By Dee Longfellow
Late Monday afternoon, WBBM-TV Channel 2 teased a story on its 5 p.m. news report that a petition with more than 5,000 signatures was circulating around Elmhurst, particularly among those with an interest in York High School.
The petition called for support and change regarding a recent bullying incident that reportedly took place in a bathroom at the high school.
According to the petition, started by Mary Olivia Muti who is a student at York, a classmate with Down Syndrome was “violently, physically contacted” by several students while others reportedly stood by, watched and laughed without lending any assistance to the disabled victim.
According to Muti’s petition, incidents like this have occurred “numerous times at our high school” and at other surrounding schools that Muti claims “turn a blind eye to bullying.”
“We the students of York feel compelled for immediately radical change for the better with appropriate consequences,” the petition read. “We are hoping the administration recognizes the situation and finds a consequence fitting as such. We are sick and tired of this mistreatment.”
The petition goes on to underscore the need for “a safe learning environment for all students.”
“We need more education regarding empathy, bullying, harassment, etc.,” it continued. “By signing this petition, we pray and hope to increase awareness for the special needs community at York and all students affected by bullying.
The goal of the effort was to reach 7,500 signatures and at press time, there were 6,024 and more coming in every few minutes.
Editor’s note: The full story of this incident and its subsequent resolution will be published in a future issue of the Elmhurst Independent when more details are confirmed and parties are contacted. Because this came up in the late afternoon/early evening on Monday, it was not possible to contact any School Board officials by press time.
