Pic 0: Ms. Dixon sits across from a light skinned man at a table.
Ms. Dixon: So how is everything, George?
Mr. Walker: Could be worse, can’t complain. Blew my knee out a while back, and it’s still acting up, especially on the stairs out there.
Ms. Dixon: Ouch.
Mr. Walker: Ouch is right. But hey, good excuse to make the kids carry attendance forms to the front office. What about you, how’s things?
Coach: A grey engagement meter appears at the bottom of the screen, completely filled.
Ms. Dixon decides to raise the subject and chooses the following dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: I was wondering if we could talk about a situation that’s come up with a student. Do you have a few minutes to chat?
Mr. Walker: I have nothing but time until the bell rings. What’s up?
Ms. Dixon: The student’s name is Scotty Moy, he’s in sixth grade?
Mr. Walker: Um, okay.
Ms. Dixon: He came to me the other day and reported that he’s been repeatedly harassed because of selfies he’s posted online.
Mr. Walker: Oof. Sounds rough. Sorry to hear.
Coach: Ms. Dixon did a good job sticking to what Scotty told her and keeping a neutral tone. As a result, Mr. Walker seems open to talking with her.
Ms. Dixon decides to get info and chooses the dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: Do you recall Scotty talking to you about what’s been happening to him?
Mr. Walker: Don’t think so. But, did he say he talked to me?
Ms. Dixon: Yeah, last month, during lunch? I don’t recall you saying anything to me, and, well, I was hoping to get some more information about it.
Mr. Walker: I’m not. Oh, you’re talking about, right, right. Yeah, that was, it, it was during lunch.
Ms. Dixon decides to get info and chooses the dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: Can you tell me what happened?
Mr. Walker: Right, so it’s lunch period, and I’m supervising, I’m standing near the bathrooms and he, um, he comes out and he’s upset and I say, “What’s wrong?” And he tells me that the boys weren’t letting him use the bathroom, saying if he wants to wear makeup, he should use the girl’s bathroom. Like you said, Scotty put some pictures on social media where he was wearing makeup, for whatever reason.
Ms. Dixon: And what did you say to him?
Mr. Walker: I’m trying to, um, oh, you know what it was, it was a Friday, and I uh, I told him not to worry about it, just walk away from the situation, maybe stop posting those makeup pictures, and I’d follow up. And, um, yeah, being a Friday, then the weekend, and, whoosh. Slipped by.
Ms. Dixon decides to focus on policy and chooses the dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: George, it’s important that all incidents of bullying be reported to me. So that I can follow up with the students involved, contact parents, conduct a proper investigation.
Mr. Walker: Right, but, I mean, if Scotty doesn’t want to get bullied, he could just not wear makeup. I can’t blame the boys for being a little confused about it. I am. Scotty certainly is.
Ms. Dixon: It sounds like the other boys were more than “confused.” They made Scotty feel unsafe, disrespected, and you know, unfortunately it sounds like it’s been going on for a while now. Those students have been creating a hostile environment for him, and that’s not okay.
Mr. Walker: Okay and I get that, but, can’t we just tell him to not post those makeup pictures? Or use the single stall bathroom on the first floor. Everyone wins.
Ms. Dixon decides to focus on school values and chooses the dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: Scotty likes to express himself by wearing makeup on weekends and taking pictures, and we have to respect that. Everyone, students, teachers, staff, we all have to work to create an environment where all of our students feel safe and supported.
Mr. Walker: And I get that, I do, but, fine. He can post the pictures in makeup. And while we’re at it, I’d like to wear my Halloween costume to school every day. My vampire cape, fangs, everything. Maybe the next day I’ll come dressed as a clown.
Ms. Dixon: George.
Mr. Walker: What?
Ms. Dixon: This is serious, it’s not something to joke about.
Ms. Dixon decides to focus on policy and chooses the dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: Are you aware of how this is covered under our district’s bullying policy?
Mr. Walker: Um, maybe?
Ms. Dixon: Well, Scotty is allowed to express himself as he chooses, so long as it’s not hurting anyone, and students and staff have to respect that choice. And as soon as Scotty disclosed what had been happening to him, it was your responsibility to report it to me. We’re supposed to enter it into the system within 24 hours and, I mean here we are, it’s been a month.
Mr. Walker: Okay, but, look, I didn’t know that, but, I mean, they change those regulations so often.
Ms. Dixon: These policies have been in place for a while now, George.
Mr. Walker: You know, I’m not, I don’t understand it, but, guess I don’t have to. Listen, if I see any more, um, any bullying or if I hear anything, I’ll let you know. And, look, I appreciate you coming to me instead of going straight to admin, because, honestly? I thought it was just boys being boys. My friends and I teased each other all the time in school and it could sound pretty mean, even though we were just playing. I thought I was helping with the, uh, telling him to not wear makeup, but, okay.
Ms. Dixon: Next time a student comes to you, even if you’re unsure, just talk to me about it and I’ll take it from there.
Mr. Walker: Alright, yeah. Will do. Sorry I didn’t.
Ms. Dixon decides to end the conversation and chooses the dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: Thanks for taking a few minutes to talk, George.
Mr. Walker: Yeah, sure thing. Look, I have to get to class, but um, keep me posted. Let me know how things go and if you need me to, I don’t know. Just let me know.
Ms. Dixon: Of course. Will do.