9970

My experience with the administration's handling of bullying was deeply disappointing. This school also lacks diversity and falls short of creating an environment where students feel safe. During the first week of my son's 2nd grade (SY 2025–26), school opened without a permanent class teacher for them. Different substitute teachers came in each day that week. This was my son's second year at Ben Lomond and during that first week he was repeatedly bullied by a boy who sat near him. This boy would hit my son on the head with a pencil and other objects. I never received a report about this. Later that week in the cafeteria, the same boy told my son and his friend that if they didn't bow to him, he would slap them. My son refused and the boy slapped him across the face in front of several children. Unfortunately, no school staff witnessed the incident. My son was scared that he confided in his older sister instead of me. After learning what happened, I immediately reported the incident to the principal, Mrs. P****, via email so there would be a documented record of both the incident and the school's response. I also provided names of student witnesses. She called the following morning and said she would investigate. Later, my son told me the principal came into the classroom and personally witnessed the same student hitting him on the head with a pencil. Despite seeing this behavior firsthand, the only action taken was moving the student to a seat closer to the teacher. After that, I never received a follow-up phone call or email, NO explanation of the investigation's findings or a plan to ensure my son's safety. I had hoped the boys would at least be placed in separate classrooms, but they remained classmates for the rest of 2nd grade and were even assigned to the same class again in 3rd grade. Later that year, the same boy brought a toy gun to school and told classmates, including my son, that it was a real gun. Although it turned out to be a toy, the incident deeply frightened some students. Only after that was he removed from the school. As a parent, I expected clear communication, and a concrete plan to protect my child after reporting about a bullying. Instead, I was left to rely on my son's account with little to no communication from the school. I ultimately withdrew my son midway through 3rd grade, and it was one of the best decisions I made for his well-being. No parent should have to wonder whether their child is truly safe at school.