To: NAACP, The Alabama State House, The Alabama State Senate, and Governor Kay Ivey
Stand Against Bullying - Be the voice for OUR Children
Since my 3rd grader has been attacked by two different bullies (physically) as a first time student at Providence Elementary School (Huntsville, AL) - the administrative staff from the School Board all the way down to the school security guard, has failed my expectations as a parent and failed my sons safety while under their supervision daily. Several Verbal bullying incidents made towards both my kids have been reported and assured it would be handled. However, since this last physical contact towards my 3rd grader from his 2nd attacker (bully) - it has led me to the police and local news (WAAF 48) due to the mediocre level of discipline given to the most recent bully.
On November 28, 2018 - my 3rd grader was sitting along the wall in the hallway of his school (PES) waiting for his assigned bus to come home. During that time, along with several other students waiting, the ONLY teacher assigned to watch these children was nowhere around when my 3rd grader was kicked in the back of his neck and slapped with an open hand by a 5th grader. Instead of going to find a teacher, my son shelled up in a corner and cried until his bus number was called. After being told that other students went to tell the assigned teacher, she STILL did nothing about it, NOR did she report the incident to the front office. The very next morning, I dropped my kids off at school just to speak with Dr. Alexander (principal) about what took place in her school the previous day. Willingly and ready (in the security office), she spoke to me to hear what concerns I had - while showing her the photos of my 3rd graders marks left on his body. Dr. Alexander then expressed to me that the teacher who was supposed to be watching them, had just told her about the incident prior to my arrival that morning. Dr. Alexander went further into assuring me that the issue would be handled thru an investigation and discipline would be given. Nothing was filed nor given to me thereafter. The investigation process was complete, according to Dr. Alexander, but whatever discipline was given - I am still unaware of.
On March 29, 2019 - my 3rd grader once again, was under attack of another bully! This time, my kids bully was his classmate. While in Art Class, my son and two other kids were attacked by their peer! Punching two other children (one in the face and one in the back) my son was punched in the shoulder, stomach, and was then stabbed in his stomach with a sharpened pencil! It was then my son had to immediately go to the nurse and be seen. I received a call from the nurse advising that my son was fine but he was involved in an incident that was being handled as we spoke - she went on to advise that my kid had been stabbed with a pencil and she advised that an ER visit was necessary just to make sure no led was left underneath the skin, since the stab broke the skin. After getting off the phone with her, I rushed to the school to receive both my kids, informing the front office not to put my kids on the bus since I was on my way. After arriving, myself and my husband met Dr. Alexander in the foyer as she proceeded to take my 3rd grader to where my 5th grader was. She stated that she needed my 3rd grader to show her where my 5th grader was and at all cost she refused to speak to me about what happened an hour before I got there. She then told me that since it happened so late in the day she did not have time to contact me and discipline would be handled on Monday (since this day was Friday). Having to wait all weekend and nurture my son as he complained about pain (around the stabbed area) not knowing what to expect on Monday since I have been lied to and never avoided before by the principal, I started to seek what my rights were as a taxpayer in this city, parent of two children in this school, and furthermore what my kids rights are. When Monday finally came - Myself, my husband, and God-sister went to the school to meet with the principal and was told an appointment had to be made to speak with her. Never having to do so before, I made the appointment and proceeded downtown Huntsville to the School Board of Education. Still being placed on hold and desiring to speak with the Superintendent, I was informed once again that an appointment had to be made to speak with her - by the one over the behavioral program. Confused and frustrated that no one would hear us out, I was given the options of filing the complaint on paper or via the school boards website. The appointment was made to speak to the superintendent of schools and to this day - she has not contacted me. After leaving the school board of education - myself, husband, and God-sister proceeded to the police department to file a report! It seemed as if the police department were the only ones who took us serious that day, but still no word as to what will happen to my child moving forward.
The very next day, myself and my God-sister went to the local news station where we were informed that...
On November 28, 2018 - my 3rd grader was sitting along the wall in the hallway of his school (PES) waiting for his assigned bus to come home. During that time, along with several other students waiting, the ONLY teacher assigned to watch these children was nowhere around when my 3rd grader was kicked in the back of his neck and slapped with an open hand by a 5th grader. Instead of going to find a teacher, my son shelled up in a corner and cried until his bus number was called. After being told that other students went to tell the assigned teacher, she STILL did nothing about it, NOR did she report the incident to the front office. The very next morning, I dropped my kids off at school just to speak with Dr. Alexander (principal) about what took place in her school the previous day. Willingly and ready (in the security office), she spoke to me to hear what concerns I had - while showing her the photos of my 3rd graders marks left on his body. Dr. Alexander then expressed to me that the teacher who was supposed to be watching them, had just told her about the incident prior to my arrival that morning. Dr. Alexander went further into assuring me that the issue would be handled thru an investigation and discipline would be given. Nothing was filed nor given to me thereafter. The investigation process was complete, according to Dr. Alexander, but whatever discipline was given - I am still unaware of.
On March 29, 2019 - my 3rd grader once again, was under attack of another bully! This time, my kids bully was his classmate. While in Art Class, my son and two other kids were attacked by their peer! Punching two other children (one in the face and one in the back) my son was punched in the shoulder, stomach, and was then stabbed in his stomach with a sharpened pencil! It was then my son had to immediately go to the nurse and be seen. I received a call from the nurse advising that my son was fine but he was involved in an incident that was being handled as we spoke - she went on to advise that my kid had been stabbed with a pencil and she advised that an ER visit was necessary just to make sure no led was left underneath the skin, since the stab broke the skin. After getting off the phone with her, I rushed to the school to receive both my kids, informing the front office not to put my kids on the bus since I was on my way. After arriving, myself and my husband met Dr. Alexander in the foyer as she proceeded to take my 3rd grader to where my 5th grader was. She stated that she needed my 3rd grader to show her where my 5th grader was and at all cost she refused to speak to me about what happened an hour before I got there. She then told me that since it happened so late in the day she did not have time to contact me and discipline would be handled on Monday (since this day was Friday). Having to wait all weekend and nurture my son as he complained about pain (around the stabbed area) not knowing what to expect on Monday since I have been lied to and never avoided before by the principal, I started to seek what my rights were as a taxpayer in this city, parent of two children in this school, and furthermore what my kids rights are. When Monday finally came - Myself, my husband, and God-sister went to the school to meet with the principal and was told an appointment had to be made to speak with her. Never having to do so before, I made the appointment and proceeded downtown Huntsville to the School Board of Education. Still being placed on hold and desiring to speak with the Superintendent, I was informed once again that an appointment had to be made to speak with her - by the one over the behavioral program. Confused and frustrated that no one would hear us out, I was given the options of filing the complaint on paper or via the school boards website. The appointment was made to speak to the superintendent of schools and to this day - she has not contacted me. After leaving the school board of education - myself, husband, and God-sister proceeded to the police department to file a report! It seemed as if the police department were the only ones who took us serious that day, but still no word as to what will happen to my child moving forward.
The very next day, myself and my God-sister went to the local news station where we were informed that...
Why is this important?
My household has been effected behind bullying and my 3rd grader is starting to become more distant than normal. We (as the parents of our 3rd grader) ask you to please sign this petition by telling others you stand AGAINST bullying!!!