As a parent we do our best to protect our children, but they also need to have the right to protect themselves as well !!! The zero tolerance policy, research shows is NOT working! The victim and the bully both being punished is unfair, unjust and proves nothing except relieve the bully of the consequences of their choices. I would like to be a apart of changing that. How? By petitioning and having a voice in advocating for children who are being bullied to have the chance, the right, to stand their ground (as an adult would be able to) and to be able to use reasonable force to defend themselves  or others, even if they could have run away instead. Telling a teacher does not and is not working ! The notion of doing so makes the victim more vulnerable to a bully and others. Snitching is okay when someone’s at risk or when there’s imminent danger and that is what we should be teaching our children as well as other children who think it’s ok to retaliate even more-so when called out on their unacceptable behavior!!!

If your child has ever been bullied, I know you understand to the point of heartbreak and worry! For those whose kids had never been bullied, be thankful and think about it as “ what if it were my son/daughter and how you would feel.” Please never say never because shamefully I did. I thought this would never happen to my child! 
I plea for everyone to assist in making a change! Give our children the chance to a rightful claim of self defense and stand up for themselves; not wait until they are done being beat up or pushed around to go tell a teacher when excessive damage could be done in the meantime. 
I do believe two wrongs don’t make a right and I also believe that violence isn’t the answer. However, when violence is inflicted, would you stand there and take it before you could find help?! Or not assist someone who is being beat up on while “jokingly” telling another kid they should kill themselves? We need to stand up to bullying and yes by teaching it is wrong, but bullies already know that, but also by giving the victims a chance to defend themselves and be heard before getting the same punishment as the bully ! 
I urge-fully beget that you assist in advocating for this necessary change for the sake of our children.