“My Teen Never Gets a Break”: Parent Speaks Out About Ongoing Bullying in Bangor Schools

A concerned parent started conversation in the Slate Belt community after sharing an emotional message online about ongoing bullying affecting their teenager in the Bangor Area School District.

Posting anonymously in the Facebook group “Slate Belt Chatter,” the parent said they chose not to reveal their identity in order to protect their child from further harassment.

The post drew attention from other local parents and residents who shared their own thoughts and experoences about bullying in schools.

In the post, the parents described what they say has been a constant struggle for their teen. According to the parent, the bullying happens frequently and has had a deep emotional impact.

“My teen never gets a breal from it,” the parent wrote.

They described ongoing hurtful comments and actions directed at their child, saying the behavior seems to happen simply because other students decided to target someone.

The parents added,

“Please talk to your teens about being kind to kids in school,”
Anonymous Parent

They also warned that many parents assume their child would never be involved in bullying, but that assumption may not always reflect reality.

The parent said their teenager has been hesitant to report the situation directly to school staff, fearing the problem could become worse if other students label them a “snitch” or “tattle tail.”

Because of this concern, the parent said they have avoided naming the students involved.

Instead, they turned to the community hoping the message would reach other families. The parent wrote,

“My last hope is posting in a town Facebook group for parents to talk to their kids about being kind,” “I will do anything to get some silence for my teen for one day.”
Anonymous Parent

The post also included criticism of how bullying is sometimes handled in schools. The parent said schools often claim to have strict anti bullying policies but questioned whether those policies are truly enforced.

The parent added,

“I’m tired of schools saying they’re a no bullying policy,”
Anonymous Parent

One commenter, Kelly Horn Giamoni, said the issue is something many families recognize. She added,

Sadly…. I know this BS all too well! Actually my friend & I were talking about this today! I am not from Bangor but PenArgyl. Bullying has increasingly gotten worse with the constant availability of connection, whether be by phone, cell phone, computers, and tablets… there seems to not be enough downtime for our kiddos! Sadly enough, there are many parents who are the lead teachers to this bullying game that goes on! It happens in sports for both male and females. It’s sad that the leaders are typically the parent coaches of our kids. There are many parents who have pulled their kids out for virtual learning to keep them safe and to protect their overall wellness.
Kelly Horn Giamoni

Another commenter, Melissa Smith, offered to help find a solution and encourgaed the parent to reach out.