Schools

Schools Super: District Took Middle School Fight 'Seriously'

Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss reassures audience about the district's reaction after a bathroom fight left students seriously injured.

Hauppauge School District Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss addressed the issue of last week's Middle School altercation, which led to serious injuries during a fight in a boys' bathroom, at a board of education meeting Tuesday night.

"I think it's important for everyone to know that the school district took the situation very seriously," she said.

She explained that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act does not allow administrators to share with the public ramifications or specifics on how school officials deal with those types of behavior issues.

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"No one was sweeping anything under the rug and if there was a lack of comment, it's because we can't comment on people's children," she said. "Just know that we did address the situation and did take it seriously."

The superintendent explained that initial bullying between the two students began over social media. Those tensions escalated into the physical fight that took place in the school last week, she said.

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She added that there is a certain irony of when the fight occurred, as the school district had held an anti-bullying presentation that Wednesday at the Middle School.

John Halligan visited both the High School and Middle School to tell "Ryan's Story." Ryan was Halligan's son who killed himself after severe cyberbullying. 

Halligan's focus, in speaking to the parents, teachers and students in the room, was on what he would have done differently, had he been more aware of what was taking place online.

District officials passed out a list of Halligan's suggestions on how parents can talk to their children and take an active role in their actions on social media at the board meeting. Those suggestions will also be posted on the district's website.


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