We, the undersigned, call on Teays Valley administration to actively engage with students and parents to assess the hostile environment currently in place and develop an action plan to ensure every student is safe.
Why is this important?
We, the undersigned, are shocked and disheartened with the rampant bullying and harassment happening in the Teays Valley School District. The daily reports coming home from students range from verbal abuse, cyberbullying, to physical attacks and sexual harassment. This is unacceptable!
Teachers and administrators have been made aware and nothing has changed. Either the incidents are ignored, complaints brushed aside, or the perpetrators are not dealt with seriously enough to deter future incidents. Consequently, the bullies are learning that they can act with near impunity. The victims are learning that their voices do not matter. Are these the lessons Teays Valley wants to instill in their students?
We, the undersigned, value Teays Valley School District. For many, it was a significant factor in choosing where to move. For others, there is the pull of tradition and family ties that keep them here. There are many strengths to our district. Sadly, diversity is not one of them. However, we do have students who represent marginalized groups. Students of color deserve a safe school. Neurodivergent students deserve a safe school. LGBTQ+ students deserve a safe school. Students of different religions – or no religion- deserve a safe school. Those who advocate for their fellow students deserve a safe school. There is absolutely no excuse to tolerate bullying and harassment of them!
We now call on Teays Valley administration to actively engage with students and parents to assess the hostile environment currently in place and develop an action plan to ensure every student is safe.
