DEAR EDITOR:
Something terrible happened last spring and unfortunately the
high school is determined to cover up the facts.
DEAR EDITOR:
Something terrible happened last spring and unfortunately the high school is determined to cover up the facts.
I support my child, and want to let you know that these days I have seen another side of my daughter – she is scared – very scared. She feels alone, as most of the students and teachers who know of this story are also afraid of retaliation. These days the only real learning that is occurring for my child is not to trust the process.
Since Cynthia Walker’s column was published, Alex has not been left alone – not one day. She has been falsely accused of doing something (not related to any of the “false” incidents you mentioned) and later interviewed by the school district’s lawyer without my permission. She has been so intimidated that she did not want to tell me about any of the events – not even about the inappropriate interview. She knew that I would want to get to the bottom of the matter, and in doing so I may reveal and/or name people who she must continue to work with on a daily basis.
Believe me, Mr. Taylor, I am not the kind of parent who jumps on her child’s bandwagon regardless of the situation.
Alex is the oldest of three in my household, and none of their teachers could ever say that I have been unreasonable or irrational. You see Mr. Taylor, throughout their elementary and middle school years; my kids have been called the dreaded “N” word.
Many summers I have arrived to pick up my kids from the playground only to be greeted by a red-faced playground attendant anxious to let me know that something terrible happened to my child or children that day. After a while I learned not to panic, because that terrible “thing” that seemed life or death to the attendant was simply ignorance on the part of a playmate.
I would ask what part my child had in conjuring up that much anger in his/her playmate. School principals have called me out of meetings to let me know that my kid(s) were verbally abused on the playground and that the other kid used the “N” word. This was an emergency according to school policy, but not mine. I have taught my kids to step over ignorance and be tough.
Not this time.
This time the playground is the high school and the playground attendants are the school administrators. They have let things get out of control and are no longer watching over my child.
It is worse than being called the “N” word by your playmates – it is being called a liar by an adult who never bothered to know you.
Everyday I leave my child in their care, and I now have to alert her to be cautious, make notes, and be afraid … be very afraid.
You may be pleased to know that your article was copied with a handwritten note, written by a member of the school’s administration, and placed in each and every teacher’s in box – in celebration.
Mr. Taylor, something very wrong happened at the high school and it the cover-up is continuing. My daughter is scared. After talking to her, I know you will agree that YOU OWE HER AN APOLOGY.
Today, I gave my word to Mr. Edwin Diaz when I told him I will not fight this battle publicly. I will not reveal the unfortunate details in the newspaper.
Shairon Williams, Gilroy
Submitted Wednesday, Nov. 26 to ed****@ga****.com
