header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 28
1943 - August Rübel, owner of Rancho Camulos, is killed when the ambulance he's driving hits a German land mine in North Africa [story]
August Rubel


Commentary by Ron Bird
| Saturday, May 30, 2015

Ron BirdIt is very sad that Acton has lost another teen to suicide, the third in less than seven years.

There are no answers to this tragedy. The events that follow are always predictable. School boards and administrators cover up; the bullies run for shelter, sometimes in open sight; the family and friends grieve. We all hope the living learn just how fragile life is.

In October 2008 the first suicide happened. I was on the Acton-Agua Dulce School Board at the time, and my 13-year-old son had shared a class with the victim just four months prior. Even though my son was in a different school at the time, he told me who he thought pulled the trigger. Talking with the superintendent an hour later confirmed my son’s suspicions.

Denial of any knowledge of bullying by both his middle school and high school administrators followed. His eighth-grade teacher and an aide both admitted publicly they had witnessed the child being bullied. Psychologists were made available to both students and staff. They told the administrators not to do anything that glorifies suicide. The father wanted a plaque placed in honor of his son. This request was correctly denied.

In April 2011, the child of one of the school board members sadly took her life. A school district-sanctioned scholarship was established in the victim’s name. Somehow the board at the time didn’t realize this is more glorifying than a plaque.

Two weeks ago, the most recent tragedy occurred. The school district’s reaction to this tragedy was predictable. A school board member stated publicly: “There is no evidence that there was a cause from anything connected to the school.” How did he know that, just a couple days after the death?

In mourning, one of this child’s classmates hand-drew on a shirt a heart with the victim’s name on it and wore it to school. This child was asked to turn the shirt inside out so as not to “glorify suicide.” The child refused and was sent home; her parents contacted the media, and the story went viral. The school district’s response was denial. Do they really think a mourning 14-year-old would lie about that? They should be apologizing, not denying.

A news story comment by someone named Olive in Atlanta says it most succinctly: “Her T-shirt doesn’t glorify suicide. Those administrators are idiots.” It truly is sad that our school board does not know the difference between mourning and glorifying. And have they ever heard of the First Amendment?

The superintendent stated the obvious when he said their policies need to be updated regarding suicide prevention. As parents, we need to listen and watch out for our children. Hug them, love them and let them know they have a place to turn to. Hopefully a fourth needless, irrational act can be prevented.

Oh, and make sure to teach understanding and listening. Don’t forget that many Americans have fought and died to preserve our freedom to speak. Let the Haileys of the world mourn the loss of a friend.

 

Ron Bird is a former school board member in the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

26 Comments

  1. msc545 says:

    The lack of knowledge regarding bullying and suicide among school personnel, from teachers to the school board, is simply appalling. Keep ignoring preventative mental health and spend your money on sports, but don’t complain about the suicide rate.

  2. He doesn’t look like a teen.

  3. That is not the picture of the teen. This is the picture of Ron Bird. It’s important to real the complete story.

  4. Victoria Liberotti says:

    My brother also attended the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School Distict and committed suicide in 2006 at the age of 17. Let’s please do everything we can to help these kids, listen to them, love them, support them and not minimize the issues important to them.

  5. So are school board members and administrators essentially stating that they are so dumb and ignorant that they cannot recognize the bullying in their school???
    Maybe they should open their eyes and stop being pathetic excusers!!! Or maybe people with brains should just replace them!!!

    • msc545 says:

      They would prefer to lose a few srudents rather tan do ant screening or provide any care since these things cost money.

  6. I do not have any children. But I can say that being bullied all through school, teachers and administrators have no idea how to deal with bullies or their targets. Telling a child to grow a thicker skin, ignore them and they’ll move on to someone else is a load of crap. Teachers, aids, administrators and the entire school board need to be educated about how to deal with bullies and how to properly care for the target of the bullies.

  7. Denise Latanzi says:

    The district was following protocol established by the National Association of School Psychologists. I cannot even imagine the horror of the parents who lost their child to suicide when the story became about a child who was simply asked turn a shirt inside out, the same thing they are asked to do for any dress code violation.
    Do the schools have an obligation to be more sensitive to the needs of the family who lost their child than the one who was wearing the T-shirt? Of course, plus “free speech” has never applied to minors in a school setting.
    Should the school set their protocol using the advice of trained therapists? Of course.
    Most schools have come a long way in the last few years to address bullying. Not always far enough, but its a leap to assume that’s the reason this tragedy occurred.
    It’s really sad that people aren’t more concerned about the parents.

  8. denise monsour says:

    Thank you so much for everything you said in your article. Thank you for standing up and acknowledging the truth. It is sad Enough that my daughter was devastated at being sent home. But now for the superintendent to continue to publicly lie and say she wasnt makes it worse. Even in the private meeting we had, he continued to try to lead Hailey into saying she wasn’t really sent home. I was the one who picked her up and was told she couldn’t wear the shirt at school because it “glamorized suicide”. Hailey was given the choice to take yhe shirt off or go home. Because she chose to honor her friend, she HAD to go home. I am so disappointed in the superintendents response, I can’t see straight. I DO NOT blame the principal. She is only following instructions from her superior. A school aid saw tge shirt and instructed her to turn it inside out. Hailey refused, and was sent to Ms. Freeman who told her to ” think on it” and sent her to the principal who in turn followed the “guidelines set forth by tge board. Something is serious wrong.

  9. My kids grew up in this school district. Bullying was very common, with teachers at times giving bullies support with by laughing with them. I pulled my kids out and homeschooled them, after several attempts at reporting to the school about bullying behavior. It was not only denied, but blamed on my child…”maybe he should toughen up…boys will be boys…it’s not that bad. ..your child is over sensitive”…etc..I wouldn’t send any child to these schools….find another alternative if you can….

    • The fix to bullying starts in the home of the bully! Parenting once informed that they are raising a bully, they can work on the problem. The parents of the one being bullied can also get involved if the school sees it happening and let’s them know. A good home life builds confidence too for the teen.

    • I agree, but the school needs to notify the parents of said bully…it doesn’t even make it that far. I as a parent was able to contact one of the bullies parents, who were upset and tried to do the right thing. However, because the school refused to admit that there was a problem, and to punish this bully, the bullying became worse…

  10. Schools talk about anti-bullying buy they turn away all the time. So much for their help…..

  11. Molly Flores Molly Flores says:

    This a great story! Finally someone is writing the truth ! @sctv Santa Clarita, You should ask President Amanda Buchan of The Agua Dulce Woman’s club about the bullying that they are covering up. Make sure you ask her who the Agua Dulce Royal Court is being lead by and what they are doing about the young woman in their court who is a cyber bully, and why they are angry that the girl who is being bullied is speaking out! They are so angry that they are going back on the contract and not paying scholarship money as promised to the bullied girl! .. I will private message you more information! Would love for you to see how they are dealing with an in house case of bullying!
    Administration is failing! Please private message me your email:)

    Or contact Please contact Annaya Zubick , Olga Zubick or myself
    Molly Flores

  12. Molly Flores Molly Flores says:

    This a great story! Finally someone is writing the truth ! @sctv Santa Clarita, You should ask President Amanda Buchan of The Agua Dulce Woman’s club about the bullying that they are covering up. Make sure you ask her who the Agua Dulce Royal Court is being lead by and what they are doing about the young woman in their court who is a cyber bully, and why they are angry that the girl who is being bullied is speaking out! They are so angry that they are going back on the contract and not paying scholarship money as promised to the bullied girl! .. I will private message you more information! Would love for you to see how they are dealing with an in house case of bullying!
    Administration is failing! Please private message me your email:)

    Or contact Please contact Annaya Zubick , Olga Zubick or myself
    Molly Flores

  13. Ken Pfalzgraf says:

    Coverage of the Town Hall meeting regarding this issue by the Agua Dulce Acton Country Journal is here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wvuirw47phy13ug/scan0007.pdf?dl=0

  14. So very sad. There is a great book out called The Will To live. Written by a father who lost his son almost 5 years ago. Started a foundation . Great book. Written by John Trautwein

  15. Anais Medford says:

    Agua Dulce is not the only local district that deny their bullying issues. Districts like Saugus Union do to. The School Districts often deny or limit the bullying issues. In fact, I feel that they do a cover up and and put their circle of wagon around the bully, especially if the bully is an administrator, teacher, staff member, (child or friends of the child) of someone closely connected to the District.
    My child has been bullied repeatedly both psychologically and physically on multiple occasions. Despite my repeated efforts to report each time it happened, nothing much was done and the bullying continued. It’s a shame and a crime (literally and figuratively) that the Districts do this, not to mention a violation of Civil Rights. The Federal Law mandates that the School Districts appropriately respond to and proactively respond to bullying issues with appropriate assessments, counseling, and punishments of the bullies (and effective & research based proactive anti-bullying programs), but this does not often happen in reality.
    Bullying does not allow a child access to appropriate education. Bullying has harmful and damaging short term and long term consequences to education and pyschological state of the student.
    Parents have to speak up and advocate for their child.
    Here are some helpful sources:
    http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/se/prevbully.asp
    http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201010.html
    http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-bullying-201410.pdf

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024
Spring heralds a time of renewal and rejuvenation, not just in the natural world, but within our homes and lives as well.
Tuesday, Apr 23, 2024
Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a statement in support of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Officer’s presentation of a $45.4 billion budget for the forthcoming 2024-25 fiscal year.
Monday, Apr 22, 2024
Recently I had the opportunity, along with spcaLA President Madeline Bernstein and Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA President Nikole Bresciani, to meet with NBC 4 reporter Kathy Vara to discuss the current challenges facing animal sheltering organizations.
Monday, Apr 22, 2024
As city manager for 12 years now and a longtime resident of Santa Clarita, I am always proud to see how our community continues to grow.
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024
Supervisor Barger issued the following statement today, after the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to implement the Rental Housing Habitability Program
Monday, Apr 15, 2024
Cowboy Festival weekend is upon us!

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1943 - August Rübel, owner of Rancho Camulos, is killed when the ambulance he's driving hits a German land mine in North Africa [story]
August Rubel
1971 - Tejon Ranch Co. allows Fire Dept. to torch the historic Hotel Lebec [story]
Lebec Hotel fire
In the Roaring ’20s in the big city, if there’s enough “razzle dazzle,” you just might get away with murder. That’s the premise of the hit musical “Chicago,” which has enjoyed success for nearly 50 years, and was based on true-crime stories of a century ago.
May 2-4: ‘Chicago’ On Stage at West Ranch High School
California Institute of the Arts will present the annual CalArts Expo on Saturday, May 2. The Expo is an institute-wide event featuring interdisciplinary creative work from the CalArts community, ranging from current students to internationally renowned faculty and alumni creators.
May 2: Annual Cal Arts Expo Open to the Public
Blue Heat, the Saugus High School show choir team, ended its competition season on April 12 with a first-place finish in the mixed division Tier IV at John Burroughs Music Showcase 2024 held in Burbank. The team also won the awards for Best Musicianship and Best Showmanship.
Saugus High Show Choir Captures Awards at Music Showcase
Against a backdrop of cinematic magic at Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California Institute of the Arts honored the transformative power that philanthropy has had in nurturing the dreams of CalArts students.
CalArts Honors Scholarship Donors at Nickelodeon Event
Two classic one-act comedies written by the late James McLure are coming to The Main in Old Town Newhall for a two-weekend run starting Friday, May 10.
May 10: Two Classic One Act Comedies Open at The Main
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and the County Film Office, in partnership with Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Chair Lindsey P. Horvath and Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, unveiled a new $4.1 million grant program to provide relief to small and micro businesses affected by both COVID-19 and the 2023 Hollywood double strikes.
$4.1 Million Grant Program for Small, Micro Businesses in L.A. County
Join the Saugus Instrumental Music Program at Saugus High School for a fun community event. Get ready, Santa Clarita, for an unforgettable morning of shopping, entertainment and support. The Saugus Instrumental Music Program Rummage Sale, where treasures abound and bargains await will be held Saturday, June 8, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
June 8: Saugus High Instrumental Music Program Rummage Sale
The Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates invite residents of the Santa Clarita Valley to the annual Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House event to be held Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 11: Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House
1906 - Bobby Batugo, World Champion Mixologist in the 1970s, born in The Philippines [story]
Bobby Batugo
Starting Monday, April 29, construction on the South Fork Trail will begin to replace a portion of the lodgepole fencing, the city of Santa Clarita announced.
South Fork Trail Construction to Begin April 29
College of the Canyons dual-sport athlete Sam Regez will continue his career at University of Portland with plans to run on both the cross country and track and field programs.
COC Standout Sam Regez Signs with University of Portland
An entertainment industry initiative to support the voices of California State University, Northridge film and TV students was celebrated with a recent screening of stories they created. 
‘Changing Lenses’ Initiative Lends Voice to CSUN Film, TV Students
How important is Film and Tourism to the Santa Clarita Valley Economy? 
SCVEDC Delves into Santa Clarita Film, Tourism Impact
Earlier this month, a team of biology students at The Master’s University won a distinguished award at one of the oldest intercollegiate research conferences in the country.
TMU Biology Students Earn Recognition at Annual Research Conference
Lisa Zamroz has announced her intent to step down as the head coach of The Master's University's women's basketball team effective July 1, 2024.
TMU Women’s Basketball Coach to Resign
Spring heralds a time of renewal and rejuvenation, not just in the natural world, but within our homes and lives as well.
Cameron Smyth | Spring Cleaning Your Neighborhood
College of the Canyons student-athletes Gigi Garcia (softball) and Hannes Yngve (men's golf) have been named the COC Athletic Department's Women's and Men's Student-Athletes of the Week for the period running April 15-20.
COC Names Gigi Garcia, Hannes Yngve Athletes of the Week
California Institute of the Arts' Community Weekend kicks off on Friday, April 26 and runs through Sunday, April 28.
April 26-28: Community Weekend Returns to CalArts
May is National Foster Parent Appreciation Month! Celebrate by applying to become a resource parent and fostering or foster-adopting siblings.
May 16: Children’s Bureau Foster Care Orientation
Santa Clarita resident Edina Lemus has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California in Lancaster by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom Appoints SCV Resident Veterans Home Administrator
The California Department of Transportation has scheduled Lane Closures on the northbound and southbound State Route 14 between Technology Drive in Palmdale and Avenue A in Lancaster, closing up to three lanes.
Caltrans Announces SR-14 Lane Closures
1906 - Bercaw General Store opens in Surrey (Saugus) [story]
Bercaw Store
SCVNews.com