We are calling on Broward County Public Schools to immediately review and reform discipline policies that fail to consider context, intent, and outcome, especially when a child is injured while attempting to help another student.

An 8-year-old student at Broward County elementary school was hospitalized twice in 24 hours and required a head CT scan after being thrown to the ground while trying to help a classmate. Despite this, he was disciplined the same as the child who caused the injury.

This is not accountability. This is a failure of judgment!

Children must be taught that helping others is valued, not punished. Discipline should educate, not traumatize.

We demand policy changes that protect student safety, recognize intervention, and ensure fairness.

Timeline-

School Day:
A young female student asks my son for help retrieving her hat, which another student had taken and refused to return.

Incident:
My son attempts to help. The situation escalates. My son is thrown to a concrete surface, striking his head.

Initial School Response:
Teacher contacts parent but admits she does not know full context, incorrectly describing the incident as a “game.”

Evening:
Child exhibits abnormal behavior at grandparents’ home. Upon returning home at approximately 6:00 PM, symptoms worsen.

First ER Visit:
Emergency evaluation begins. Child later discharged.

Second ER Visit (Same Night):
Due to continued vomiting, child returns to ER and undergoes CT scan of the head.

Next Day:
Child continues vomiting at parent’s workplace. Pediatrician contacted; child evaluated due to concussion concerns.

School Outcome:
Despite injury and medical intervention, child receives disciplinary referral equal to the aggressor.