Wakefield mother alleges school failed to stop bullying of sixth-grader

Diana, a mother in Wakefield, Massachusetts, has accused Galvin Middle School of failing to protect her sixth-grade daughter from months of persistent bullying. The 12-year-old student has expressed fear of attending classes or taking the school bus, a change from her previous enthusiasm for softball and the start of her middle school years. Diana told WBZ I-Team that the harassment began when her daughter was in fifth grade and continued into the current academic year.

The threats include verbal insults and text messages sent from an unknown account to the student's phone. Diana reported that her daughter was called names such as "slut" and "whore." A male classmate allegedly told the preteen she should kill herself or that he would kill her and harm her mother. Text screenshots provided by the family contain messages stating "no one likes you" and "I hope you drown yourself." Diana described the physical incident where a classmate mocked her daughter and threw food at her in the cafeteria.

School administration claims it investigated the matter. A principal's email stated that problematic messages were found on a male classmate's phone and that the school responded according to its disciplinary rubric. A vice principal later told Diana that several students were "really mean" to her daughter and were "in trouble." The administration moved the student allegedly sending the messages out of the victim's classes, but Diana notes that the two still share a lunch period.

Diana believes the consequences imposed are insufficient. "They don't give these students consequences, you know, and I agree with her," she said. Recently, school officials suggested to Diana that her complaints were motivated by race. Diana rejected this, stating, "Everything has been documented, everything is in writing. I just want the bullying to stop."

The Wakefield schools superintendent did not respond to repeated requests for an on-camera interview from the news team. Diana has filed a formal complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The department confirmed that the complaint is currently under review.

The situation remains unresolved as the student continues to attend Galvin Middle School. Diana said her daughter should feel safe and not inadequate at school. The family continues to document the incidents while waiting for a final determination from the state education office.