Years ago when my eldest daughter was in Grade 1, she was being bullied by two girls her age. Spoke with the teacher and the school principal. No satisfaction. So, I taught my daughter how to punch and do a good round kick. I was at least three times her weight and she got used to giving good kicks and punches that hurt, even on me. She and I went back to the teacher and I told my daughter to defend herself. I then ripped a punch at her which she side slipped. She returned a double punch to my chest and did a good round kick to my head which I blocked with an open hand. It made a loud smack sound when it connected. I asked my daughter to leave the room which she did. I agreed that whether she was or wasn't being bullied, my (and her mother's) instructions to our daughter were that if she was hit or bullied again by either or both girls, she had our permission to respond. The bullying ceased. We then took a martial art together. She later went on to fight in tournaments and win more often than not.

In high school she entered a group of kids who were teasing and being really mean towards a student who had a visible special need. She was pushed by the ring leader whom she bounced the off some lockers and the group disbursed quickly. On one other occasion a fellow who was showing off to a few of his friends placed his hand on her breast. She punched his chest, stomach and snap-kicked his groin in something under two seconds, then walked away. They are the only two times she ever got into fights. To this day she's my main music fan and I'm her main fan, period.

When schools don't handle the bullying, I think it's necessary for parents to teach the kids how to do so. The aforementioned method will not work for all people, but that's what school boards are for if schools don't take care of it.

imo