by Sara Tran
In December, an unnamed student of the West York School District shared that she has been physically bullied by seven other students on her bus ride home. This situation also concerns other parents that want to protect their kids, who were bullied as well within the district. This problem could potentially lead to a lawsuit.
On January 28, dozens of parents from the area district came together for a meeting to discuss the issues of bullying and what they should do to protect their own kids, as well as other parents’ kids. The parents revealed how disgusted they felt when they heard about the brutal nature of what was being done to some students by their own classmates.
Together, the parents shared ghastly stories of what their individual children have been going through both at school and on the bus. Other parents also feared that something harmful would come upon their kids after hearing what has been reported. Rebecca Lyttle, an attorney, decided that it is now to the point where parents should take action if the school wasn’t going to do so themselves.
Lyttle deemed that they should file a lawsuit of the matter to acquire the school district to sustain their own policies regarding bullying. York Suburban Freshman, Tommy Schultheis said, “I feel that bullying is a cruel and unjust thing to do.” The school knows of the situation but they have not discussed it with the board, and because of this, parents want to take legal actions to protect their children.
The unnamed student further shared how hurt she was to the point where she attempted to commit suicide. “We should never let kids feel that they are so worthless that there is no other option, but to end their lives,” said freshman Elizabeth Heisy.
The parents believe that the school would do nothing about these issues, saying things like, “why would they do something now if they have not done something about it before?” Even though the school made a statement about how students should be safe and protected in school and on school transportations, they are not taking action against bullying when it occurs.
“Bullying has gotten worse, especially through the use of social media,” Heisy also said. This is also a reason why these parents are trying to prevent bullying issues before it gets out of hand. If the school is not going to make a move to protect their own students, the parents will then get involved, even if they are forced to take it to court.