03/07/2024
SHARE!!!~!!!!!!!
THIS IS MY OPEN EMAIL TO THE OFFIVE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS!!!!!! cc:>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
To Whom This May Concern,
My name is Patricia Torres and I live in Shamokin Pennsylvania. That makes me a resident in Northumberland County Pennsylvania. My children, as well as the children of my community are residing in Shamokin Area School District which is located at 2000 W State St in Coal Township Pennsylvania.
I have been a resident of this community for many years, and I currently have 6 children attending our local school district. Two years ago my child and family experienced our first major case of bullying which resulted in failure to act appropriately by the district, and in some cases abuse of power by administrators in our district. My child was brutally assaulted on school grounds and we were shamed and silenced while the district set a poor example for every child in attendance. My son remained a truant for his entire 3rd and 4th 7th grade marking period with no meetings.
Not only was my child failed multiple times by the district despite any and all attempts that I made as a mother, but throughout this two year battle im disturbed by the number of children and families that have been silenced as their children have been suffering. Since the most recent incident on February 9,2024 at which time the school principal escorted my son home for his "safety" my son remained a truant. For his safety!!!
Since that most recent incident I have reached out to the Principals as well as the Superintendent. I attended a local school board meeting where myself and the children were all silenced. This school board meeting is posted live on youtube on Shamokin Areas live channel. During a meeting where my children, other children, and parents addressed our concerns, to our local school board. My concerns as well as the concerns of my children were silenced.
Fox56 local news took up our story and they ended up at that school board meeting as well. Our school superintendent did state that we did NOT have a problem within our district. Members of the school were there to take the spotlight and speak of the donuts they served the children, and how dedicated they were as employees, however they disregarded the claims children were making that were severely impacting the children's inability to learn as well as their mental health.
They offered no possible solutions since that meeting, denied my truancy meeting, and acted as though my child and his education no longer existed. I have been forced to place my child into a PA cyber school outside of the district. I know since covid that my child will not excel, and a child who has experienced the school experiences my son has, should be the last child to be isolated at home. I have my child receiving therapy, as well as being seen and evaluated for depression and anxiety as well as learning disabilities due to the depression and anxiety caused while in his home school district.
The school has banned me from being on school grounds for false allegations as a tactic they typically use to silence the parents that speak up. After myself and other parents were interviewed by Fox56 we received disturbing messages and threatening messages from school employees who were defending the integrity of their district rather than the children who attend.
Since the School board meeting there have been multiple assaults occurring daily within the halls of our school. These assaults are being recorded and the local police department is at our school daily charging our children with assault, and I say our children because two of my boys were charged after fighting back after 2 years of unheard screams!! Countless phone calls, emails, and meetings, to which all ended with no solutions.
My local magistrate told my children they needed to be held accountable and I now have fines to pay. My superintendent told me I would run out of doors to knock on. My local police officers who only respond when they see fit told me to stop wasting their time. My principal took my serious call and made it into a sexual email, and a school employee told me my kids and I will never get help because we are evil. My local state representative isn't sure how she could help, and if corruption had a county title the champion would be Northumberland. If there was a title for the most ego driven and image concerned district it would be SHAMOKIN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT.
We are sick of hearing about the covid related mental health crisis and how it has harmed our children. We are sick of hearing it starts at home! We need help! We are tired of having to pull our children from school and switch them to cyber schools for the sole purpose of their safety. These homes they claim it starts in are the homes making the ultimate sacrifices to ensure their children's education and safety as I do sitting here writing my plea to you.
Upon speaking with an advocate for the PA Family Alliance I was informed my county of NORTHUMBERLAND has reported a total of 14 bullying cases. As a mother I will dig if I have to and uncover how frequently that is reported but I can assure you that there are 14 cases of bullying on a low end weekly just in our school.
If our school is not reporting an issue to the state then how can we receive any help?If our school is watching their children leave the building failed and home in front of a computer to heal alone from bullying, how does the Child Find Law of PA allow that? Our children are being degraded, humiliated, and assaulted daily all while attempting to gain an education the state requires and mandates for them. After months, and in some cases years these children are coping only in a select amount of ways a child can process.
These children are fighting through to graduation, but then suffering and needing therapy or abusing substances. These children are dropping out and not having anyone at home to help. These children are switching to cyber school, as well as cyber therapists to cope with the aftermath. Or in many many cases, these children are showing up to school day in and day out unheard like a tiny little unpredictable human. They are unable to process emotions in a healthy way and they are unable to focus on a full day of school and their academics.
I understand sadly our school district isn't the only district who has no desire to shine light on the real issues our children are currently facing at the expense of image, but until there is accountability on all levels there will never be solutions. Until there is a full investigation into our school district and how they have handled every case they have had come through their desks, every child ignored is a child failed.
I will be forwarding this email to whomever may be a willing listening ear and to whomever could assist in becoming a part of our change. I appreciate your time in listening to this matter and this entire community would appreciate some help!!!
