BROKEN ARROW — A group of students and parents are speaking out about bullying concerns going unaddressed at the Broken Arrow Freshman Academy.
“It is borderline criminal,” Rory Morrell said. “I’ve only been to school in person maybe once this entire semester because of the harassment.”
Morrell has received death threats and been called homophobic slurs for several years, and classmates have thrown items ranging in size from thumbtacks to apples at Morrell on campus.
Despite the repeated incidents, Morrell’s request to transfer at the end of the first semester to Broken Arrow Virtual Academy was denied and attempts to schedule an appointment with a school-based counselor were greeted with a months-long wait list, Morrell and a family member said.
“I’m numb to it now because it happens almost daily,” Morrell said.
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Morrell and other students said they made multiple attempts to reach out to school leaders about their concerns and to offer possible solutions, such as bringing in parent volunteers to help monitor the hallways and cafeterias and starting a club to give students a place to talk about mental health issues with each other. However, those outreach efforts were ignored, they said.
A friend’s suicide on Feb. 1 was the final straw, prompting student-led peaceful protests Thursday and Friday. Students carried signs and wore homemade shirts reading “End bullying.”
After the protest moved outside to a nearby sidewalk, passersby hurled slurs, obscene gestures and, in one instance, a full soda bottle at the participants, according to the students.
Because the protest lasted for more than one class period, Morrell was suspended from school for three days for skipping class, the student and an adult family member said.
Cadence Mosinski was also among the students who protested outside the Freshman Academy on Thursday and Friday. Although she was not suspended, she is also facing potential disciplinary action for her participation, she said.
She said she has been called names and, like Morrell, has had things thrown at her at school in front of district employees without any students or adults intervening. Although the incidents were reported, she said she was never apprised of any follow up actions by school leaders.
“They don’t really care how this makes us feel,” she said.
The lack of communication and follow up from reported incidents has Melissa Kimmel concerned, as well, both for her own children and for the students doing the bullying.
A parent of two Broken Arrow students, Kimmel said she has reached out to school officials multiple times over the years about other students bullying her child, Indigo. The freshman first received death threats from other students in middle school via text message and is still subjected to harassment by his peers.
“It just feels like there is no leadership,” she said. “They’re not taking us seriously.”
Broken Arrow Public Schools Superintendent Chuck Perry released an open letter on Friday, listing the resources available to students through the district and calling on students to share their concerns with school leaders.
In response to questions about the specific issues raised by Morrell, Mosinski and the Kimmels, the district issued the following statement via email Monday evening:
“Broken Arrow Public Schools is committed to providing a safe learning environment where every student can reach their highest potential. Bullying has no place in any of our schools, and we encourage any students or parents who have knowledge of any instances of bullying to contact their site principal or anonymously complete the online form found on the district website.
“We have had many conversations with students and parents the past several days and will be addressing their concerns that have been brought to our attention. With every report we receive, we conduct a thorough, fair, and consistent investigation and take the necessary actions.”
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15 signs your child is affected by bullying and what you can do about it
Changes in eating habits
Be on the lookout for changes in eating habits, such as suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they didn't eat lunch from stress or social pressure.
Declining grades or loss of interest in school work
If a previously studious, interested student starts showing loss of interest in schoolwork or stops wanting to go to school, or if their grades begin declining noticeably, that could be a sign of bullying. Loss of focus is a common result of worry or anxiety.
Self-destructive behavior
Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide should always be taken seriously. Even if the underlying cause is something other than bullying, if you notice these signs seek help. If someone is thinking of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem
This may be one of the more difficult indicators to notice since it's more internal, but if your child is showing a drop in self esteem or feelings of helplessness in what they say or how they act, it could be a sign that something — or someone — is troubling them.
Feeling or faking sickness, headaches and stomach aches
Frequent headaches or stomach aches are be one of the body's ways of exhibiting unusual amounts of stress. Also, frequently feeling sick (or faking sickness) to avoid going to school or social situations is another signal that something is wrong.
Unexplained injuries
If your child comes home with unexplained injuries, scrapes or bruises, it could be due to bullying.
Lost or destroyed clothing, books, or other belongings
There are many different forms of bullying, from verbal to social to physical to a mix of each. Items like books, electronics, jewelry, or clothing that go mysteriously missing — or are damaged or destroyed — are an indicator that something is going on.
Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
Like illness or stomach aches, difficulty sleeping and/or persistent nightmares is a clue that something has shifted in the victim's life and should be addressed.
Avoidance of social situations or sudden loss of friends
Another common marker of bullying is the victim suddenly spending much more time alone. Avoiding social events like games or turning down opportunities to hang out with friends when those weren't behaviors before is a clue that it's time to talk.
What you can do
There are many reasons why a child might not tell an adult they're being bullied — feelings of helplessness and isolation, fear of backlash, not wanting to feel helpless or rejected by their peers. If you can, first talk to the child. If they're being bullied in school, reach out to a teacher, or the principal or school counselor. A local counselor or mental health services can also be contacted if someone is acting differently than normal, like always seeming sad or anxious or unable to complete standard tasks. If there is immediate risk of harm, call 911.
Signs that your child is bullying: Getting into fights
This can include physical or verbal fights.
Has friends who bully
If your child's friends seem to be bullying people, your child might be doing so as well.
New money or possessions
Just how suddenly having lost or destroyed possessions can be an indication your child is being bullied, your child having more money or things can mean they acquired it through bullying.
Detention
Bullies are often sent to the principal's office or get detention more often.
Blames others
This can include blaming others for their problems, but not being willing to take responsibility for their actions is another sign of bullying.
Worried about reputation
It's normal to think about how others perceive you, but being overly competitive and worrying about their reputation or popularity can be another sign of bullying.
