Dear Billy T and Somerville Speakup Line:
It’s going to be a long nerve-racking day. Against my better judgement I’m sending Isabella back to school today! She’s missed 2 weeks after coming forward about a boy in her class bullying her, threatening her, & physically assaulting her leaving marks on her body! She finally worked up the courage to come forward. The school did a 24 hour investigation, and said it’s his word against hers, he’s not admitting to any of it, except throwing vegetables at her. Also contacted the superintendents office, and was told this wasn’t a matter for the superintendent, but eventually met with someone who works with her, only to be told all they could do was put a safely plan in effect, which means they will keep a close watch on him, and my daughter can speak with the guidance counselor a couple times weekly!! Or option two they could transfer Isabella to another school, the victim, they want to transfer the victim who’s attended this same school since kindergarten, is a high honor roll student, & has followed the rules, does what’s asked of her on a daily basis and lives one block away.
So their plan is to keep this boy at the Argenziano school, who’s already stabbed another student with a pencil, and threatened to kill another girl in their class! They’re taking the word of a mouthy, disrespectful, rude to his teachers and fellow classmates over hers, when on several occasions another classmate and one teacher witnessed him abusing her, but was too scared to come forward during the interviews, as for the teacher, not sure if she was ever questioned!! I feel The Somerville public school system is a joke, and I don’t think they have taken any of this serious from the beginning!
So now my daughter has to be scared everyday walking into her classes, wondering if today’s going to be the day He follows through with one of his threats of stabbing her in the eyes, or if he’s going to assault her again!! Her education is very important to her, and now may suffer because she’s forced to sit in the same room with her attacker. So much for a NO BULLYING TOLERANCE!!