By Mary Rarick
So many of you have asked about how my son’s doing and what has happened to him since he was threatened at school a couple of months ago. (See Twenty-Four Hours Later.) Since, by her own admission the perpetrator tried to choke him, two charges were brought against her by the school. She subsequently wasn’t allowed to return to school until she received appropriate evaluations and assistance to deal with her overwhelming thoughts.
Overall, I’ve been pleased with the way in which the high school administration has dealt with the matter, particularly the way in which they’ve kept me informed while maintaining the other student’s privacy. It’s also been re-assuring that they seem to “get” the variety of often conflicting emotions that my son feels: empathy for the girl whom he’d still prefer to consider a friend, fear of being hurt by her, as well as the fear of being ridiculed by his peers.
The other student just came back to school the week before last. She has an adult “escort” with her at all times. She and my son are in no classes together. She’s been directed not to approach or speak with him at all.
Thank you all for your words of advice and your good wishes.
