Some parents are questioning the safety of their children at a Newmarket school, and the York Region District School Board's disciplinary process, after a child's arm was broken in a school yard incident.
The girl was injured when she was repeatedly hit and kicked by a boy after being pulled to the ground and losing consciousness on May 18 at Stonehaven Elementary School, according to the girl's parent, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retribution. Two other children with the girl were also attacked by the same boy.
The girl's arm was broken so badly it required surgery, the parent said.
The boy was suspended for five days following the incident.
“I’m concerned about the safety of my children and all the children at this school,” the parent said. “We are looking for more justice. We feel (a suspension) is not enough.”
Other parents are sharing their concerns about their children's safety and the school's response to the attack in a strongly worded email being circulated in the school community that was sent to NewmarketToday.
"The school cannot possibly think that a 5 day suspension is reasonable punishment for breaking a child’s bones. How can they think it is reasonable and fair to ask that student to come back to school and continue their education with the boy who beat them like that? What if it was your ... daughter?
"What message does this send to the other students and what message does send about men having these privileges over a women or young girl in this situation."
The email alleges the boy has been involved in other reported incidents that have been "escalating" each year.
"Clearly, the school and school board has failed to ensure the safety of our children," the email states.
The email highlights the fact that principals can expel a student for "committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner" under YRDSB policy, in alignment with provincial regulations.
“The principal said to me that this bodily harm is not enough to expel,” the parent of the injured girl told NewmarketToday. “It’s a major fracture of the humerus —the joints moved. The surgeons were shocked to see what has happened and (the principal) said it’s not severe enough.”
The parent said because the girl kicked the boy in self-defence, it may have influenced the decision to suspend rather than expel.
YRDSB said in an email statement it could not comment on this incident due to privacy legislation, but that thorough investigations are held under its reporting and disciplinary processes.
"While we cannot speak to individual student cases due to privacy laws, we take all such allegations very seriously and conduct thorough investigations and follow up appropriately depending on the outcome. This may include progressive discipline in accordance with board policy and provincial regulations. Students who require support or have information about incidents should speak to a trusted adult at their school or report the information through the board’s online anonymous Report It tool," the board stated.
Another parent of one of the students involved, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, said when concerns about previous incidents involving the student were raised, the administration said there is no record of them.
The parent said other parents who have raised concerns with the principal "are being shut down" and told to "go away."
The girl who was injured doesn't feel safe going to school and spends recess in the office, her parent said, so the family is considering changing schools and has been given an exemption to leave the catchment area by the superintendent.
"If I change my children’s school, what about all the other children that are there?” the parent added. “This is a very sad reality.”
They are hoping that the school and board will take further steps toward justice for their family and all the other concerned parents at Stonehaven.
