By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
CAYUGA—Two parents of students attending Cayuga Secondary School (CSS) are not happy with the school’s decision following an incident where they claim their children were antagonized into a physical altercation involving multiple students.
The parents spoke to The Press about the incident, under the condition of anonymity. To differentiate between them, we have assigned them the names Jane and Marie.
Jane says the problem started because “one kid started a rumour that my kid called another kid a p***y,” and that boy and several others approached her son at lunchtime, where a verbal altercation between the boy and her son took place. She said her kids were upset that evening, but she assured them it would blow over.
“That following day my kids were again sitting outside under the tree and these kids approached them.… One kid started kicking (my son’s) bag around. The kid that started kicking it was in Grade 10.… My son pushed him, which I have video of. The kid grabs my kid and whips him.”
Jane sent The Press videos of the incident partially captured on cell phones of those nearby. The videos begin with a group of boys off-screen who can be heard demanding an apology from her son. He says no, and a female student tries to defend him verbally, with another voice off camera telling her to “shut up s**t, b****h.” Another video shows her son being flung forward after he pushed the other student, who is then shown aggressively approaching him. The video ends abruptly with the two face to face.
Jane said that the sister of one of her son’s friends then came to his defense, pushing the student back and then getting pushed herself by others in the crowd. From there, a handful of students became entangled in a physical altercation.
Marie is mother to the female student who intervened. She explained, “The day of the altercation … she was rushed to hospital with a concussion and bruised ribs as a result of the injuries she sustained after a male student attacked her from behind, threw her down, and got on top of her as he repeatedly punched her head, chest, and ribs, as she tried to break up the altercation.”
Jane said her son was given a three-day suspension for his role in the incident, something she is furious about: “That pissed me off, because one, it’s not a physical altercation he wanted to be in or put himself in.”
She said that two of the boys involved in approaching her son, one who was demanding an apology and the student who flung her son, received one- and three-day suspensions respectively, while Marie’s daughter received a 19-day suspension.
“I want to know why, and how,” said Jane on her frustration with the school’s decision.
Marie called the school’s investigation into the incident “below average.”
She continued, “They were quick hush the situation down; kids who premeditated this assault were given the minimum disciplinary action and that’s if they were given any at all…. How can we trust that these students who premeditated this attack have learned anything from their actions when there was not proper disciplinary action given? This leaves the door wide open for them to believe they have done nothing wrong, that this behaviour is acceptable…. I am truly repulsed at how the school has handled this situation.”
Jane said she sat down with the principal and was told the situation would be handled, but that the school’s video cameras did not adequately capture the incident. She said she showed the principal a video she had obtained from a student in her son’s class, in which a student said he was going to beat her son up when he returned to class, but felt the principal was more concerned about who shot the video rather than its contents.
The Haldimand Press reached out to the Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB) for some information related to its bullying policy. While neither the school nor the board could comment on the specifics of this incident due to their privacy policy, GEDSB Communications and Community Relations Manager Dave Smouter provided a general statement.
“We strive to create school environments where there is open communication, where students report concerns to teachers, and parents bring their concerns to staff. We have extensive bullying-related resources on our website, which include messaging, learning, and support that staff provide students around bullying and bullying prevention. There are also resources for parents to help them support their child.”
Smouter listed some of the Board’s policies aimed at providing a safe environment and said GEDSB is committed to providing a “safe, inclusive, and positive space for all students and staff. Our school communities are places where all students and staff need to be respected, welcomed, nurtured, engaged, and encouraged. We do not condone bullying, and it will not be accepted on school property, on school buses, or in any other circumstances.”
“Communication is key in addressing disciplinary situations. Administrators will be in communication with students and parents and caregivers as any disciplinary situation unfolds, gathering information, sharing ideas, articulating expectations, and explaining impacts as necessary,” said Smouter. “If parents or caregivers have concerns about the decisions of administrators, there is a process for appeal, including consulting with the relevant Superintendent of Education or staff from our Safe Schools team. Parents or caregivers can access these resources through their school.”
He added that GEDSB keeps records on suspensions and expulsions and that bullying issues are typically addressed at the school level with “progressive discipline” being implemented as appropriate.
“Bullying happens among all ages and groups of people, so there is an ongoing need to continue to educate children, families, and communities about bullying, and address it in the context of relationships with and between individuals, and in collaboration with families,” concluded Smouter. “Our privacy obligations prevent us from commenting on any specific situation. We also can’t share information on any disciplinary actions with parents or caregivers, except as it relates to their own children.”
In spite of the Board’s good intentions and bullying policy, Jane and Marie remain frustrated by CSS’ handling of the incident and concerned for the wellbeing and safety of their children.
