Junior High bullying issues show improvement but problems remain

MARTINEZ, Calif. – Amy Scott-Slovick told the Martinez Unified School District (MUSD) Board how her son was attacked by six Martinez Junior High School (MJHS) students after being bullied all day. This in spite of him reporting it to the school office and the valiant efforts of a teacher trying to protect him and his sister.

At their Dec. 9 meeting, trustees listened quietly as she explained how the threats, name-calling, and swearing occurred during and after a Physical Education class, later escalating to a physical altercation

“He did what we have taught him to do,” Scott-Slovick remarked. “He walked over to the bully and said, ‘I don’t want to fight you. Stop!’ The other boy allegedly shoved her son, and he shoved back, according to Scott-Slovick.

There were four classes on a lunch break at the time, with one teacher preoccupied with the playground at the time, Scott-Slovick said.

Her child told the teacher and was instructed to go to the office and fill out a form. He did that and went to his next class. The bullies were in the same Special Education class, and tensions lingered as they all returned to class.

At the end of the school day, Scott-Slovick said her son told his teacher he was afraid to leave. She responded with an offer to walk him out. She then walked him, and his twin sister to the school boundary.

A short distance away, but still in view of the teacher, they began to pummel the boy as the teacher sought to intervene.

Reportedly, the teacher told Scott-Slovick’s son and daughter to run to the office, while the combatants were disbursed. She praised the teacher for trying to protect her children, but mentioned that there were other parents in the room whose children have been bullied at the Junior High School. One parent said she felt compelled to move her children to the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and is not sure if they will be returning to MUSD. Another said his child is afraid to get out of the car at MJHS.

Visibly containing her emotions, Scott-Slovick said, “There is a need for more supervision, especially at lunchtime and after school.” The board acknowledged the gravity of the experience and expressed concern, but did not indicate what they will do about it.

At the end of the meeting, Superintendent of Schools CJ Cammack remarked on past incidences at MJHS, saying changes have made to reduce it. “We take every incidence seriously,” he remarked. “I think there is a marked improvement from where we were last year.”

A few days later, Cammack confirmed that the district is following through with an investigation. “We are looking into the matter and have already been in close communication with the parent regarding this matter,” he said. Normally he would then report back to the board.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *