I've never written to you before but I'm outraged at the latest "shenanigans" of the WCBOE. Apparently a young Parkside student took her life recently and they denied a moment of silence in her memory. I'm appalled and disgusted at how far they have allowed bullying to go. What will it take for a zero tolerance policy to be put into place? I can't tell you the number of parents I've spoken to who have attempted to go to the board with bullying issues only to be told nothing can be done. This is a disgrace and an outrage. Something needs to be done NOW before more lives are lost!
Signed,
A concerned Wicomico County resident
68 comments:
"Something needs to be done NOW before more lives are lost! "
Absolutely. When one tragedy like this occurs, it can spur others on who are depressed.
How terribly sad.
Maybe it's time for parents to start taken matters into their own hands!
Apparently the students were told they could not do a moment of silence do to protocol. Also they were told it would be rewarding the deceased student of suicide. How is it rewarding? I think they are rewarding the bullies that caused this.
Our son was bullied in James M. Bennett Middle School. He was beat on but teachers said they saw NOTHING. I went to the office to find out what was going on..they didnt see anything!!!! I put my son in a self defence class and informed the office he would defend himself! After that when others picked on him he would jack them up the wall and have a teacher come get them. Didn't take long for him to be left alone. He also took up for those students who were bullied. He stood up for what was right!
It is a shamed we by by law must send our children to these schools BUT they are not required to protect them while they are there.
SHAME ON ALL OF THEM. RIP the student at Parkside..needless death.
This is very sad. The schools do not address bullying in my opinion. they try to hide from it. I know this does not work in all bullying cases. But if you can give your kids the tools to fight back against the bullies even if that means they have to take physical action themselves then let them do so. I am sick and tired of good kids having to deal with the bullies and/or thugs.
There's an election coming up VOTE CHANGE
And they wonder why some people go postal .
I'm sure the B.O.E. has consulted psychiatrists regarding this issue. It's a tough situation because you want to respect the lost precious life but you don't want other kids to be inspired to do the same thing because they feel lost too. This is when the families need to sit around the kitchen table and have a conversation and not rely on the school to do it.
This is the most asinine comment I've ever read. Of course parenting starts at home and conversations need to be had BUT the schools need to start punishing the perpetrators!!
Wicomico is just like Worcester. They try to keep things hidden.
Sounds familiar with my son. Cameras are everywhere. Disgusting and so so sad
So sad! This will take much time for healing. There needs to be a hard stance by officials with regards to bullying. This should be investigated and the perpetrators at a minimum should be expelled from school.
Back in the 60s when I attended Snow Hill High School, we had a classmate commit suicide. The school provided a school bus to take those of us who wished to attend the funeral, etc. Times have certainly changed.
Is there anyway to share this young girls story with Good Morning America? The show had another story about a young boy that was bullied ending up in the hospital with a feeding tube. He was bullied in the 7th grade. I would like them to see this Joe can you help?
what happened and why
I have never wished evil on someone but to all those involved in making this decision and those that bullied this beautiful young girl you have got something bad headed your way. Plus the staff that didn't do anything. I am simply livid about this issue! I was also bullied in school a very long time ago. As a result I have had low self esteem about my self all my life.
Obama Politics are still on the system.
For the 9:45 a.m. comment, my children came home from school disgusted that the school did not hold a moment of silence in memory of this girl. Which resulted in a conversation at the table of how sad this world has become because politics hold precedent over human kindness. Being taught at home only goes so far when a child spends majority of their day in school. The post written by the mother says it all. Having the kids who bully a child enough that they seek death, should have to sit and think about their actions while watching those around them mourn their lose. Once again Wicomico County Schools protect the wrong!
There is a survey online for the parents to take for the schools and it is asking questions about bullying and children being threatened maybe all parents need to complain about what is going on supposedly the students was suppose to get this survey also which they have not yet...I already had my battle with BOE for Salisbury Middle but surely will do it again if need to..also put my child in self defense I believe in not starting the problem but if it come to you make sure you put a end to it that will stop them from trying again...
Hope this family will decide to sue PHS and the WCBOE. I hear stories almost daily about the bullying that goes on at Parkside. The school is as bad as our local media. They do everything they can to hide what really goes on.
Using school vouchers and charter schools would give control back to the parents.
The Bof Ed would rather hide the issues than address them. For years, Bennett Middle was bedlam. The bad kids practically run the school.... kids were having sex in the stairwell, fights were a daily occurrence, and teachers warned the "good" kids not to use the bathroom during the school day. All that is going on and they give the principal an award and a promotion to Mardela. Sounds like a total zero-tolerance policy to me.
When you have no punishment suspensions, expulsion and removed from the schools there will be no peace. BOE needs to be elected not appointed.
No Excuse for this. Get your children out of these heathen institutions.
Shame on Parkside High School. ALL lives matter. Her cause of death should not dictate whether there was a moment of silence. Suicide awareness and prevention should not be a taboo subject. End the stigma.
She didn't kill herself just because she was being picked on at school, but as usual all of you know how when and why everything happens. It's none of your business what really happened.
First, I am truely sorry that this was allowed to happen.
There is a solution. Stop letting you children be victims. Teach them to how and when to defend themselves. Since most civilized families dont know the first thing about fighting sign them up to learn with a local instructor.
STOP SENDING YOUR KIDS OUT INTO THE WORLD UNABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES!!!
The world is full of conflict. All day every day in every imaginable form. To pretend that it is not, or that you as a parent can do anything once your most precious gifts leave you site, is the biggest mistake you can make. Teach them to take care of themselves. We simply can be their protectors after a young age. We are their instructors after that point.
The following are things that you can do to help your child.
- Enroll in a Martial Art. The confidence that this provides alone is many times enough to allow your children to handle the problem effectively. There are many places that can help with this however, some are better than others. Not all instructors are the same. Not all learning environments are the same.
The only bad choice is to do nothing.
-Wrestling starts in this are at age 5 and runs through 12 grade. I have never meet a more focused and confident group of men or women(yes women wrestle) There are clubs in every town with a population over 8,000. Salisbury has at least 2, The Wolverines and The Fruitland Falcons. Both excellent programs in their own right. This sport will build self confidence. It will increase muscle mass. It will lower body fat. It will make the student more confident in themselves. It will toughen up anyone that makes it through a season. The practices are tough enough to challenge most athletes. They both train live situations and there is no better teacher than live wrestling.
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu(BJJ) - Like wrestling this is a form of grappling. BJJ, adds the ability to defend yourself beyond taking someone to the ground. BJJ is ground fighting and as far as I know there is no other martial art that even comes close to addressing what to do once you are on the ground. Again there are numerous gyms to choose from. In Salisbury there is only one gym that I know of that works with children, South Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
- Other Martial Arts. Yeah. I know that all of you out there are gonna say what about the other people in the area? Mitchell's, Park's, Karate etc. You can look into these. They serve their purpose and they are formidable in their own right.
- And lets not forget Boxing at Main St Gym. Hal has a kids program and I have heard nothing but good things from it. It is absolutely worth checking out.
All of these disciplines are limited in what they offer but your goal should not be to create an MMA warrior. Aside from the techniques learned that are unique to that art, all of these will teach your children better body mechanics, how to make quick and sound choices under pressure and they will help them to stay in shape.
Keep your children safe.
God Bless
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Maybe it's time for parents to start taken matters into their own hands!
November 7, 2017 at 9:08 AM
No, maybe it's time for the parents to start accepting the responsibility. They are the ones that allowed their 13 y/o child to believe it's Ok to live the life style like this, not the Wicomico County Board of Education. I can't stand the BOE so don't think I am trying to defend them, I am pointing fingers at the one(s) to blame.
Anonymous said...
There's an election coming up VOTE CHANGE
November 7, 2017 at 9:28 AM
Bwahahaha! What kind of change are you voting for Mr. Keyboard Warrior!
Anonymous said...
This is the most asinine comment I've ever read. Of course parenting starts at home and conversations need to be had BUT the schools need to start punishing the perpetrators!!
November 7, 2017 at 9:59 AM
BAMMMM!! My sentiments exactly! I just made a similar post and I hope Joe let's it go through.
Colleen Causey said...
Shame on Parkside High School. ALL lives matter. Her cause of death should not dictate whether there was a moment of silence. Suicide awareness and prevention should not be a taboo subject. End the stigma.
November 7, 2017 at 11:50 AM
STFU! You clowns have no idea what is going on but you are quick to throw the blame around.
Anonymous said...
No Excuse for this. Get your children out of these heathen institutions.
November 7, 2017 at 11:50 AM
No excuse for what? Are you sure there is truth to this statement?
When you start allowing your little ones to start dressing like Junior Antifa members then expect some kind of resistance from the normal people. You should be ashamed of yourselves for allow boys to look "girly" and girls to have "boyish" hair styles. If boys dressed like boys and girls dressed like girls then all of our lives would be much easier.
12:07, did anyone ask for more details? I certainly don't see any questions into the matter. The point is, she WAS bullied and further, she is far from the only one the WCBOE has turned their backs on. Something needs to change.
Read the post that is being shared on Facebook from this poor girl's mother. She is glad there was not a moment of silence. Give it a rest, people! Stop complaining and go do something nice for someone. Make the world a better place!
@12:48, 12:07 is absolutely correct.
This young lady's mom wrote a very touching and poignant post addressing the issue and how Parkside has handled the situation. Seems that the administration has been in constant contact and giving support to the family. She read the letter by the school before it was sent home. The family is not blaming the school. The entire blame belongs to the kids who harassed her. The blame belongs to the parents who turn a blind eye to their children's behavior.
As other commenters have stated, this situation is not what it is being portrayed to be. The mother has responded to the criticism of Parkside on FB saying that the administration and the school has been by her side since Saturday. Any and everything released or done by the school relative to her daughter's death has been done, or will be done, with her approval. As it should be.
It is not the job of our schools to raise our kids. They only attempt to deal with what comes through their doors in the best way they can. In today's PC world full of accusations of every kind of -ism there is, it is impossible to please everyone. Instances like bullying are he-said/she-said and very subjective in nature. Very difficult to prove in a court of law, and a school is no different.
Bottom line....it starts at home. In your communities. With YOUR kids. How involved are you with your school or your PTA? Do you know your children's friends and their parent(s)? Do you know if they go where they say they are going? How do you react if another parent says your child is bullying theirs? Or that they are disruptive in class? Or that they threatened another student or staff member? (oh, no, not my child!) Gone are the days of being more afraid of your parent's consequences than you were the school's!
It will take a COMMUNITY to solve this problem. The schools can not do it alone.
11:18 - that post you refer to was written by a friend of the mother, NOT the mother. The mother has written her own post.
No moment of silence? What a DISGRACEFUL way to respond to the loss of a friend. There’s NO EXCUSE for such an insult. Too bad the school can’t be charged with a crime. And the bully needs to be charged too. A young girl was put in prison recently for encouraging her boyfriend to commit suicide. Bullies should be charged as CRIMINALS like she was. I just saw on Facebook that Southside Jiu Jitsu has just started a fundraiser for their non-profit Bully Program so they can keep giving free classes to kids who are victims of bullying. Maybe people will help with that. I’m glad your son learned how to protect himself. Being a concerned parent and doing something about it is great. It tells your kids that you can still protect them without even being there. It’s obvious the school isn’t going to. It seems like the schools so-called protocols are lacking in substance.
If they don't acknowledge it, it didn't happen.
You're a freaking idiot. You don't know my family. So how can you judge me when you don't even know me
Many years ago when my daughter was in 4th grade a kid at the school bus stop would bully my daughter. I called the bully's parents. The mother thought it was a home. Saw nothing wrong. I took off work to be with my daughter and the bullying stop.
Parkside High Lead the campaign last month to spread awareness about anti bullying. We did the Positive Post-IT Campaign, School Banner, Teacher Spotlights, Spirit Days and more. Parkside High was notified by the parents that the freshman girl killed herself from an overdose of pills on Saturday.Parkside High held an emergency meeting to staff members early monday morning to notify them about the situation. Parkside High Staff And Students wore Green on Monday because she liked Turtles. Parkside Adminstration notified 1st Period Teachers to let the students know about the loss of the student and it appears to be a murder suicide, it is still under investigation. Parkside Had Extra Staff and guidance counselors to deal with students who were heart broken about the loss. The Reasoning of not doing the moment of silence was out of respect of the considerations of the Crisis Center And the Parents. The Parents came yesterday to get her belongings out her locker. This girl has always came to school with an bright smile and joy. She hasn't shown no signs of bullying or reported bullying. As A student, who knows one of her best friends said she did get into a argument with her girlfriend and broke up. WCBOE And Parkside Adminstration hasn't tried to throw this under the rug, they are waiting to get factual information to eliminate rumors and to respect of the family. Last School year, Parkside Lost another student, PHS didn't announce an moment of silence until 3 days later due to respect of the investigation and to eliminate false rumors on how that student lost there life. Parkside High has made it an issue this year to raise awareness about bullying and will continue the remainder of the year. As A Student who spoke to staff as to why they didn't have an moment of silence this what the information i was given, and i would rely it to you guys. Just wanted to get rid of the false misinterpretation in this sad situation. The Parkside RAMFAM is deeply sadden by the loss. Parkside plans to have an moment of silence soon.
Melania Trump has made bullying her theme. Contact the White House! Contact Fox News! National attention will wake up somebody.
This whole situation is very sad, prayers to her friends, teachers and family. God bless.
No child left behind. Can not suspend them. Private school is a pricy option.
There is a big problem in public schools. part of it is teachers, admin afraid to do their jobs, or not permitted to do their jobs. They try to correct a child and they are the ones in trouble and face losing their jobs etc. Just like others things going on in this country. People cant speak up and speak out without being called racist, bigot etc. Some of these kids do what ever they want without consequences because admins, teachers hands are tied. These kids run amuck now days and people are afraid of them. Its the mentality of everything going on now days. This is just another product of it. WCBOE do not care, they dont get paid enough to care, they all turn a blind eye to it to. They to are afraid to do anything. Political correctness strikes here to and these kids know they can do what ever they want and get away with it.
I am the 9:45 comment and we are a conservative family with a seriously bullied son. I worry constantly about suicide. I remember when Cape Henlopen had a series of suicides. I think it is a delicate issue and the school has to be careful. If suicide gets attention, it could seem like the answer. I don't want my son to get the idea that it is the answer!
I don't often agree with school policy but I do know that no teacher or administrator is immune to the heartache about a lost student. My heart breaks for the family and for the girl and my frustration with parents of jerks is extreme.
And what are u doing about it blow hard? Let me guess, Nothing. Now go get ur check and let people that actually work for a living discuss this.
This is a perfect example of what is wrong with the world. I try to offer another side and someone hiding behind his computer uses offensive language. If I was sitting before you as a mother of three with bullying issues surrounding my child and I had an intellectual conversation with you, would you declare my opinion "asinine"? Of course not. You would speak to me respectfully.
People are so quick to demonize others and our children follow our example.
I simply suggested that the BOE is not heartless and awful and I am sure there is a method to their madness.
my heart breaks for this little girl and all who love her.
What in the world?
Not all parenting starts at home. More than not, these bullies are bullied at home themselves. The DOJ has tied the wchools hands with protocols and laws. The schools can't do anything because too many black boys are suspended or disciplined. Considering a high part of our population is black...There are good teachers out there who agree with you 100% but they can only do so much. Believe it or not teachers ate bullied by kids as young as Kindergarten and nothing can be done. They can't even be suspended or removed from schools. This world is crazy, everyone gets offended and/or is racist for having different views. I've seen teachers and students hurt and they are removed for 29 minutes and returned. The problem kids are rewarded and the hard workers get pushed to the side because of the laws! The laws, NOT the teachers. As for the moment of silence, I understand that. I agree this shouldn't happen, it draws attention to the act and others may feel that that is how they will get heard. They have been doing other things to join in unity for this young girl who is now gone. Stop blaming teachers and start doing things yourselves. Volunteer in the schools, witness it, try to help raise awareness. Write your Government officials. Stop complaining and bkaming and start being helpful and proactive.
More people than not have been bullied and have grown into productive human beings. It's been going on forever. I agree that it's not right, but put the blame where it needs to be put. On the horrible people who bullied her.
I too have jeard nothing of bullying and that it was a relationship matter. Many people have taken their lives due to relationship matters! Please stop speaking of things you're not 100% about, it just causes m I re problems! Everyone knows there's a bullying problem but teachers who want to change things, hands are tied.
Let me start by saying, my son did not know this young lady but was terribly upset by this non moment of silence for his classmate. Someone in that school had to know what was going on with her? So why wasn't anything done with the bully(ies). Its just a crying shame that kids have to deal with all the pressure out there and NOTHING is ever done..R.I.P my dear friend
PC liberal idiots have ruined public school. Welfare brood mares, open borders. Say goodbye to the school system, country soon to follow!
Yes change there is an election in 2018. A first fully elected school board change that and you can start changing policy.
Elected Wicomico Board can change local policy, maybe -
Good luck getting people with conservatives values to run. In a few years the County will have problems getting people to run for school board. It will start out with folks running gung ho, based on change. When they run into a brick wall because, mistakenly, they believed local policy was actually State and National policy, rules and regs, interest will dwindle. Ask the other Counties who have elected BOE, who also thought an elected school board was the answer. Elected or Appointed is not much different.
In my opinion, the WCBOE does care but they have to follow the rules, which are not based local opinions. Until the State and/or National Education System start ruling with common sense our local BOE's hands are tied.
Thank you 2:23. There are numerous reasons on here by "those in the know" - who are repeating gossip and rumors, then adding their own ignorance to it. Why blogs have to post every single comment before an investigation is completed is beyond my realm of thinking. When one reads all the bs comments it is apparent 95% plus have not an inkling of what they are mouthing off about. Published False Info is a black mark against the child, her school and the Wicomico County Board of Education, without cause.
Why was the moment of silence even an issue. If people bothered to keep themselves informed, they would know what the policy was on suicide. At the point the people were running rampant demanding (on the blogs) a moment of silence, there was still an on going investigation. The Mother's statement could have been posted on here, to quell the rumors and anger. 2:23 has presented the facts (which can be verified) unlike most comments posted here. Please wait for facts before judgement is a lesson for all.
Saw a blip about this because a fire station gave the victim a memorial. Her death was because of bullying. The WCBOE doesn't take care of bullying like they should. I don't care what Obama's no suspension thing says, if a person is victimized by bullying, they should pay a punitive price for it. Heartbreaking.
I went to Bennett and was harassed by classmates. One even went to the Mall to harass me at work until the mall security threw her out. Wesco never did anything about it and his words of wisdom to me where, "Sticks & stones can break your bones but words will never hurt you."
This is what you get when snowflakes run the education system.
My son had somebody try to entice him into a fight--made comments, bully etc...when my son went to the school counselors, he was very matter of fact--" I am a black belt and will HURT this boy if he fights me, that is why I have tried to ignore him" He never had another comment from that kid again. He fortunately had the strength and presence of mind to know how to deal with it...the kids these days are so coddled, they think they can do anything they want, to the point of being responsible (at least in part--I think social media is to blame as well--but just turn it OFF)of a beautiful life tragically cut short.
Lots of media coverage on WBOC SMH.
This was OBAMA DEMS PLAN too allow black thugs bully whites and get away with because they were Oppressed 200 plus years ago.
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