A group of parents in Chatham-Kent (CK) is calling for change to ensure students at all schools within the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) are safe.
A rally was held in front of Harwich Raleigh Public School in Blenheim on Monday. It was organized by Josh Huebschwerlen, who went public last week about a bullying incident involving his son.
He claimed his son was told by another student that they planned on bringing a knife to school in order to kill him.
CK police attended the school and found no knife, but Huebschwerlen explained that the student was still allowed in class. After sharing his concerns with the school's principal, Huebschwerlen was given a trespassing order.
He told CK News Today that ever since going public, parents have been reaching out to him, sharing their kids' stories.
"When we first went to social media, it was one parent and then four parents, then 12 parents, and I think we're up to 47 parents who've reached out to me," said Huebschwerlen.
After so many parents started reaching out, Huebschwerlen requested that the LKDSB hold a town hall. He stated that the school board told him parents should forward any concerns to the kids' principal, which motivated him to organize the rally.
"Why is it that everywhere I go, anywhere, there are signs saying harassment and bullying will not be tolerated, and yet we tolerate it on a daily basis?" asked Huebschwerlen.
Moving forward, he wants to see LKDSB hold staff members who refuse to take bullying, harassment, and abuse seriously accountable. Huebschwerlen wants to see new policies put in place to ensure that all claims are taken seriously and that situations like what happened to his son don't happen to any other kid.
In a statement to CK News Today, the LKDSB explained it was aware of the rally.
It said it takes all claims of bullying, harassment, and abuse seriously.
"The Board has clear policies and procedures in place to respond to such concerns, which include working directly with families, school administrators, and appropriate authorities as required. We encourage families to first bring any concerns forward to the appropriate LKDSB staff member who is best positioned to respond and to ensure the appropriate steps are followed. When concerns are raised through these channels, the Board meets with parents or guardians, reviews the information provided, and works to identify appropriate next steps in accordance with Board policy and provincial legislation," read the statement.
It added that the Board remains committed to ensuring each student feels safe and supported.
