BERKELEY \u2014 About 40 students at Central Regional High School staged a walkout to protest what they called a pattern of bullying in the district and a lack of effort to address it.
\nIt comes at an emotional moment for the district. A 14-year-old student died by suicide in her home last week, her father confirmed to the Asbury Park Press. Two days before, in a video reviewed by the Press, the 14-year-old can be seen being attacked by at least one other student inside the high school. Three students were suspended, the district confirmed.
\nHer father said he believes her death was in part due to bullying his child endured from other students online in the 36 hours after she was attacked.
\n\u201cShe took her life because she was so unbelievably embarrassed and they kept coming to her and attacking her (online),\u201d the father of nine said about his youngest daughter. \u201cOn TikTok, Snapchat and sending her direct messages.\u201d
\nThe Asbury Park Press does not name juveniles who die by suicide. It is not naming the father as a result.
\nAt Central Regional High School Wednesday morning, protesting students marched to the front of the school, some holding signs that read “Your silence our voice\u201d and \u201cI\u2019ve fallen victim to bullying.\u201d The crowd swelled as the morning wore on.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re here to protest the whole situation, said Grace Onello, an 18-year-old senior at the school. “No one did anything for her. And suspensions will not do anything to stop it.\u201d
\nThe students told a Press reporter bullying is a significant issue at the school and believe school officials have not done enough to remedy it.
\nThe father said the issues began on Wednesday, Feb. 2 when his daughter and her boyfriend were walking in the school\u2019s hallway and were attacked. The attack was captured on video that was later spread among students and residents on social media.
\nA copy of a 46-second video, reviewed by the Press, shows at least one student grabbing the 14-year-old, striking her with what appears to be a water bottle and knocking her to the ground. A struggle ensues and the same student appears to strike the 14-year-old several more times while her boyfriend attempts to separate them.
\nThe father confirmed his daughter was the person initially attacked in the video.
\nTwo people, appearing to be adults, break up the fight after about 15 seconds. Other students were present during the melee and at least one was filming on their phone.
\nCentral Regional Schools Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides confirmed the attack occurred and said he had seen the video. He said three students allegedly involved were suspended for \u201can extended period of time.\u201d
\n\u201cThere is no place for that in school, it is ridiculous,\u201d the superintendent said about the attack. \u201cYou are in school for one reason only and that is to learn. We take that very seriously, we have nothing to hide, we are here for the kids, we are here for the parents, the school can\u2019t do it alone.\u201d
\nThe father said he took his daughter to Berkeley Township police to file a report on the incident. Police did not respond to requests for information Tuesday.
\nThe father also said his daughter showed him videos of people taunting her and threatening her online after the attack.
\n\u201cAfter we come home she comes to me and says, \u2018Dad they posted a video of what happened and they are threatening me\u2019 and she shows me all of the videos,\u201d he said. \u201cI contacted the school and told them and showed them the video.”
\nShe was found dead on Friday, Feb. 4.
\n\u201cMy emotions are sadness and anger,\u201d said the father, adding he is considering legal action. \u201cI blame the girls and the school and the cops. I want everyone to know what happened to her, I want justice, as much attention so they can\u2019t ignore it.\u201d
\nThe school district issued a note to parents on Feb. 5, which offered \u201cgreat sadness\u201d at the \u201ctragic passing\u201d of a district student, but did not name her.
\nIt also provided information on available counseling and crisis professionals, stating \u201cplease know that you are never alone in the world and there is always support during bad times to help change things for the better.\u201d<\/p>\n
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