Mom says Grade 1 daughter bullied at Trenton school

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Mom says Grade 1 daughter bullied at Trenton school

Local News

By ERNST KUGLIN, QMI AGENCY

Posted 6 hours ago

TRENTON -- It's likely not the kind of publicity the public school board was

counting on in the midst of a major anti-bullying campaign.

The campaign's theme was Be Kind To Me.

But, a Trenton mom says there's been no kindness at a local school, just

physical violence.

Veregin said her Grade 1 daughter was punched in the stomach by a

classmate at Breadner Elementary School. She said the bullying didn't stop

there.

" The school's unsafe and my daughter is living in fear. She's a good student

who's afraid to go to school, " said Veregin.

She said her daughter has been spat on by the same child who punched her and

threatened with a sharpened end of a pencil.

" Another student threatened to poke her eyes out, " said Veregin.

The Hastings and Prince School Board wrapped up its Bullying Awareness

and Prevention Week last Friday. The goal was to promote a safer learning

environment for students.

" It's also a time to raise awareness of bullying-related issue with

parents/guardians and the local community, " read a press release from the board

in the lead-up to the campaign.

But Veregin claims the school, located in the middle of the the military housing

complex at CFB Trenton, is anything but safe.

Veregin said she was kicked out of the principal's office and threatened with a

trespassing order if she press for answers.

" That's the reaction I receive when I try and raise concerns and get answers. So

much for promoting safe schools, " said Veregin.

While board officials say they are aware of the incident, they insist they are

not alowed to discuss specific details.

" We can't prevent parents from contacting the media. But we're not at liberty to

talk about specific cases involving students, " said board spokeswoman Kerry

Donnell.

Assistant superintendent Colleen DeMille said the board takes any incident of

bullying seriously, adding the incident was " thoroughly " investigated.

" A considerable amount of time was spent talking to parents, teachers and the

principal, " said DeMille. " I have expressed interest in talking to the mother

and father concerned. "

Veregin said her daughter is in a classroom with autistic children " who aren't

controlled " owing to a lack of educational assistants.

At one point, Veregin was so concerned with the safety of her daughter, she

phoned CFB Trenton Military Police.

" They actually took my daughter out of the classroom, " she said.

Veregin said she was told by the principal not to talk directly to teachers, or

other parents. She also said her daughter's teacher will only talk to her in

front of the principal.

" Other parents have complained about their children getting kicked and

scratched, " she said.

Veregin said she phoned DeMille " four times " before her calls were returned.

" She (DeMille) actually suggested that I work on my relationship with the

principal ... that I should deal with a counsellor, " said Veregin. " It wasn't

actually addressing the issue of continuous bullying. "

DeMille repeated that she was not prepared to discuss specific cases with the

media.

On another occasion, Veregin said, she sent her daughter to school with money to

pay for pizza and ice cream, only to have the " money bullied " away by another

student.

Veregin calls herself a good parent, one who wants to help make Breadner a

better school. She has volunteered at school activities and sat on the parent

council.

She offered to make 150 Halloween cupcakes, in an effort to raise money for the

school.

" My daughter loves school. She doesn't understand why she has to go through

this. She doesn't understand how people or why people can be so mean, " said

Veregin.

DeMille said incidents of bullying, either repeated aggressive behaviour or

physical threats, even if they are a one-time incident, are taken very

seriously.

Donnell added the board uses a progressive disciplinary approach instead of

traditional punitive methods such as suspension. The idea, she said, is to keep

children in school.

DeMille said educating students about bullying is paramount for school safety.

" We help students become strong advocates for themselves and how to treat each

other well. Our role is to help students learn what is appropriate, " she said.

Veregin said she isn't interested in damage control.

" I just want my child to be safe, " she said.

DeMille said the board is still " engaged " in the investigation and is

determining the consequences and examining ways of protecting the student.

Article ID# 2865001