OPINION: Will recent student assault problem be resolved through student voice at Harwood?
April 6, 2022 | By John KerriganOn Wednesday, March 23, during the Harwood Unified Union School District School Board meeting, the Board heard from a Fayston parent whose son was assaulted by several students in a school bathroom on February 1.
During the three minutes of her allotted time, she expressed concern for the safety of her son and the well being of all students at Harwood. She remarked that since the incident, her son is uncomfortable attending school. He has done some of his lessons at home.
Recently, upon his return to Harwood, he had food thrown in his face in the cafeteria. She is so concerned that she acquired stalking orders (which the judge said aren’t given out lightly) against the assaulters.
She is upset with the Harwood principals’ lack of action. The principals were forewarned on January 31, that her son was to be “jumped the next day.”
Erika Nichols-Frazer of The Valley Reporter asked Co-Principal Megan McDonough for her reaction to the incident. McDonough replied, “Students need to fix this problem. If their peers take more initiative than the students will likely listen to them more. Over the past three months, five skilled youth facilitators have been providing dialogue and training to 50 of their peers.”
On March 23, the Harwood Board heard from Harwood junior Maisie Franke, a student council member and representative to the school board. Maisie shared the results of school-wide, hour-long student meetings that took place in individual Teaching Advisory groups. Students in all TAs were given the opportunity to express their concerns about student safety.
In her summary of the meetings, Maisie shared the communication from students. There were two main points determined by the students:
“Not all students feel safe at school. Harwood needs safe places where students can go to take a mental break, receive support and recharge.”
And this next point “came up a ton,” she said. “Teachers and admin need to enforce rules and be direct about consequences through real communication and follow through.”
When Warren board member Jonathan Young asked her if she has brought these concerns to the administration, she answered with yes. He then asked, “If the principals have indicated that there was any action they have taken and have they expressed them to you guys? (the students)” She couldn’t answer yes or no.
Think about all of the instructional time that was utilized for these TA meetings. Add to that faculty and staff time.
I would hope with all of that time and money invested in the TA meetings that the administration would take action on the students’ recommendations.
Duxbury resident John Kerrigan is a former Harwood Union High School biology teacher. He is head coach of the school's Cross Country team.