You are not a nice person.

Darkling - here and here started in on Sweetie again today. Another boy waited until Sweetie left the room, turned to Darkling and said "You're mean. You are not a nice person."

I hope that resonates in Darkling's heartless soul for a very long time. But I doubt it.

Many a truth is said in sarcasm

I wrote about the darkling jackal and said he had no heart. I was, of course, being sarcastic.

I was apparently telling the truth. Today the class was talking about someone who OD'd and was rushed to the hospital. It was said several times that she may not make it. (She, name unknown, is unknown to the members of the class)

Darkling listened for awhile then said "Her family should hurry up and divide her belongings." Stunned faces turned toward him. "What? You said she wouldn't make it. I wonder if she left any money and who gets it."

I repeat: she was unknown to anyone in the class. It isn't as if Darkling would profit from her death.

On a positive note, one of my other (normal) students managed to get some work out of sweetie. It only took a little bribe. I am proud.

Need Advice

I teach a handicapped boy. What the handicap is, is irrelevant. He is really sweet and likes to get up and dance. And normally, I don't care. But I am aware that there is a big difference between laughing with someone and laughing at them.

There are two jackals in this class. It is obvious they were born handicapped as well (no hearts) and prod Sweetie into dancing so they can laugh at him.

Sweetie doesn't see that it is bullying (for which I am grateful). Talking to the jackals does no good as, like most bullies, they twist what you are saying and make what they are doing sound so reasonable. (I talked with a couple of the other kids, ones I know will work with Sweetie and help him - they agree with my assessment. The jackals only help themselves.)

None of the moms will be any help.

Sweetie's lives in the Valley of Denial.

One jackal's mom is a handwringer. The other will attack you if you suggest her DARLING boy did ANYTHING less than perfection. (I mistyped Darling as Darkling - it is closer to the truth.) I will not miss either jackal when this year is over.

I feel like I should write the jackals up - but I cannot see how to do this as they are not overt in anything that they do. I don't want to rock Sweetie's boat.

The jackals are so good they don't even use vocabulary that will let me get them under the radar.

Ideas?