Teppy, that's awful. I'm so sorry. Tons of ~ma for your family.

I need some advice. Several people I have spoken to since my car accident on Friday think I should call the high school near where the accident occurred to mention the way the students behave as they are walking home from school. I used to live right near the school, so I know this wasn't a onetime thing. The students routinely dart off of the sidewalk without looking and push and jostle each other off the sidewalk as well. The girl who essentially caused my accident by darting out in front of my car, thought it was hysterically funny as she walked away. So, should I call the principal of the high school? And, if so, what should I say?

sj, would you be more comfortable writing a letter? (I'm not sure what the best way would be to present the situation in a letter, but it seems easier than a phone call. Also you have the benefit of not being interrupted by the person on the other end of the phone.)

sj, since this is typical behavior for some of these students, this isn't just you being aggrieved (not that you don't have a right to be!); it's a matter of the safety of the students. I would call or write a letter to the principal and just let them know that this dangerous behavior is going on. What they do with the information is up to them. But a kid could get hurt, goofing around like that, or cause serious damage to drivers.

sj, would you be more comfortable writing a letter? (I'm not sure what the best way would be to present the situation in a letter, but it seems easier than a phone call. Also you have the benefit of not being interrupted by the person on the other end of the phone.)

A letter would mean signing my name to it, which I'm not sure I want to do because I'm paranoid like that. I think I will probably call, but I don't know how to phrase what I want to say.

sj, since this is typical behavior for some of these students, this isn't just you being aggrieved (not that you don't have a right to be!); it's a matter of the safety of the students. I would call or write a letter to the principal and just let them know that this dangerous behavior is going on. What they do with the information is up to them. But a kid could get hurt, goofing around like that, or cause serious damage to drivers.

Yeah, that is definitely what I'm worried about. If it would just about some scratches on my car, I would care, but I could have easily hit the girl on Friday, and the woman who hit me could have lost her baby.

I agree that contacting the school would be appropriate.

I'm sorry Teppy, what an awful thing for your family to deal with.

sj, you could write or fax anonymously.

All sympathies, Teppy and family. It's a terrible, terrible thing to happen, regardless of the reason.

I think you should write or call, sj but with the understanding that nothing is likely to actually change.

It was a really upsetting situation for you and it could have proven really tragic for a few people but kids that age aren't going to care, or change, en masse. But if you can get through to even one person, that matters.

Teppy, what a sad situation. Just a really awful situation.

I got a pen-pal letter today. So that makes Letter Writer's Alliance 1 Projecting My Own Self-doubt/Loathing on others 0. She has her own impediments...a teaching job and some small children. It is just too easy to shift into Rejected headspace these days.