JAMESTOWN – Jamestown Public School officials are looking into a series of videos posted online that appear to show a bullying incident.
School officials told WNYNewsNow they are aware of the videos and Superintendent Bret Apthorpe is investigating.
“JPS takes the safety and well being of our students very seriously whether the event occurs on school property or off,” school officials said in a statement. “We will continue to investigate this matter to make sure appropriate action is taken.”
The videos show one teen trying to rip the shirt off of another’s body before ordering him to “run home.” The teen then orders him to do ten push-ups while standing on his back. The young man, now crying, pleads with the teen to stop.
The teen, once again, orders him to take off his shirt before another teen attempts to intervene asking the teen to stop. The series of videos then ends.
WNYNewsNow’s editorial staff decided not to show the videos.
Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bret Apthorpe released the following statement Friday morning reassuring the public he will take action against the alleged bullying:
“Last night I was made aware of videos circulating on social media regarding students allegedly enrolled in our district. Jamestown Public Schools has a zero tolerance policy regarding the behavior displayed in the videos, whether it happens during the school day or after school hours.”
“My job as superintendent is to investigate any incidents in our district and take swift and appropriate disciplinary action. As a district, we are not legally allowed to share details about individual student disciplinary actions. However, I can assure the community that any situation that includes bullying and harassment will result in suspensions and/or restorative practices such as counseling, bullying prevention classes and community service.”
“I want to reassure the community that Jamestown Public Schools will never tolerate actions such as those seen in these videos, or any actions that violate our District Code of Conduct. We will always take immediate and stringent action when it comes to the safety of all students.”
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