life with my friends, classmates, teachers and staff.

I live here too said...

Timmy,

A lot of people are watching/reading your commentary, and I am sure that, as I do, they all very much admire your involvement and "sticktoitivness".

You are a very impressive young man with a bright future. Keep up the good work, but be careful; there really are evil bad people out there that like to destroy others good efforts.
Be cautious but not afraid. Fear is the enemy of the "good folks". It takes involved people to confront and change the bad stuff. Those that are too fearful to stand up for THEIR rights of a cleaner, quieter, safer neighborhood just don't realize how their non-involvement enables the bad folks to run amuck.

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

Thanks, I live here too. There sure are evil people out there (I see them everyday). My hope is for good people to stand up to them and say "enough is enough".

One of the aides in my program spoke to these kids. They claimed (I wanted to bold this word, but I couldn't figure out how to do it) they never laughed at him. Yeah, right.

MadeInRogersPark said...

Timmy - you and your classmates are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and if you feel that you or anyone else is being threatened or not safe let your teacher complete an incident report.
You stand tall among many and should not be bullied by the thugs who do not want to work for anything.
I know how difficult it is.

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

MIRP, I will definately let a teacher know to do that next time. That's a great idea. Got a quick question for you about it, though. What would happen to the person who did the threatening? I'm just curious to know.

Philip McGregor Rogers said...

Dont be a sore winner Timmy
Im sure you were just inwardly laughing, im sure you arent taunting this guy.

Guys that have to make fun of people with genetic disorders
are not mentally advanced at any level themselves or just plain ignorant.

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

jeffo, I did not inwardly laugh. I actually laughed out loud, in front of him, like I said I would for any idiot who makes of my disabled peers. And I could taunt him. I could go up to him tomorrow in the cafeteria while he waits for his teacher to come get him so their class can start and keep harassing him about how he got into the disciplinarian's office, but I won't. It's not worth my time. Besides, I might hear about it from his friends or a staff member.

But I do agree with your last statement.

Anonymous said...

Good! I hope the kid learns a lesson!

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

So do I, Chicago.

ShadowGirl said...

Timmy, bullies comes in all sizes, shapes, ages, gender...they are around when you are young and believe me, they are around when you are old too... It doesn't matter if you are disabled, diseased, or in full health and as beautiful as the setting sun...there is always someone to laugh at you, anytime, anywhere any place... it is human nature.. Therefore, the best revenge is to live well and laugh at only oneself and ignore all the rest.

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

ShadowGirl, I know that they are and will continue to be around, and I'm learning to ingore them. However, it just makes me mad that they make fun of my classmates because 1) they've been probably made fun of all their life and I'm pretty sure they want it to stop, 2) they can't defend theirselves verbally, most of them anyway but I'm pretty sure they know they're being laughed at and it hurts me to see them unable to defend theirselves.

I know, I know, I should just ingore the laughing kids, but since the kids in my class mean ALOT (and I do mean alot) to me, it makes me upset when they get laughed at. Me, if I'm laughed at, I either just keep walking or I just say "you're really laughing at yourself" because they are. I really could care less who thinks what of me. The only real people I respond to if they laugh at me are adults, because they're supposed to be grown-ups and supposed to have more knowledge than a kid. They're also supposed to be "mature".

Also, didn't a certain one upstairs say that we're ALL the same? I think it's about time these "regular" kids accept us for what we are.

Philip McGregor Rogers said...

Who is this upstairs person?
Perhaps the principal?

Hmmmm.
Very interesting.

Now I understand "The people under the stairs". Thsts us.
And the Upstairs guy is the principal.

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

The upstairs person I was reffering to was God (if you believe in him). He's the one upstairs (above the clouds or however it's said).

Ryne said...

Timmy:

Enjoy your blogs, I am with the US Marshal for close to 20yrs.

Your comment "As for them hurting me, they'll have to try hard to. If they succeed, I can promise that my mom would sue that school in a heartbeat." While I understand where you coming from and admire your courage, just want to pass along to you that even some of these 8th grades can be a little crazy . While yes if these "tough punks" beat you up your mother could sue , but I would hate to see your lawsuit be successful and your in a hospital bed brain damaged.

Your a great kid, please be careful as the others blogger's mentioned yes stand up to be afraid but let the staff deal with the bad asses !

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

A positive post of the last day at Sullivan will be coming from me tomorrow. In this post, I also share my memories of this past school year. I hope you guys will enjoy it.

AvondaleLoganSquareCrimeBlotter said...

Ryne, I know this is probably a late post from me, but I haven't read this particular post since Thursday, but here goes:

I was once an 8th grader, and others that I attended school with were, as you said, crazy. But that wasn't in RP. This was in my crazy neighborhood (hate to admit, it's becoming wilder than RP). Most kids down here in Avondale (or, as some people call it, "Fightdale") got a repuation for fighting. I personally think that yes, wild the RP 8th graders/freshmen are a bit crazy, they're not as crazy as the "sweethearts" in my neighborhood.

I'm already brain damaged (due to my disablity), so how worse could it really get if these kids beat me up? I honestly don't think too much, but you never know.

The kids made it known that they're not even afraid of some of our staff. Despite what the two staff members who mointored their activites, and one of the aides from my program, told them, they still did what they did. Then again, most of our no nonsense staff members had the summer off. I can't wait until they get back in September.

The important thing now is that summer school, for my class and I, is over. I am offically on my break and I don't really care what those kids do now.

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