When we work together, we can end bullying and retaliation

Updated 2/27/2025 to better protect identities from ongoing retaliation.

Lewis Middle School near Allied Gardens appears to be experiencing pervasive harassment of black, disabled, and Jewish persons. Civil rights complaints have been filed and are being investigated. The Administration of San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) appears to take insufficient steps to prevent harassment of students and retaliates against families and employees who speak up.

This is a call for change, community support, community action, and protection of civil rights.

This isn't just a them or an us problem. This is a collective community problem. It belongs to all of us in the larger San Diego community. With your collective support, we believe we can take steps towards breaking the cycles that quiet victims, silence whistleblowers, and perpetuates harm.

California has one of the worst bullying problems in the country

Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics suggests that in 2019, about 20% of U.S students aged 12-18 reported being bullied. In fact, according to data at innerbody.com, California ranks number 2 in the country for bullying on school grounds and 9th in the country for overall bullying problems. Data from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) indicates that in 2022-2023, California had an average of 385 students per counselor. The ceiling recommendation is 250:1.

This is a problem for every parent, teacher, school employee, and child living in San Diego.

Let's work together to change it.

1. We call upon Lewis Middle School to hire one more full-time counselor, which would bring their student-to-counselor ratio to an estimated 243:1. We can no longer tolerate insufficient staffing at Lewis Middle School. Show head counselor of Lewis Middle School, Dina Weiss, your support. Her contact information is available on the Lewis Middle School website.
2. We call upon Principal Justin Phillips to make a statement to the public about the racist, ableist, and antisemitic incidents at Lewis Middle School and affirm to the public what actions are being taken to end bullying and retaliation (added 3/27/2025).
3. We call upon the San Diego Education Association and SDUSD to bargain for comprehensive anti-bullying training for staff to ensure employees have the skills to identify, manage and prevent these incidents from occurring. We can no longer tolerate a "check-the-box" training.
4. We call upon the San Diego Education Association and SDUSD to bargain for more counselors at all of our schools. We can no longer tolerate insufficient staffing at any of our schools.
5. We call upon SDUSD, the School Board, and the Office of Investigation, Compliance, and Accountability to update their bullying policy and affirm their stance against retaliation. We can no longer tolerate bullies in our school, whether they be students or staff.
6. We call upon administration at all levels of SDUSD to end retaliation against anyone who speak up. We can no longer tolerate retaliation.
7. We call upon administration at all levels of SDUSD to immediately cease and desist the practice of sending "school police" to homes under the guise of "welfare checks."
8. We call upon members of the community to speak openly of their experiences and listen carefully and compassionately as others come forward. We can no longer tolerate silence or silencing (added 3/27/2025).
9. We call upon members of the community read Daniel Mendez' story and get involved with Cool 2 Be Kind (http://www.cool2bekind.org) and other similar organizations. We are not affiliated with nor endorsed by C2BK (added 3/27/2025).
10. We call upon members of the community to join the Community Input and Feedback Session on the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) on Tuesday, April 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Clairemont High School Cafetorium to voice your concerns about bullying, harassment, and retaliation at your school. Let's focus on bringing solutions. We can no longer tolerate obstacles.

By signing this petition, you push for a future where our children access the education and care they deserve without the fear of bullying, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

Stan with us in this fight for civil rights policy reform that protects our entire community.

Please sign this petition.