DEAR ABBY: I am a girl in sixth grade. My parents are divorced. At school, I'm bully target No. 1 and my grades are dropping.
I don't know how to talk to my parents, and I have been begging them to let me leave school. Can you help me? -- DESPERATE IN DALLAS
DEAR DESPERATE: I'll try. Clip this letter, show it to your parents and tell them you wrote it:
DEAR PARENTS: Your daughter is in trouble at school. That is why she begs you not to make her go -- and that should have been your first clue. You are overdue for a serious chat with your child. After that, schedule an appointment with her school principal. Most schools have policies for dealing with bullies, but they can't be implemented if the incidents go unreported. If that doesn't put an end to the problem, go to the school board -- and possibly a lawyer. The situation will not improve unless you are prepared to act on your child's behalf, so don't put it off.